Lighthouse Lenses Story of Augustine-Jean Fresnel Augustine-Jean Fresnel (1788 - 1827) Augustine-Jean Fresnel (pronounced Frey-nel) was born in France in 1788. He was an excellent Mathematics student. He was too sickly to go to war after school so he got a job with the French Department of Bridges and Highways. Augustine worked very hard and got many promotions. He was also interested in light and optics. He did many experiments with light and optics and found out important information. Scientists laughed at him because they thought he was wrong. Soon he was able to prove his work and was rewarded with a new job. Augustine became the secretary to the Commissioner of Lighthouses. He was able to devote more time to his science experiments. It was during these experiments that he developed a special lens for lighthouses. This lens was named the Fresnel lens. It was such a vast improvement that soon nearly all European lighthouses had Fresnel lenses installed. Eventually, all the world's lighthouses had Fresnel lenses. Vocabulary (Words used in the Fresnel story above.) Lens - two or more pieces of glass or plastic which when molded together can change the path of light and make it brighter. Sickly - not well, unhealthy. Optics - anything that has to do with the science of using light. An optic is the kind of light used in a lighthouse. Developed - to make or create an idea or invention step by step. Vast - very big. Installed - put into.           These are 2 kinds of Fresnel lenses.   Questions about Augustine-Jean Fresnel Find the answers by reading The Story of Augustine-Jean Fresnel Fresnel was born in a) United States b) France c) Spain. Fresnel was excellent in a) Reading b) Math c) Social Studies. Fresnel made special a) Lenses b) Bricks c) Windows. At first, scientists did not a) Hear b) See c) Believe Fresnel. Fresnel lenses were first put into a) American b) European c) Asian lighthouses.

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