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"In WWII, they had a saying that there are no atheists in foxholes. I think the modern equivalent of that is that there are no jaded, bored people in the high-tech industry, in the land of really good hardcore geeks."
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In the world of Dune, seeing has a variety of implications, religious (state of consciousness, prescient ability to see the future) as well as practical. The hawk, symbol of the ruling Atreides family, is also a far-seeing animal.
The oil lens is described as "hufhuf oil held in static tension by an enclosing force field within a viewing tube as part of a magnifying or other light-manipulation system."
Since each oil lens element can be manipulated one micron at a time, these systems were considered the finest available for the manipulation of visible light (in the novel).
I've found references to ships in the 1920's that used oil lens lanterns, but they probably just burned the oil for illumination. And microscopes use oil lenses, but they are just regular glass lenses used with an immersion oil. So, I can't find anyone earlier than Herbert with this idea.
And, in a recent news story, researchers at Bell Labs, US, have made a 2mm-diameter liquid microlens with a position and focal length that can be adjusted by applying a voltage. The team is now using the lens in optical switching and optical signal processing. (Applied Physics Letters 82 316).
At the turn of the century, astronomers tried creating reflective mirrors for astronomical telescopes by putting a pool of mercury on a turntable, and then spinning the table at a constant rate. The resulting parabolic curve was obtained without the many hours of polishing; however, the surface was marred by irregularities caused by drive speed variations.
If you are interested in the ultimate in exotic lenses, take a look at the gravity lens from Larry Niven's 1973 novel Protector. Comment/Join this discussion ( 2 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This | Additional
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Science Fiction
Timeline
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'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
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'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
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'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
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'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
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'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
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