Peter Dollond
Peter Dollond | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 2 July 1820[1] | (aged 89)
Known for | Achromatic lens |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Optics |
Peter Dollond (2 February 1731 – 2 July 1820)
Biography
Dollond was born in
after a much later 1893 patent.Peter Dollond worked at first silk weaving with his father, but his father's passion for optics inspired him so much that in 1750 Peter quit the silk business and opened an optical instruments shop in Kennington, London. After two years, his father gave up silk, too, and joined him.
Dollond telescopes, for
The Peter Dollond compound chest microscope is based on improvements to the Cuff-style microscope introduced by British scientific instrument designers Edward Nairne and Thomas Blunt around 1780. Another design was for the Peter Dollond compound monocular Eriometer around 1790 used to accurately measure the thickness and size of wool fibres.
After successfully defending a legal challenge to the patent he held for the achromatic lens the business prospered and he successfully sued his rivals for patent infringement.[4] Dollond's reputation, especially with his father being a Fellow of the Royal Society as a result of his development and patenting of the achromat, provided the company with the de facto right of refusal on the best optical flint glass.[6] This privilege permitted Dollond to maintain an edge in quality over competitor's telescopes and optical instruments for many years.
Notable customers also included:[4]
Dollond & Co merged with Aitchison & Co in 1927 to form Dollond & Aitchison, the well-known British high street chain of opticians.
Peter Dollond's wife was Ann Phillips and they had two daughters, Louise and Anne.[7]
References
- ^ required.)
- ^ Master.), William WALKER (Drawing (1864). Memoirs of the distinguished Men of Science of Great Britain living in the years 1807, 8. With an introduction by R. Hunt. Compiled and arranged by W. W. With an engraving.
- ISBN 0-7153-6354-9
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74175-383-7.
- ^ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-7134-0727-3
- ISBN 978-0-387-31022-0. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
External links
Media related to Peter Dollond at Wikimedia Commons