Fresnel Lighthouse Lens Smithsonian's History Explorer

In the early nineteenth century, lighthouses in the United States were considered inferior to those in France and England. American mariners complained about the quality of the light emanating from local lighthouse towers, arguing that European lighthouses were more effective at shining bright beams of light over long distances. While American lighthouses relied on lamps and mirrors to direct mariners, European lighthouses were equipped with compact lenses that could shine for miles.

The Remarkable Lens in America's Oldest Lighthouse Station

The Fresnel Lens - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National

History Illuminated: Hatteras Light's 150 Years

Hog Island Lighthouse First Order Fresnel Lens – Portsmouth

The Fresnel lens returns again to Graves Light in Boston Harbor

Montauk Lighthouse Museum Photo Gallery

Museum needs help to save lighthouse lens

First Order Fresnel Lens - Cape Ann Museum: An American Art Museum

Light it up! Montauk Lighthouse brings back historic Fresnel lens

The Cape Lookout Light and the Civil War - Cape Lookout National

Keeping the Light, The old fresnel lens in the lighthouse a…

Fresnel Lighthouse Lens Smithsonian's History Explorer