OPTICAL GLASS FOR WAR NEEDS 115 



of the Bausch and Lomb Optical Company with Dr. Wright in 

 charge. At that time the plant production was about 3,000 

 pounds net. per month. 



At first there was certain passive resistance to be overcome, 

 largely because of the belief in technique and trade secrets, 

 and it became necessary to demonstrate the efficiency of applied 

 and theoretical science. This fortunately Dr. Wright was able 

 to do within two or three weeks by working out the curves for 

 three component systems based on the published analysis of 

 some i 10 German glasses. Silica, lead oxide, and alkali oxide j 

 are the three components in a flint glass. Too little silica gives 

 a soft glass, too much alkali one that is hygroscopic, and too 

 much lead will cause crystallization. A diagram was eventu- 

 ally worked out so that batches could be computed so accu- 

 rately in advance that within an experimental melt and one or 

 two large melts, glass of a desired quality could be made. 



This marked a most important advance, not only because of 

 the extreme usefulness of such a method, but because it demon- 

 strated to the adherents of secrecy that science could be more 

 potent than technical skill. Thereafter an efficient cooperation 

 was enjoyed between the best that the country afforded in 

 technical skill and scientific knowledge. 



The active support of the Geophysical Laboratory group was 

 sought because they were the most experienced in the study 

 of silicates, in working at exact high temperatures, and in 

 methods requiring precision. They began work at the point 

 where the best progress in commercial production had been 

 made, and where the greatest amount of technical skill was 

 available. They were able to add their scientific experience 

 and at the same time acquired the technique of glass-making 

 so rapidly that by June, 1917, they were able to manage the 

 plant in its entirety without difficulty. 



The progress at Rochester became so gratifying and the 

 demand for glass so great that the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Com- 

 pany tore down their fence of secrecy in December, 1917, and 

 invited cooperation. The Geophysical Laboratory took charge 



