The Fresnel Lens Of Old Point Loma Lighthouse © T-Shirt

This is a close-up of the actual lamp (Fresnel Lens) of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego, California. The highly polished Fresnel lens that was used at this lighthouse (and utilized by many lighthouses) is a very beautiful object. It refracts and reflects light to create prismatic colors when viewed from certain angles. It’s almost a miracle that a small flame in a lamp can be magnified to the extent that ships far out at sea can easily see it and be guided to safety. Light intensified by those types of lenses can be seen 18 to 24 miles away! These 19th century lenses are truly works of art made of highly polished brass and glass (light bender); and in this case it used to focus light almost 400 feet above sea level. A F...