Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-11
TELESCOPE DISKS
MADE IN UNITED States
Remarkable Feat in Optical Glass
Manufacture Aided by Novel
Electric Furnace.

large telescope disks arc being
made in the United States. us all
mechanical difficulties have been
overcome. according to an
neni made today by Dr. George w.
Morey;. a member OF the American
This remarkubic achievement is
due to preparation and handling OF
the ingredients required for pure and
experiments begun at the outbreak
OF the world war. under the aus
plceS OF the EcophySical laboratory
OF the Carnegie Institution, In Wash
inEton.
Before 1914 practically all the OPP
ticai glass i'll the United states was
United states entered the battle for
democracy her army and navy used
HELD SlaSscs, range finders tele-
sIops n other Instruments of pre-
Toned beyond the Rhine. Private
citizens even loaned or contributed
opera glasses and binoculars to equip
the lighting forces OF The United
States.
Can Get Proper Glass Vow.
Optical glass OF fine quality. how
side OF the water. The climax OF
this achievement OF Industrial chem
istrE has been reached by Amcri-
lenses for telescopes. At first disks
which strengthened our view were
made three or four inches in dame
sSr. M.enn,iy q spseiai four and
Ariz.
The first nine and onc-half-inch
six others have since been made and
delivered: As their d~iameters IN
crease; disks are made with greater
1920. the first perfect ,wcive-inch
disk was furnished, and a large op-
teal glass corporation now lists this
size for Short-timc delivery.
The next size was n
tWentE iich disk. in the manufacture
OF which the problem was still more
complex; Several ilawless ones were
healing process. American ingenuity
was brought into play 10 devise a
means OF slowly cooling these i'm
mcnsc plates o: glass so that they
might be free from tina strain so
likely to destroy them. Experiments
oN scientists OF the g~eophysical lab
oratorE showed exactly how slowly
their temperatures must he lowered.
aEi the cooling schedule outlined
was closely followed. Owing. how
.veT. 10 the extreme cold weather of
This schedule could not he followed.
One splendid disk strained AMI broke
Just when nearly ready to be taken
Special Furnace DcsIsncd.
Equipment hitherto used was then
strapped and al electric furnacn was
HpvytA'L! VcS'Sncu 10 meet the needs
OF the problem by experts ot an cleo
tric COMPANY General i:lcctric). This
device is thoroughly insulated and
provided with AN automatic appliance
which will hold the temperature aD-
SoiutelN constant 10 a fraction OF a
degree while the glass is being
treated to rcmove strain. The tenn
pcraiurc can be dropped a few de-
SrecS Il week.
With the aid OF this furnace. now
u process "i constructions, ii is be-
way OF tire american manufacture
OF the largest disks will be over
come, Orders have already been ac-
,cpted for the production OF several
large guaranteed disks. including one
pair OF the ,eishtccn-inch size for
s!N-inch disk for Il rejecting telc-
scope. The %furnace will receive the
toEiE-inch size. When that aoai has
been reached the company Viii con-
na!lE the largest and finest disks in
the world viii be American made.
With such progress AS this. chem
ists fee! thht american manufacture
scopes. no matter how large such
disks may he, have proved them
HclNeS capaoIe of supplying Ameri
rian needs, and that this industry.
therefore. is entitled to the full pro-
legion contemplated in Bill H.. Il.
1855. whose aim ia the establish
ncnt and maintenance In the United
states OF tho manufacture of labora-
tory glassware, chemical porcclainS,
optlcal glass and scientific and sur
Sicai instruments, thereby contribute
ing 70 the chemical Independence OF
the United States This bill passed
the House OF Representatives by a
decisive vote. !; has received 4 fla
I.ortbIc recommendation from the
senate Finance committee. apd will
come before the Senate at its next