Record

Telescope (detail)

< 1 of 1 > Back

probably made in London

Postcard of Telescope (detail).
000-190-002-285-C
© National Museums Scotland

Telescope (detail)

This is a detail of a refracting telescope made around 1780, and retailed by the younger George Adams (1750-1795), a scientific instrument maker based in London.

The detail shows the signature 'G ADAMS, LONDON' on the telescope's barrel.

Despite Issac Newton's optical researches, which actively hindered the development of the refracting telescope, some investigations into improving the image were made in the early 18th century. Although John Dollond (1706-61) did important work in this area, and was persuaded by his son Peter to obtain a patent, this was disputed - although not very successfully - by other London opticians. In 1766 and 1771 George Adams (the Elder), who died in 1772, advertised telescopes 'with 5 or 6 glasses' at a guinea (£1-05) a foot.


Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID: 000-190-002-285-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1967.17
Date: Around 1780
c. 1780
Material: Brass telescope / wooden tripod / wooden box. Inscription: G * ADAMS, LONDON
Dimensions: Box 4.75" H x 44.50" L x 9.00" W
What: Telescope / tripod / box
Subject: 3. ASTRONOMY, Refracting telescopes (Departmental Classification)
22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
Who: G. Adams, London (Maker)
Where: England, London
Event:
Description: Telescope with tripod, in wooden box, by G. Adams, London, c. 1780
References:
  • For George Adams (father and son), see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, pp 2-3 
  • For the invention of the achromatic telescope, see King, Henry C., The History of the Telescope. New York: 1955, chapter 8, pp 144-75 
Translations:
Related Records:
< 1 of 1 > Back
 
Powered by Scran