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Greatest Human Achievements: The Lens

24 minutes 42 seconds

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The invention of the lens goes far beyond the glasses that sit on one’s nose. Galileo used lenses to create the telescope and bring faraway things closer to mankind. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the lens exposed the microscopic world, leading to medical advancements including vaccination, anesthetics, and antibiotics.

Media Details

Runtime: 24 minutes 42 seconds

Topic: History, Science
Subtopic: Inventions, Physics
Grade/Interest Level: 9 - 12
Standards:

Release Year: 2013
Producer/Distributor: New Dimension Media/Questar
Series: Greatest Human Achievements
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Student Activity Teacher's Guide

Round transparent object magnifying a section of a cityscape. Caption: could make distant objects appear closer.

Glass beaker with a hand holding a clear rod to the bottom of the beaker. A bright light emanates from the bottom of the beaker. Caption: and moved into the modern age of chemistry.

Microscopic close up of cells. Cell walls and internal organ structure visible. Caption: It was clear that the nucleus was the critical element

Person in a loin cloth chiseling a large block of light-colored stone. The block has hashmarks representing "5". Caption: All cut by hand with hammers and chisels.

Industrial docks with stacks of shipping containers, cranes, and boats. Caption: We've tackled the sea as well, changing coastlines

Bookshelf filled with old books. Caption: was the start of our journey towards mass communication,

An old car from the 1920's driving next to contemporary cars. Caption: The very first cars were powered by electricity.

A large jetliner flies above and very close to a smaller, angular space craft. Caption: There's no sign of a halt to the speed of progress.

Black and white close up photo of a man's face. Caption: had become fascinated by the potential of radio waves.