Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 1998
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998jahh....1...93b&link_type=abstract
Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage (ISSN 1440-2807), Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 93-103 (1998).
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Telescopes, Refractors, Reflectors, Schmidt Camera
Scientific paper
Robert Lundin, apprenticed in nineteenth century optical craftsmanship but employed in twenty century fabrication and engineering, suffered many frustrations during a nonetheless productive career. Son of Carl A.R. Lundin, a senior optician at the famous American firm of Alvan Clark & Sons, Robert grew up building telescopes. As a teenager, he assisted with projects including the 1-m [40-inch] objective for Yerkes Observatory. After his father's death in 1915, he became manager of the Clark Corporation and was responsible for many smaller, successful refractors and reflectors. Lundin also completed major projects, including a highly praised 50.8-cm achromat for Van Vleck Observatory, as well as a successful 33-cm astrograph used at Lowell to discover Pluto. In 1929, a dispute with the owners of the Clark Corporation led to Lundin's resignation and his creation of a new business, "C.A. Robert Lundin and Associates." This short-lived firm built several observatory refractors, including a 26.7 cm for E.W. Rice, the retired chairman of General Electric. But none was entirely successful, and the Great Depression finished off the company. In 1933, Lundin took a job as head of Warner & Swasey's new optical shop, only to experience his greatest disasters. The 2.08-m [82-inch] reflector for McDonald Observatory was delayed for years until astronomers uncovered an error in Lundin's procedure for testing the primary mirror. A 38.1-cm photographic lens for the Naval Observatory was a complete failure. Under pressure to complete a 61-cm Schmidt camera, Lundin seems to have attempted to deceive visiting astronomers. After retirement in the mid 1940s, Lundin moved to Austin, Texas, the home of his daughter, where he died. His difficulties should not obscure his success with many instruments that continue to serve as important research and education tools.
Briggs John W.
Osterbrock Donald E.
No associations
LandOfFree
The challenges and frustrations of a veteran astronomical optician: Robert Lundin, 1880-1962 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The challenges and frustrations of a veteran astronomical optician: Robert Lundin, 1880-1962, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The challenges and frustrations of a veteran astronomical optician: Robert Lundin, 1880-1962 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1293792