Glossary Sheet
The people mentioned below are just a few of the scientists and engineers involved in the work of the Optical Munitions Panel during the Second World War. The positions detailed here are those held by each individual while they were undertaking optical munitions work during the Second World War. Objects and other items included in this glossary are those which are important to the field of optical munitions.
- Allen, Clabon Walter: One of the four original physicists at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory.
- clay pots: The ingredients of optical glass are heated in clay pots. The composition of the clay influences the glass quality.
- Commonwealth Solar Observatory: Located in Canberra. Now known as Mount Stromlo Observatory, Australian National University.
- Esserman, Norman Abraham: Officer-in-Charge of the Metrology (Measurement) Section of the National Standards Laboratory.
- Gascoigne, Sidney Charles 'Ben': New Zealand physicist who worked at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory.
- Hartnett, Sir Laurence John: Manager of General Motors Holden (Australia). During the Second World War, he was Director of Ordnance Production in the newly formed Department of Munitions and was the 'government' head of the Optical Munitions Panel.
- Hartung, Ernst Johannes: Professor of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. He made the first optical glass in Australia, assisted by ACI.
- Higgs, Arthur John: Physicist at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory. In 1940 he transferred to work at the CSIR/O Department of Radiophysics.
- Hobart Annexe: The combination of the University of Tasmania's Physics Department and the Waterworth brother's firm. Hobart Annexe became a viable optics business after the war.
- Hogg, Arthur Robert: Physicist at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory. He also worked at the Munitions Supply Laboratories during the Second World War.
- Kerr Grant: Vice-Chair of the Optical Munitions Panel and Professor in Physics at the University of Adelaide
- Laby, Thomas Howell: Professor of Natural Philosophy (ie Physics) at the University of Melbourne. He was the driving force behind the Optical Munitions Panel and its Chair.
- McAulay, Alexander Leicester: Head of the Physics Department at the University of Tasmania
- Munitions Supply Laboratories: Established by the Australian Government to support the armed services, the Munitions Supply Laboratories were based in Maribyrnong, Melbourne. The Physics Section was the main department to be involved in optical munitions work.
- National Standards Laboratory: The Sydney-based branch of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In 1949, the CSIR became the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
- optical glass: Glass that is absolutely flawless, completely transparent and can be ground to shape. Glass is a fluid, not a solid.
- optical munitions: Optical instruments used in war; optical instruments associated with weapons, such as gun sights and telescopes.
- Optical Munitions Panel: A group of Australian physicists representing industry, government and the armed forces, who led the development and production of optical glass and optical munitions in Australia during the Second World War.
- optics: The science of the origin, nature and laws of light.
- oxide: A combination of oxygen with another element. Used in glass making.
- Rogers, James Stanley: Senior Lecturer in Physics at the University of Melbourne. He was Secretary of the Optical Munitions Panel.
- Ross, Alexander David: Professor of Physics at the University of Western Australia.
- Sayce, Eric Loxton: Senior Physicist at the Munitions Supply Laboratories.
- sand: High grade, iron-free silica (sand) is required to make optical glass. Aeolian sand is considered one of the best types of sand for making optical glass. Other ingredients include calcite (for lime or calcium oxide), zinc oxide, lead oxide, soda ash, potassium nitrate, hydrated alumina, borax and boric acid.
- University of Melbourne: The base of operations for the Optical Munitions Panel. Laby, Hartung and many others worked here.
- Woolley, Richard van der Reit: Director of the Commonwealth Solar Observatory.
Created by Denise Sutherland for
Bright Sparcs: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/
Published by the Australian
Science Archives Project on
ASAPWeb, 30 June 1997
Comments or corrections to:
Bright Sparcs (bsparcs@asap.unimelb.edu.au)