The Birth of ATM in the USA

(as told by a Brit!)

Keith Venables FRAS Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al The origins of ATM 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

Galileo ‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ Newton ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter Herschel & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) Rosse

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Herschel Timeline Commercially available

16-17thC Galileo et al th 17-18thC Newton late 19 C telescopes 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison Cooke ‘Popular Mechanics’ Clark ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy Calver

1920 R W Porter Browning & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published Brashear by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980)

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al circa 1860 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse Silver on Glass invented

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Earlier, mirrors were Brashear, Browning, Calver “Speculums” made from a 1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’ polished Bronze & Arsenic alloy 1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison Fragile, Soft, Dull, Heavy ‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy Invented: Steinheil & Foucault

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s Silvering: Easy to do and

1925-26 Scientific American easy to replace, cheap, but publishes first ATM articles tarnishes by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention Glass mirror: easier to work

1926 “ATM” first published DIY instructions quickly by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) published

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline The ‘English Mechanic

16-17thC Galileo et al & World of Science’ 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter Weekly & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American Half articles / half publishes first ATM articles reader contributions by Porter & Ingalls 20% about astronomy 1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published Of which half was ATM by SciAm, edited by Ingalls from 1900 - 1920! (last edition 1980) Large number of US 1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears contributors March 1905 Timeline 1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’

by Revd W F A Ellison th 16-17 C Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy A reprinting of his 1918 English Mechanic 1920 R W Porter series of articles as a & the Springfield TM’s 112 page book 1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls Ellison was one of the

1926 1st Stellafane Convention more prolific contributors to the 1926 “ATM” first published English Mechanic (circa by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) 500 entries)

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980)

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline ‘Popular Mechanics’

1902 - 16-17thC Galileo et al Key articles - 17-18thC Newton 1907 brief th 18-19 C The Herschel's instructions for 19thC Lord Rosse building a Late 19thC (Commercial) telescope by John Clark, Cooke Mellish. Brashear, Browning, Calver 1936 Porter features 1865 ‘The English Mechanic in an article about & World of Science’ ATM and his work 1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ on the Hale 200” by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’ ‘ Society for Practical Astronomy Popular

1920 R W Porter Science’ & the Springfield TM’s 1872 -

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles Key article - by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention In 1923 Porter features in an article about the 1926 “ATM” first published Springfield telescope by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) makers.

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline ‘Popular Astronomy’

1893 - 1951 16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ Key articles - by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ 1910 short article about a ‘Popular Astronomy’ telescope made by Leo Holcomb

Society for Practical Astronomy of Decatur, Illinois. “inspires Porter”

1920 R W Porter 1916 Porter writes an article about his 16” Polar & the Springfield TM’s Reflector 1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls 1921 Porter writes the ‘Poor Man’s telescope’

1926 1st Stellafane Convention 1923 Porter writes about the Springfield telescope 1926 “ATM” first published Makers by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) Albert Ingalls has just started as editor at Scientific 1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ “ ” section in SciAm appears American and sees the 1921 and 1923 articles Timeline The Society for Practical Astronomy

16-17thC Galileo et al 1909-1918 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison 1915

‘Popular Mechanics’ 1911 Frederick Leonard (aged 15!), placed an advert in Popular ‘Popular Science’ Astronomy for his new Society for Practical Astronomy, (SfPA) ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy The editor (Wilson) tried to cripple it. “American amateur astronomers were encouraged to work on research on behalf of 1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s professionals”. The AAS (formed 1899) was unsuccessfully trying to remodel itself, and Leonard was getting in the way! 1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls Leonard wrote frequently to the English Mechanic and many other magazines. With Russell Porter he organised annual “International 1926 1st Stellafane Convention Conventions”

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls Leonard was blocked from joining the AAS for many years as (last edition 1980) being “unsuitable”. He later became a professor at UCLA.

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears The Society wound up in 1918, but only after re-shaping the future. of the AAS, AAVSO & AMS

Timeline The Society for Practical Astronomy

16-17thC Galileo et al 1909-1918 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's John Mellish, Secretary of SfPA at beginning 19thC Lord Rosse Corresponded frequently & in detail with the

Late 19thC (Commercial) English Mechanic Clark, Cooke By 1911 had made 7½, 8½, 10, 12 & 16” Brashear, Browning, Calver reflectors & discovered a comet.

