George Bass (optician)

George Bass was an optician known to have made an achromatic doublet around 1733.

The instructions for the constructions were given by Chester Moore Hall. According to Hoyle, [Fred Hoyle, "Astronomy; A history of man's investigation of the universe", Rathbone Books Limited, 1962, LC 62-14108] Hall wished to keep his work on the achromatic lenses a secret and contracted the manufacture of the crown and flint lenses to two different opticians, Edward Scarlett and James Mann [ [http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/sphaera/index.htm?issue8/articl5 Sphaera - Peter Dollond answers Jesse Ramsden] - A review of the events of the invention of the achromatic doublet with emphasis on the roles of Hall, Bass, John Dollond and others.] . They in turn sub-contracted the work to the same person, George Bass. He realized the two components were for the same client and, after fitting the two parts together, noted the achromatic properties. Not being as reticent as Hall, Bass let others know of the lens's properties and the method of making an achromatic doublet spread.

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