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Glass for lighthouses |
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DESCRIPTION Lighthouse Optic from the Longstone Lighthouse, Farne Islands
MANUFACTURER Chance Brothers & Co, Smethwick, Britain
INVENTOR/DESIGNER Augustine-Jean Fresnel (1788-1827), French
DATE 1873
MATERIAL Glass, iron, copper alloy, plastic
DIMENSIONS 4037x2000x2000
PROVENANCE 1873-1952: Longstone Lighthouse, Farne Islands, Northumberland ; 1952: Gift from Elder Brethen of Trinity House, Tower Hill, London.
LOCATION Thinktank
CAT. NO 1952.S.00029.00001 | |
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Lighthouse Optic | © Thinktank Trust | Come and see it in the Making Things gallery at Thinktank
The industrial traditions established by Boulton and Watt were developed by other Birmingham family businesses.
This ‘Fresnel’s lens’ lighthouse optic was used for almost 80 years at the Longstone Lighthouse. It was made in 1873 by Chance Brothers & Co - a family business for six generations. Unusually, the firm completed the entire manufacturing process. Glass entered its works in the form of sand and alkali, and left as a finished and polished product.
The Chance family were clever businesspeople. Birmingham industries have always depended on the inventiveness and hard work of individuals... MORE |
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