A Short Bright Flash: Augustin Fresnel and the Birth of the Modern Lighthouse

by Theresa Levitt

“Combin[es] matters of biography, science, engineering, technology, art, history, economics and politics seemingly effortlessly and definitely seamlessly. An excellent book and a joy to read.”―Henry Petroski, Wall Street Journal Augustin Fresnel (1788–1827) shocked the scientific elite with his unique understanding of the physics of light. The lens he invented was a brilliant feat of engineering that made lighthouses blaze many times brighter, farther, and more efficiently. Battling the establishment, his own poor health, and the limited technology of the time, Fresnel was able to achieve his goal of illuminating the entire French coast. At first, the British sought to outdo the new Fresnel-equipped lighthouses as a matter of national pride. Americans, too, resisted abandoning their primitive lamps, but the superiority of the Fresnel lens could not be denied for long. Soon, from Dunkirk to Saigon, shores were brightened with it.  The Fresnel legacy played an important role in geopolitical events, including the American Civil War. No sooner were Fresnel lenses finally installed along U.S. shores than they were drafted: the Union blockaded the Confederate coast; the Confederacy set about thwarting it by dismantling and hiding or destroying the powerful new lights. Levitt’s scientific and historical account, rich in anecdote and personality, brings to life the fascinating untold story of Augustin Fresnel and his powerful invention. 60 illustrations, 6 maps

Genres: History, Science, Nonfiction, Biography, Maritime, Nature

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2013

Reviews

[Kay Iscah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I'd like to see more books like this in school curriculums. History isn't just wars, it's technology and politics and people. Also nice to cover that scientists are people who are apt to disagree and let politics and personality get in the way from time to time.

The book is reasonably clear with it's writing, but I wish there had been some more direct quotes rather than summaries of letters and diaries. The diagrams and illustrations were helpful and interesting. Not sure I'd call this book entertaining, but it's worth a read.

[Timothy Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more interesting ways to learn history is to track a single idea through time. In this case, the Fresnel lens and by extension the development of lighthouses in general is a fascinating way to see the world stage: commerce, nationalism, technology as well as theoretical science, war, and simply the human impulse for rivalry and competition. Fresnel cracked a problem that revolutionized sea-faring as handily as the development of Longitude through the development of the watch. He found a way to capture and direct light in a way that allowed all the light to be seen from a particular direction, rather than allowing much of the light to shoot off in directions not as useful. In the mean time, the rivalry among France, Britain, and the United States unfolds in a very specialized corner of the political and civil environment.

I learned some very specific things. One that the mercury baths in which many Fresnel lens floated (the process was frictionless for the rotation of a multi-ton glass apparatus) caused mercury poisoning and was likely the source of madness for many lighthouse keepers. I also learned the interesting part lighthouse manipulation played in war from the simple destruction of lighthouses, to the reconfiguring of their lights so it could be used by one side but not the other. The story of the dismantling of Fresnel lenses along the Outer Banks to foil northern incursions was amusing and one only wishes they had been a little more organized in their efforts. But they were successful and the north suffered a minor setback. As the reader peruses the absorbent cost in finances, good intentions, and human energy to build lighthouses, develop and fund lenses, and staff the facilities only to see them destroyed, sometimes out of spite, he is reminded even in this isolated narrow field of the senseless costs of war.

The rivalry between the different lighthouse administrators in America is predictably disheartening, highlighting as it does the American tendency to put economics above everything else.

In these days of GPS lighthouses are nearly obsolete, but they remain symbols of human determination to grapple with nature. They stand as isolated outposts of safety. The lenses themselves still shine like hope in the darkness.

[Theresa Connors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and well researched. This is an engaging chronicle of the international race to improve lighthouse technology to save lives and cargo during the 1800s. I loved the historical context-how Napoleon's battles halted Fresnel's work at one point, and much later, how lighthouses were dismantled by the Confederates during the American Civil War. The brief mention of Robert Louis Stevenson and his relatives is an added bonus for literature lovers.

[Selda Nayir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Type of course: Fish course... Easy to read and full of historical accounts

This is one neat book for who likes to read about history that is coupled with inventions and how they seeded in the minds. As saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, the wreck of La Medusa and constant loss of sailer in the sea led to the build of a lighthouse which shines a beam of light shows to sailer their way in the vast seas and oceans. Fresnel invented the assembled multiple mirrors and by changing their orientation gradually it created a system that reflects the light as a single beam. The book includes incremental improvements on reflectors' oil lamps (Argand lamp) and its resting system of a mercury bath which provided a frictionless rotation to the mirrors at the expense of driving literally crazy to its keepers.

