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Optical Society of America, Rochester Section papers addition

 Collection
Identifier: D.423

Biographical / Historical note

When World War I began in 1914, the United States, though initially neutral, found itself cut off from Germany's high-quality optical instruments and materials. At this time Rochester was the center of the nation's nascent but growing optical industry, boasting several well-known companies producing spectacles and other optical equipment. Rochester also had a variety of scientific societies, but none for this particular field, which was still quite new. On November 18, 1915 a meeting was called at the University of Rochester Department of Physics for the purposes of discussing plans for the formation of an optical society." Scientists from both Bausch & Lomb and Kodak were present. Things moved quickly, and the name "The Association for the Advancement of Applied Optics" was voted upon five days later.

By February 1916 the AAAO was already successful enough to warrant the establishment of a national group. The chairman was authorized to contact prominent scientists across the country who might be interested. Response was positive, and the Optical Society of America was founded in March during an Executive Council meeting of the AAAO. The OSA's constitution and by-laws were adopted from those of the AAAO and provided for local sections. Still, Rochester remained the only one until after World War II. The original AAAO had recognized itself as such in June 1916 and changed its name to the Rochester Section, Optical Society of America.

Related Archival Materials

See also: Optical Society of America (Rochester Section) Papers.

Reference: Hilda Kingslake, History of the Optical Society of America, 1916-1966 (Journal of the Optical Society of America)

Title
Optical Society of America, Rochester Section papers addition
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 Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA