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Institute of Applied Optics papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA200

Biographical / Historical

Following a decade of discussions among the Optical Society of America, President Rush Rhees, Bausch & Lomb, and Eastman Kodak about the development of a site for the study of optics, the Institute of Applied Optics at the University of Rochester opened in 1929. T. Russell Wilkins was the first acting director, and among the early faculty members were Rudolf Kingslake, A.M. Taylor, Ernst Petry, and Gustave Fassin. Until 1936, the Institute included an optometry program. In 1939, the name of the Institute of Applied Optics (which suggested a focus on the application of optical concepts) was changed to the Institute of Optics in order to accommodate more topics of study.

Scope and Contents note

Contains publications, correspondence, and other materials related to the development and formation of the Institute of Applied Optics. Publications include course bulletins and articles from other institutions in the early 1920s, optical journals, and Institute publicity. Topics of correspondence include hiring new faculty and the study of optometry at the Institute. Correspondents include President Rush Rhees, T. Russell Wilkins, and Edward Bausch. Some of this correspondence is contained in a binder that is labeled Optometry but also includes materials about other aspects of applied optics. Other materials include authorization forms requesting work from the optical shop signed by Brian O’Brien.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1917-1937

Language of Materials

English

Extent

0.88 cubic feet (3 containers)

Restrictions on Access

For access to this collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu) at least two business days prior to your planned visit.

Please note: Some materials may be restricted or require permission for use.

Restrictions on Use

To request reproductions or permission to publish materials from the collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu). Researchers may be responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Framed authorization forms requesting work from the optical shop, signed by Brian O’Brien, were received November 28, 2001 from Brian Thompson.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Institute of Applied Optics Papers, UA200, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Bibliography

A Jewel in the Crown. Ed. Carlos R. Stroud. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press, 2004. Print.

Kingslake, Hilda G."Institute of Optics 1929-1979, a Brief Commemorative." Applied Optics 18.19 (1979), pages 3223-3229. Accessed 29 March 2018.

May, Arthur J."The Changing College." A History of the University of Rochester, 1850-1962. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester, 1977. Accessed 29 March 2018.

"University of Rochester Dedicates Goergen Hall". University of Rochester Newscenter. University of Rochester, 16 May 2007. Accessed 28 March 2018.


Title
Institute of Applied Optics papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the University of Rochester Archives Library

Contact:
Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd.
Rochester New York 14627-0055 USA