1921 AO LENSOMETER
Landmark Designation Ceremony
March 25, 2023
The device that revolutionized the optical industry
Event recap: April 2023
1921 AO Lensometer received “Landmark Recognition” by ASME
In late March 2023, the 1921 AO Lensometer was honoured as a “Landmark Designation” from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Together with the sponsorship of the Optical Heritage Museum, a dinner and awards ceremony was hosted, which also including a “night at the museum” immersion experience – all in celebration of this groundbreaking device.
Dr. Estelle Glancy & Dr. Edgar Tillyer are the minds behind the AO Lensometer’s 10 year development
The AO Lensometer provided a quick and accurate means to verify the power of an eyeglass lens and due to the affordability and ability to mass produce, revolutionized the Ophthalmic lens industry. AO’s chief scientists Dr. Edgar Tillyer and Dr. Estelle Glancy were intimately involved in the engineering effort of this device, which took over 10 years to perfect.
Due to this impact on the optical industry, the ASME History & Heritage Committee deemed the AO Lensometer worthy of receiving landmark status. The landmark status indicates that an artifact is representative of both a significant step forward in the evolution of mechanical engineering and is the best known example of its kind. This recognition has only been awarded to 278 artefacts globally since the inception of the “History & Heritage Committee” in 1971.
The road to hosting this event was nearly as long as the Lensometer took to develop – a road that began back in 2018 when several members of ASME Worcester Chapter toured the museum. Upon hearing the importance of the AO Lensometer, Dan Smith (ASME) suggested the museum apply for landmark status, which was initially turned down. A year later, Terry Reynolds (Former ASME) had visited an eyeglass doctor and saw a Lensometer in use. This prompted himself and Dan to resurrect the initial application and with their support, Landmark Status was awarded in December 2019.
Then Covid arrived…
A new exhibit celebrating the innovations of the optical industry is now open at the Optical Heritage Museum
Meanwhile, plans to create a celebration worthy of this recognition were being made and then paused. ZEISS, the museum’s primary sponsor provided resources to plan and execute the event, but with indefinite travel bans globally, the event was put on hold once more. After a series of dates had been floated in 2022, the official date of 25th March 2023 had been finally set – 5 years after the process first began.
With the date set, plans were discussed on how best to celebrate not just the AO Lensometer, but also celebrate the many other innovations the lensometer laid the foundation for. Among the plans were a dedicated “special exhibit” gallery, housing the evolution of Lensometers from prototypes of 1910 to digital options from the 70’s, and also an exciting new exhibit – a history of optical innovations from the leading eyewear companies from the past 200 years. This is a particularly exciting exhibit as it embodies the philosophy of the museum in one simple display. Incidentally, both exhibits are open to the public today.
Karen Ohland (ASME) & Dick Whitney (ZEISS) unveil the commemorative plaque
After months of planning, the Landmark Designation Ceremony finally took place with 60+ attendees travelling from all across the globe. Guests ranged from esteemed members of optical trade media, members of ASME, industry experts & representatives and old friends. Among the guests were also Martin Dragon Jr. and Peter Clark – two engineers who developed electronic Lensometers throughout the 1970’s.
Aside from the Lensometer, the most important aspect of the evening was the food. Gabriel McCarthy (Youghal Realty) along with Michael Johnson (Stonewall Grille) provided the outstanding, locally sourced food selection which hit the spot just right, setting up a perfect start to the evening.
With bellies full and drinks flowing, it was time to commence the ceremony. Darius Panozzo (ZEISS) hosted the ceremony and invited a range of guest speakers to share their thoughts on the lensometer and how it has affected the industry. Karen Ohland (Chapter President: ASME) and Marty Ross (Chair, History & Heritage Committee: ASME) both spoke of the introduction to the History and Heritage Landmarks with a special plaque unveiled for permanent viewing, alongside the original 1921 AO lensometer.
Andy Karp & Marge Axelrad of Jobson Media
Dick Whitney (Optical Heritage Museum) was also invited to talk, sharing his own personal history with the device. This was a particularly special moment for Dick as his father learnt the use and design of the Lensometer from Tillyer and Glancy themselves, passing direct knowledge to him. This knowledge has proved invaluable given his involvement in Eyeglass Standards has led him to use the Lensometer frequently throughout his career.
For added spice, Andy Karp and Marge Axelrad (Jobson Optical Media) hosted a “fireside chat”, discussing how revolutionary the Lensometer was, when it was introduced to the market over 100 years ago, before Southbridge Town Council Chair, John Daniel announced a proclamation that as of this day, Saturday 25th March 2023 is to be known as “American Optical Wellsworth Lensometer Day”. An unexpected and humbling honour - a true highlight of the evening.
John Daniel: Town of Southbridge Council Chair
Karen Roberts (ZEISS) wrapped up the ceremony, highlighting how the optical industry faces the same issues 100 years on, despite the modern advancements in technology, before inviting guests into the “night at the museum” immersion experience.
Thanks to the work of Boston Event Lighting, the museum came to life with sound, projection and coloured lighting, to represent the full light spectrum – a cornerstone of the optics industry. Guests could get up close and personal with the 1921 AO Lensometer, as it was displayed proudly at the centre of the museum, representing the importance the device has played in advancing the whole industry.
The Landmark Designation Ceremony was considered a wide success, not only for the museum, but for the town of Southbridge too. Several international visitors descended on the town as did people from the local region along with international coverage of the event.
To make this celebration possible, the Optical Heritage Museum would like to thank:
The many wonderful museum volunteers
And
Our special guests who attended, making the event what it was.
Watch the event recap video
View the Gallery
About the ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.
You might also like…
The First Lady of Optics
The Estelle Glancy story
Edgar Tillyer
What do we know about the man who developed the most revolutionary device in optical history?