SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass.—American Optical’s Lensometer, a groundbreaking instrument that has played a pivotal role in modernizing the field of ophthalmic dispensing since its introduction in 1921, has been designated as a Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). At a dedication ceremony held here March 25 at Optical Heritage Museum, which houses the oldest operational Lensometer, ASME officials added the Lensometer to its roster of influential inventions. Among those in attendance were executives from Zeiss, which merged with AO/SOLA in 2005 and now operates the Museum, former AO employees and prominent opticians, ophthalmic researchers and educators and other vision industry notables.

ASME’s Landmark designation is granted to artifacts that represent a significant step forward in the evolution of mechanical engineering. Typically, these artifacts are the last surviving examples typical of a period, or they are machines with some unusual distinction. Nearly 250 landmarks have been designated since ASME began the program in 1971.

Since its birth in 1833, American Optical developed a reputation in precision measurement and pioneered vision solutions for the American market. In the decades following its launch, the AO Lensometer, invented by Edgar D. Tillyer and Estelle Glancy, transformed the optical industry by providing quick and accurate lens measurements. As a result, the dispensing process became more accurate and the pathway for more advanced lens design was established.

“It’s amazing to see the Lensometer being recognized 100 years on from its launch,” commented Optical Heritage Museum director, Dick Whitney, who spoke at the event. “Almost everything you see relating to eyeglass lens dispensing in today’s industry can trace its heritage back to the success of the 1921 AO Lensometer. It took the best minds at the time over 10 years to develop and launch the device, which really highlights the challenges they were faced with.”

Guests at the ASME event were treated to a tour of the Optical Heritage Museum, which also houses many other historic examples of American Optical’s significant contributions including ophthalmic dispensing and lens technology.





American Optical 1921 Lensometer, on display at the Optical Heritage Museum in Southbridge, Mass.

Edgar D. Tillyer (l) and Estelle Glancy, inventors of the AO Lensometer.
Opticianry educator Blair Wong of the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (l) talks with Dick Whitney of the Optical Heritage Museum at the recent Museum event honoring American Optical’s 1921 Lensometer.

“We want to transport people back through time to recognize the transformation the Lensometer enabled in our industry,” said Karen Roberts, head of global customer enablement at Zeiss Vision Care, who also spoke at the event. “This was another game-changing innovation and AO and Zeiss continued to shape and transform the market with many other innovations in the years that followed.

"With over half of the world’s population requiring vision correction, there are a lot of people who can have the lensometer to thank for their improved vision outcomes,” Roberts said.

The Landmark recognition was initiated by ASME’s Worcester Section members Dan P. Smith, Eric Wilhelm, William Medeiros and Kushi Sellehenedige.