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Burning lens built in 1782 by William Parker
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Burning lens built in 1782 by William Parker
Burning lens built in 1782 by William Parker, the London instrument maker. According to Parker, the optical glass melted platinum in 30 seconds. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry from Abraham Rees Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1806
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Abraham Arts Burning Cyclopedia Dictionary Engineering Instrument Lens Maker Melting Optical Parker Platinum Rees Revolution Sciences Universal
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This image showcases the Burning Lens, an extraordinary optical invention created by the renowned London instrument maker, William Parker, in the year 1782. The Burning Lens is depicted in this meticulously crafted copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry, as it appeared in Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown in London during the early 19th century. William Parker's Burning Lens was a remarkable achievement in the field of optics, as it was designed to melt metal, specifically platinum, using the intense heat generated by the lens. According to Parker's claims, the metal would melt in a mere 30 seconds under the lens' focus. This groundbreaking invention was a testament to the ingenuity and scientific progress of the time, contributing significantly to the burgeoning Industrial Revolution. The intricate details of the Burning Lens are beautifully captured in this illustration, with its glass components and metal casing showcased in exquisite detail. The image serves as a reminder of the fascination and wonder that surrounded scientific discoveries during this period, as well as the pivotal role that inventors and innovators played in shaping the world we live in today. The Burning Lens is an enduring symbol of the ingenuity and curiosity that characterized the 18th and 19th centuries, a time when the boundaries of human knowledge were being pushed and the potential for new discoveries seemed limitless.
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