1. American Optical History Highlights/ “AO” Museum Status Copyright 2010 - the Optic0al Heritage Museum Click mouse for each slide Rev 3-Mar-10

2. AO History and the AO Museum past, present and future… Intro / my background Brief look at AO’s contributions Evolution of AO Southbridge Museum info – founding, evolution, present, future, & seeking your feedback… and AO Events (if time permits)

3. AO History and the AO Museum past, present and future… Intro / my background 1954 Photo – AO Main Plant (Waiting for Dad to get out of work at AO

4. At my first desk. Have I changed that much?

5.  Ophthalmic Optics  Eyeglass Frames  Safety Eyewear  Fiber Optics  Military Contributions to WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm  Instruments  Medical Devices  Todd – AO movie projection / sound Notable AO Contributions in many fields:

6. Tillyer Corrected Curve Series First US Progressive lens patent – Dr. Estelle Glancy in 1924 First Minus Toric Lens Series Implementation of Franklin Style Executive Bifocal First plastic Photochromic Lens - Photolite Permalite – Industry first Abrasion Resistant tintable coating AO Compact – first PAL designed for Small Frames AO Ophthalmic Lens “Firsts”

7. AO Safety Products Firsts First Safety Goggle First Heat Tempered Glass Lens (added impact resistance lens strength) Invented Calobar and Cruxite Fulvue Frame (first with temples attached at the top) Executive Safety lens

8. AO Instrument Firsts: The Lensometer Additive Phoroptor Additive Trial Sets Non Contact Tonometer (1972) Cardiac defibrillator Demand pacemaker Solid State Laser

9. Fiber Optics Events at AO Southbridge Early 1953 Dr. Brian O’Brien joins AO (Todd-AO his top priority) Sept 1954- AO /CIA Hires Will Hicks Mid –1957 Image Scrambler Project ends after Hicks tells CIA code easy to break 1958 – Hicks leaves AO and Forms Mosaic Fabrications in Sturbridge 1960 – Hicks / Eli Snitzer (AO): single mode wavelength patent

11. AO Southbridge Closures AO Glass plant operation closed- 1979 AO Fiber optics sold - 1981 (now Schott Fiber Optics) AO Soft contact lens operation sold /disbanded ~1985 AO Fused Glass Bifocal operation closes - 1985 AO casting / lens mfg finish move to Tijuana – 1986, completed in 1992 AO Lens headquarters relocates from Southbridge to San Diego -1997 AO Warehouse closed -2001 AOTec Molded plastics sold in 2003 and closes 2004 AO Glass Executive Lens operation closed – 2005 AO Sunwear sold and moves to another Southbridge Location - 2006 AO Ophthalmic R&D Closed in Dec 2006 AO Safety (Aearo - 3M) Manufacturing shutdown ~2010; non mfg still employed.

12. 2010 Local businesses with AO roots include: Aearo Schott Fiber Optics Carl Zeiss Vision Gentex (Essilor) OSV

13. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Background AO Museum opened in 1983 for the AO’s 150th Anniversary One of the largest collections of Spectacle Frames and other Ophthalmic Optical items in the world (3000+ frames) Located from 1983 to 2000 in AO Main Plant Restricted access/ static display limited visitor traffic of Museum in later years during that time period. Non profit 501 3 (c) status since 1987;named Optical Heritage Museum (OHM) With demolition / construction of Southbridge Hotel in 2000, collection put in Storage on “AO complex” Dick Whitney appointed Curator in 1999; John Young original curator Board re-established in 2004 In 2006, moved collection offsite in Southbridge (12 Crane St/ 368 Main St buildings) Ruth Wells & John Young - 1983

14. Past and AO Museum Displays: Morin Jewelers (2004 Display)

15. Past and AO Museum Displays: Jacob Edwards Library (2004 Display)

16. Present Museum Display Flat Iron Bld in Southbridge– items on display since 2005 includiung George W. Wells Eyeglass lens collection from late 1800s

17. Present AO / Museum Displays: 12 Crane ST (AO room features original Herman Stoopes AO paintings, other items now on display); these are the most sought after AO items on ebay!

18. Past and Present AO / Museum Displays Jacob Edwards Library (now on display at back entrance)

19. Past AO / Museum Displays : Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center (May 2009) for Transitions Optical Academy Meetings with ~500 people attending

20. Present Museum Displays Future Of Southbridge Windows Project (AO Windows in old Robbins Building/Memorial Hall now on display)

21. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Progress / actions since ~2000 Growing the collection Significantly expanded collection by Donations of items during the past 10 years! With closure of Lens Plant Building in 2005/ AO items collected and preserved and added to collection Storage area greatly expanded, working on improved organization and cataloging. Working area, storage now occupies ~40x60 (2400 square feet)!

22. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Progress / actions since ~2000 Publicizing the collection Websites created to promote and share AO’s Heritage and the Museum collection 1.) AO history on www.dickwhitney.net (since 1999) 2.) http://www.opticalheritagemuseum.org 3.) Industry history links on OHMuseum website started 2 years ago to promote Industry interest 4.) http://www.antiquespectacles.com has AO Links 5.) Carl Zeiss Vision Worldwide Intranet now inks to OHMuseum site. (new for 2010)! Target audience of 11,000!

23. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Publicizing Collection – Cont… Eyecare Business Magazine (2004) Vision Care Products magazine (2009/2010 photos – Looking back series) AO Features published Worldwide by Carl Zeiss Vision on company intranet (My employer, formerly AO lens co) Jan 2010 Newsletter feature of OAICC (worldwide Ophthalmic Antiques Collectors group – published in UK) New publications: Southbridge News, Worcester Telegram, Our Town, Chamber Newsletter AO Reunions held every 6 months in Southbridge (Formerly at Roms, now 12 Crane St) with regular updates on Museum status & progress

24. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Talks given to local / national Groups NYC/ Las Vegas at Vision Council Forum in 2008 and 2009; planned update of AO Museum scheduled in NYC on March 18th Southbridge & Sturbridge Rotary, Lions Club, Last Green Valley Annual Meeting, Hospital Auxiliary… Ocular Heritage Society Annual Meeting at Southbridge Hotel (National group founded after 1st visit to AO Museum in 1980s)

25. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Planned future Displays: New Downtown Southbridge Windows Project displays Groundbreaking ceremony of “Swiacki AO Optical Sculpture” ; construction of this 20 foot eyeglass frame on Town Common (across from “AO Main Plant entrance” to begin this Spring!!! Mass Opticians Annual Meeting at Southbridge Hotel (Nov 2010) April 2011 Boston/ Southbridge/OSV tour & meeting of Optical Heritage Society

26. “AO” Museum Summary/ Status Permanent Home (Southbridge) still the goal, contingent on viable business plan – sustainability key factor; need sources of added revenue. Multiple business plans drafted and aspects can be used for next phase Sharing displays with other Museums also being considered Book(s) on AO achievements / history / photos/stories in planning stages to benefit the Museum Grant proposals under consideration as plans evolve and private, public and corporate revenue sources being explored. Seeking partnerships / input / resources from local, National and International sources Internet Virtual Museum & Libary, digital sharing, books, traveling displays are options to interest those outside of the region. Customize displays for Trade shows, events at our convention center are possible Advertize/ sponsor us!!! In memory of website / sponsorships! Suggestions??? Contact me at…

27. 1826 William Beecher arrives in Southbridge and opens a Jewelry and Watch Shop on Main St.; below photo is of Beecher trunk (Optical Heritage Museum collection) AO History Events Summary

28. 1833 AO’s “Birth” – Beecher and 3 apprentices make silver eyeglass frames in rooms above Jewelry Shop

29. 1839 Beecher moves to 2 Story building on corner of Chestnut and Main St. Referred to as “Old Spec Shop” Later became Hyde Tools building when AO moved to Mechanic St.

30. 1843 First steel Spectacles made in America were produced by machinery invented by Beecher

31. 1848 First gold frames made in America

32. 1850 Gold frames (14K-18K) sell for $7.50/pair

33. 1853 Frame sales nationwide total 14,919 pair

34. 1853 Old Spec Shop switches from Cohasse Brook power to steam power

35. 1864 17 year old George Wells hired by Beecher George & Brother, Hiram, hired by company now called R. H. Cole & Co., both are fired short time later George W. Wells (age 17) arrives in Southbridge with $100 in his pocket

36. 1865 George Wells rehired by R. H. Cole Daniel Wells Schreck, Direct descendant of George W. Wells (Portrait) in Southhbridge (2004)

37. 1869 – Feb 26th American Optical Company formed Gross business of $50,000 R. H. Cole offers 22 year old G. W. Wells partnership in business

38. 1871 First 3 story Wooden Structure on AO Main Plant site; drawing below shows 1872 view Cost to build = $35,000 20,700 square feet

39. 1874 AO introduces first Rimless Spectacles

40. 1884 First AO spherical lenses made Production started when Import tarriffs were imposed. Fireworks celebration in Southbridge on November 15, 1884.

