Wells j cheney (1 resultados)
[Interesting group of two photo albums with 94 silver gelatin photographs documenting the construction of the famed Lensdale optical factory and adjacent power plant whose innovative design with large windows to allow generous amounts of natural lighting were constructed entirely of cement to be fireproof. The Southbridge, MA plant was the largest in the United States at the time of its completion].
[ARCHITECTURE -- AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY PHOTO ALBUMS]. [WELLS, Channing M., WELLS, Albert B., & WELLS, J. Cheney].
Editorial: American Optical Co., Construction Dept., 1909-1915]., [Southbridge, MA:, 1909
Librería: Zephyr Used & Rare Books, Vancouver, WA, Estados Unidos de AmericaZephyr Used & Rare Books
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Añadir al carritoTwo vols. Oblong 4to. 10.75 x 7.5 in. [50; 50 pp (unpaginated).], on thick black paper stock, with 83 silver gelatin photographs tipped-in, sized 5 x 7 in. (many dated w/in the negative), 1 RPPC w/ split-back laid-in, 11 loose photographs (3 linen-backed), sized from 7 x 9 in. up to 8 x 10 in. (some chipping, minor creasing, edg…ewear, couple with closed tears). Photo albums w/ Eastman Kodak Forum Album B labels on rear pastedowns (minor edgewear, slight scuffing), still VG exemplars. These albums include historic photographs documenting the construction of the new Lensdale factory, power plant, and dam from 1909 through 1910 across the Quinebaug River from the main plant in Southbridge, Massachusetts. At the time, the American Optical Co. was one of the largest and most respected optical companies in the world, whose original factory was a converted textile mill. The first of the loose images shows the original plant with its Second Renaissance Revival front and clock tower in the distance, with newly graveled road, and construction just beginning. The remaining images show the tremendous construction project of erecting this massive fireproof structure, built of reinforced concrete with floor to roof windows, designed by engineers Samuel T. McIntosh, and Albert B. Wells. The earliest photos dated 1909 show the grading of the site, building the foundation forms, construction of the dam, erection of the walls to hold the massive windows, pouring of the cement floors for each story, and even the steam locomotive used on site. In addition, the images show the construction of the steam chimney for the power plant, erection of the power plant walls, the final stages of the dam to power the the plant, and finally the second floor stock room in 1915. By 1910, American Optical was employing over 2000 workers in and around Southbridge, producing over 600,000 gold/silver optical glass and lens framers per year, and would eventually be the supplier for US Troops and Allied forces in World War I. American Optical pioneered hidden bifocal lenses, rimless frames, Crookes glass Calobar Sun Glasses with UV protections, and later the original sunglasses worn by Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew. By 1992, American Optical relocated manufacturing operations to Mexico, moved its heaquarters to San Diego, and the site was demolished by the US Department of Defense, only retaining the historic factory facade in Southbridge's downtown center. See: National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet, Southbridge, Massachusetts (1989), Section 8, page 14-15; American Optical Celebrates 150th Anniversary, June 18, 1983.