The precursor to the magnifying glass was the reading stone. Used by scholars, teachers and leaders, the reading stones were polished rocks of crystal, clear minerals or glass that would be used as a lens to magnify writings or markings.
Once glass blowers refined their glass making art and frames were made to hold the flattened reading stones; an entire industry was created for microscopes, telescopes, eyeglasses and the magnifying glass.
Did you know that #Boonton is home to the Sheep Hill Observatory The 16′ dome observatory houses an 18″ Newtonian Reflecting Telescope that is open to the public every 3rd Friday of the month! (see what else the Boonton Community has to offer!)
But for something a little more portable than an 18″ telescope, there is this lovely, vintage, brass and resin magnifying glass available @ Time’s Tin Cup !