41. 1891 George W. Wells becomes President of AO

42. 1892 Map of AO Southbridge MA complex

43. 1893 AO adopts Dioptric system of lens power which is now in use throughout the world AO begins to manufacture Toric lenses Torics used to correct for Astigmatism

44. AO Main Plant ~1899 before clock tower

45. 1898 U.S. Bureau of Standard accepts AO’s system of lens power

46. 1901 AO Main Plant Clock Tower

47. 1905 AO London office opens Begins its International operations

48. 1907 AO begins making Automobile goggles AO had 2000 employees with a payroll of $1,000,000

49. 1909 J.Cheney Wells founds the AO Research laboratory

50. 1910 New “Lensdale Building” built Made entirely of Cement Site of Lens Manufacturing until 2005 AO Kryptok Bifocals first Manufactured

51. 1910 -AO Power Plant Built

52. 1913 Crookes glass Later called Calobar (UV and IR Protection)

53. 1916 Dr. Edgar Tillyer hired by AO, Dr. Estelle Glancy 1 year later

54. 1916 - AO Truepower Standards Calibrated at Bureau of Standards

55. 1917 Dr. Tillyer files first Patent Use of common curves for selected powers Allowed practical manufacturing of mass produced lenses Cole’s sell final 127 shares of company stock to Wells family for $1.25 Million

56. 1917 AO Designs WWI mobile optical units Self contained eyeglass facilities for the War 2,500,000 lenses furnished to Government for War effort

57. 1919-1921 First AO LENSOMETER introduced in 1921, revolutionizing the industry Measures spectacles lens power

59. 1923 AO Establishes 114 National Branches Industrial Eye Protection Department established Wise Owl Eye Safety Program established

60. 1924 Dr. Estelle Glancy Progressive Lens Patent #1,518,405

61. 1925 AO acquires De Zeng Instrument of America Expand to Ear, Nose and Throat products

62. 1925 Tillyer Lens introduced, revolutionizes spectacle lens industry “Americanization class” at AO

63. 1926 Tillyer patents ophthalmic lens series where off-axis power & astigmatism errors were controlled

64. ~1927 AO commissions artist Norman Rockwell to paint 6 paintings for Tillyer Lens Advertising

65. 1930 High Temple Fulvue frame introduced

66. 1931 Fulvue fused ¾ segment bifocals introduced

67. 1933- AO celebrates 100 th Anniversary

68. 1935 AO acquires Spencer Lens Expands into precision optics

69. 1938 Dr. Tillyer credited with the Additive Power Phoroptor AO Bureau of Visual Science was founded

70. 1940 AO first introduces plastic safety lenses made from methyl methacrylate

71. 1941 AO Putnam Connecticut Safety Product Facility Opens Labor shortage in Southbridge causes expansion

72. 1942 AO Opens Brattleboro, Vermont facility Began to produce 18.5 Million pairs of lenses for Armed Services

73. 1943 By 1943, facility has 380 workers and produces 2 Million Safety and Aviator lenses AO provided 14 Million prescription eyeglassed to Armed Forces & still filled civilian orders WWII Prism compenstated glass goggles (Dr. Estelle Glancy)

74. 1944 AO has 45% of sales in Government contracts for War effort Sales doubled since 1934

75. 1945 AO Sight Screeners introduced to check vision Industrial vision protection plan begun – The American Plan

76. 1945 AO Monoplex Eye opens in Southbridge Produces life-like hand painted artificial eyes

77. 1946 AO begins research on Contact Lenses First Manufacture in 1947

78. 1947 AO and Polaroid produce first successful curved polarized lens

79. 1947 Metal spectacle goggles, new 10K & 14K gold alloys for frames Metal Frame Plant in Southbridge was completed

80. Old Sturbridge Village Opens- June 8, 1946 “Old Sturbridge Village traces its beginnings to the remarkable collection amassed by industrialists (AO) Albert B. and J. Cheney Wells of neighboring Southbridge. “

81. 1950 AO Products diversify Camera lenses, projectors, binoculars, molded items for automobiles

82. 1952 AO begins to manufacture Glass Executive bifocals Process and location stays the same until 2005 closing!!!

83. 1953 Quarter Century Club (25 years with company) has a record attendance of 755!

