Lenses, Christiaan Huygens, The Hague, 1655 - 1688 Inv V09184, V09185, V09109, V09190, V09192, V09186

Christiaan Huygens always wanted the very best. The lenses on the market did not meet his requirements. Therefore he decided to make his own lenses for his telescopes and microscopes.In order to grind lenses Christiaan needed grinding bowls. He was given the first by a friend of his father's, later Christiaan also made these for himself.For grinding Christiaan first took a piece of glass. On the back he stuck a small wooden handle with pitch and ash. Then he filled the grinding bowl with a layer of grinding powder. By moving the piece of glass around the grinding bowl with small circular movements the lens was formed. Finally the lens was polished and signed.The grinding of lenses was a time-consuming process. Christiaan was undaunted and designed a lens-grinding machine. That made grinding lenses a lot quicker.