1865 ‘The English Mechanic Went on to manufacture & sell telescopes & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) Letter to the English Mechanic, January 1912 1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls Porter returned to his home town of 1926 1st Stellafane Convention Springfield, Vermont & with James 1926 “ATM” first published Hartness leads an evening class in mirror by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980) making to 15 men and 1 woman.

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline ‘Scientific American’ 1845 - 16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic

& World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ Feb1926 Porter, ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s Ingalls, Nov 1925 1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published Porter refers the reader to by SciAm, edited by Ingalls Ellison’s book for mirror (last edition 1980) making 1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’

section in SciAm appears Mar1926 Porter, Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980)

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al Volume 1 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's • 1926, Amateur Telescope Making, 1st ed., th 19 C Lord Rosse Scientific American Publishing Co. 102 pp.

Late 19thC (Commercial) Subsequent editions 1928, 285pp. Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver 1933, 500pp 1935, 4th ed., Munn & Co. 1865 ‘The English Mechanic 1980, 24th printing. 510p. & World of Science’ Includes a reprint of the mirror making 1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison chapters of Revd W F A Ellison’s book.

‘Popular Mechanics’ Volume 2 ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’ • 1937, Amateur Telescope Making Advanced, a sequel to Amateur telescope making. Book Two, 1st ed., Munn & Co. 650 pp. Society for Practical Astronomy Subsequent editions 1944, 1946, 1978, 1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s Volume 3

1925-26 Scientific American • 1953, Amateur Telescope Making, Book Three: contributions to publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls amateur precision optics by advanced amateurs and professionals. 1st ed., Scientific American Publishing Company. 644p. 1926 1st Stellafane Convention Subsequent editions 1956, 1961,1979, 1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls Re-published by Willmann-Bell (last edition 1980) The ATM books were republished, in a "re-organized" form, in 1996 1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning, Calver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980)

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears The ATM Birth Certificate Date 1920 – still alive and well aged 90! Place Springfield, Vermont

Parents Russell W Porter, (1871-1949) Great astronomer, as a professional & an amateur Tireless Champion of ATM, dedicated and active Revd William F A Ellison (1864-1936) Expert mirror maker Prolific writer

Grandparents The English Mechanic (1865-1926) And their Popular Mechanic (1902 - ), Science (1872 - ) & many Astronomy (1893 – 1951) Magazines contributors Frederick Leonard (1896 – 1960) & the SfPA (1909 – 1918) John Mellish (1886 – 1970)

God Parents Albert Graham Ingalls (1888 – 1958) Scientific American (1845 - ) Date: December 2009 Place: A party in East London Someone says: “Would you like to have a look at an old telescope and see if it is any good”

Clearly old, amateur built, mechanically damaged & incomplete But …..……….

Back face of primary mirror λξ 1912 secondary mirror WFAE WFAE F=54 in A=0 1911 Wm. F. A. Ellison

Timeline

16-17thC Galileo et al 17-18thC Newton 18-19thC The Herschel's 19thC Lord Rosse

Late 19thC (Commercial) Clark, Cooke Brashear, Browning,Browning, CalverCalver

1865 ‘The English Mechanic & World of Science’

1920 ‘The Amateur’s Telescope’ by Revd W F A Ellison

‘Popular Mechanics’ ‘Popular Science’ ‘Popular Astronomy’

Society for Practical Astronomy

1920 R W Porter & the Springfield TM’s

1925-26 Scientific American publishes first ATM articles by Porter & Ingalls

1926 1st Stellafane Convention

1926 “ATM” first published by SciAm, edited by Ingalls (last edition 1980)

1928 ‘The Back Yard Astronomer’ section in SciAm appears

Acknowledgements

• Gavin O’Shea (for giving me the Ellison telescope!) • Mark Bailey & staff at the Armagh Observatory (Ellison was its 6th Director) • William F A Ellison (Grandson) & Julian Ellison (Great grandson) • The Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. for data & use of photographs • Brian Johnson for assistance with reconstruction • Eric Hutton for a copy of the English Mechanic archives • Scientific American for data & images • Ted Saker & Pierre Faucher for acquiring the Scientific American originals • Ric Hill, University of Arizona for finding the Ellison-Ingalls letter • Popular Mechanics & Popular Science for images • NASA Astrophysical Data System for magazine & article reprints