84. 1954 AO Student Microscopes introduced AO / CIA work together on Fiber Optics Will Hicks joins AO  Will 2004 AO becomes publicly owned 9000 investors buy stock in AO Advantages of Minus Toric surfaces for finished lens series proposed

85. August 19, 1955 Flood devastates area, AO considers closing

86. 1955 Flood almost closes Southbridge facility 15 feet of water where Hotel lobby is today High water mark shown at second floor window (top mark)

87. 1955 Todd – AO’ s first production Wide screen projection, improved Sound Oklahoma opens in October 1955 in NYC

88. 1955 Diamond Studded Elsa Schiaparelli designer frame commissioned

89. 1959 R&D develops Sidewinder Missile for the Military Ultra high speed camera patent & intravenous measurement device of oxygen in human blood

90. 1960 Polarstar (polarizing) & Flouristar Microscopes introduced for cancer research Justice Dept. ruling results in AO divesting from Rx laboratories Ophthalmic Division maintains sales, growing acceptance of Tillyer Exec & AOLITE Aspheric cataract

91. 1961 Optical lasers developed for the Air Force Laser Inc. formed to R&D optics, electronics, lasers AO Cardiometer & DC Defribrillator

92. 1961 Davis, Fernald & Rayner design Masterpiece FSV glass series corrected for off-axis performance errors

93. 1961 – Dec 7 Dr. Edgar Tillyer turns 80 (at Left) Dr. Estelle Glancy and John Davis (bowtie) at his side

94. 1962 AOLITE plastic lens market rapidly expands Record number of new frame styles AOLITE 62mm Finished Single Vision lenses introduced

95. 1963-64 Fiber Optics business expands Solar powered laser transmitter completed for the Air Force AOLUX laser glass reached market, new endoscope introduced

96. 1965 Medical Division develops implantable Pacemaker AOLITE Executive Bifocal introduced Tillyer Masterpiece lens, first new SV lens in 30 years

97. AO Southbridge ~1965

98. 1967 Warner-Lambert buys American Optical (becomes publicly owned)

99. 1971- Drop ball test signed into law FDA mandates Drop Ball test for all eyeglass lenses AO led the technical effort for effective eye protection and the details of this test Test still in use today; FDA now reviewing and re-affirming its use

100. 1975 AO Tumble Abrasion Test developed by John Young

101. 1979 Glass manufacturing plant closed at Southbridge facility (6 Million Dollars in Platinum sold off)

102. 1980 Fulvue Cataract lens patent – Donald B. Whitney Fulvue Cataract lens introduced AOLITE 77mm FSV product line introduced

103. 1981 Unique polycarbonate decentered plano safety lens introduced called the S1000. Prism correction for lens faceform angle

104. 1980 First Abrasion resistant hard coating introduced - Permalite

105. 1982 Photolite, the first plastic photochromic lens is introduced

106. 1982 Closed the Frederick, Maryland Frame Plant (out of Frame making business) Warner-Lambert sells American Optical to M&R (Mo Cunniffe & Rudy Wood)

107. 1983 AO Museum opens in Southbridge (John Young, Curator) AO Brattleboro plant closes, Safety Lens Manufacturing moves to relocate to Southbridge AO celebrates 150 th Anniversary; Optical Heritage Museum founded

108. 1984 AO produce Polycarbonate Plano and Rx lenses for the Apache Helicopter pilots Steep curve (22 Diopters!) RX’s – individual plus torics individualized for pilots

109. 1990 Safety Division sold to Cabot Corporation; Company now Aearo = A ear O Technica Progressive Lens introduced (designed for computer use) Polycarbonate OMNI product released

110. 1999 AO Compact Progressive Lens awarded “Best in Lens Design” at Optical Laboratory Association Convention

111. 2000 DOD Lease signed on March 31, 2000; Demolition of Main Plant begins in April for Hotel and Conference Center

112. AO Main plant today – Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center

113. 2002 AO Reunion at Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center - ~500 attend

114. 2005 AO/SOLA/Carl Zeiss Ophthalmic merge to become Carl Zeiss Vision AO Glass Executive Lens operation ceases after ~53 years

115. 2006- AO Compact Ultra First Introduced (Completing Dr. John Winthrop’s long series of AO Progressive Lens Designs) Len Date Introduced Truvision® 1981 Truvision OMNI® 1988 Truvision Technica® 1990 AO Pro® 15 1992 AO Pro® 16 1994 AO Force® 55 1996 AO Compact® 1998 AO b' Active™ 2000 AO Pro Easy™ 2002 AO Compact® Ultra 2006 Lens Date Introduced Ultravue 1974 Truvision® 1981 Truvision OMNI 1988 Truvision Technica® 1990 AO Pro® 15 1992 AO Pro® 16 1994 AO Force® 55 1996 AO Compact® 1998 AO b' Active™ 2000 AO Pro Easy™ 2002 AO Compact® Ultr 2006

116. Chronology of AO history provided by the Optical Heritage Museum For more info, go to: http:www.dickwhitney.net (click on AO history) http:www.opticalheritagemuseum.org