A youtube video has captured the main features of the Fresnel lens's invention is The invention that fixed lighthouses (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z0l0...). Dan Spinella in the video has reproduced the original Fresnel lens for The Lighthouse (2019) movie

An accompanying book could be read is Spectrum of Belief: Joseph von Fraunhofer and the Craft of Precision Optics

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gazed at the beauty of a Fresnel lens in many lighthouses and now have an even greater appreciation for the wonder of them. Augustin Fresnel was a man before his time and understood the difficulty of projecting the lighthouses' presence with the technology of the day (early 1800's). He had this crazy idea to create a giant lens, constructed in steps. His design revolutionized the glass, glue, lamp and lighthouse construction and multiple other industries.

While the Fresnel lens was adopted in Europe, the US was slow to accept it. This was mainly due to the decisions made by the US auditor, Stephen Pleasanton. Pleasanton was ruthless in cutting costs; those of us who are lighthouse preservationists can attest to this! Not only was he a spend-thrift, but he was friends with Winslow Lewis, the man who held contracts with the government to supply the lights. Lewis' light was cheap to install and operate, but the projection was limited to a single beam of light whereas the Fresnel lens projected a circular beam.

Mariners were unimpressed with the Lewis light and voiced their concerns to anyone who would listen. Word reached Congress and they moved the decision making to the US Navy who soon upgraded the 50+ lights to Fresnel's lamps and continued to use this lamp on future lights until they were automated.

The author does a fine job of explaining the decision, the competition and the partnerships that were built in the manufacture of a man's dream. She also inserts a bit of history on Pleasanton which may have alluded to the respect he received from government officials.

[Ed Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The was a wonderful journey into the science and history of the Fresnel lens used in Lighthouses. Fresnel was trained as an engineer and well suited to the tasks of taking ideas through to completion. Lighthouses used parabolic reflective mirrors at that time of which 50% of the light was lost due to absorption. Shipwrecks were common, money and lives were lost, and both insurers, shipowners and sailors clamored for better light.

The Fresnel biconvex lens is compact, divided into concentric circles, surrounded by rings of dioptric prisms. The compact design uses far less material with a considerable weight savings critical to lighthouse installations. The dioptric light is both refracted (bent) on the first side, then reflected off the back before existing with near 100% efficiency. When first installed in the Cordouan lighthouse in 1823, it produced 35 times the light and consumed 1/2 the oil as the best reflector systems. This could be seen 30 miles away by a sailor, in the riggings. By 1825, with further improvements in the internal lamps, lens polishing and greater lens size the light would be 3000 times brighter. "A Short Bright Flash" is where science ultimately prevails over human hubris, nationalism. It's a must read.

[Catriona Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

the narration almost completely ruined this book for me. Flat and dry with emphasis on many of the wrong places.
simple words misread when they made zero contextual sense. example: preserve instead of persevere.
the French pronunciations may have been correct, bit they felt forced and exoticized. The English and Scottish place names were butchered.
The story itself was good and interesting, if a little belaboured at times.
I persevered (not preserved!) with it because of a childhood awe of lighthouse lenses.

[jsallcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s some great pop-science / pop-history writing here, so I’m surprised this book isn’t more popular. Beginning with the gory details of the Méduse shipwreck got me fired up for lighthouses from the first page. Many exquisite technical drawings of Fresnel lenses too.

The structure is a bit uneven and the narrative jump from France to America felt sudden. Maybe this could have been signalled in the preface more clearly.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderfully written work on lighthouses, showing just how important they are to the history of the world and specifically to the industrial revolution. Many characters wonder in and out of the story of the Fresnel lens, including Newton, Napoleon, Laplace and Faraday. Even the Declaration of Independence makes a cameo.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL! Informative, descriptive, and educational. Tells the real story behind the Fresnel lens in an amazingly readable format. All Fresnel accomplished in just 39 years! Great job! Fresnel and Patti Callahan Henry! I will use this information to do a fact sheet for our docents at Horton Point Lighthouse.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting info about how Augustin Fresnel invented the special lens that extended the range of lighthouse lights. The lens was widely adopted in Europe, but the U.S. lagged behind, thinking they knew better. They continued using the old lenses until the sailors complained about the inferiority of U.S. lenses compared to European lenses.

[Marne Zahner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as a history of lighthouses could be. Paints an interesting picture of Enlightenment France and some of the logistical/infrastructural challenges that must be conquered before any successful large-scale undertaking (e.g. the Union's blockade during the Civil War).

[Daniele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It explains the intricacies of the prisms of the lights in the lighthouses before GPS and it saved so many seamen.
The story of how the light was invented and then adopted by the world is related by the author intermingled with history and historic events.

[Angela Lalande]

Masterfully written! Theresa Levitt does a brilliant job of diving into the life of Augustin-Jean Fresnel, inventor of the Fresnel Lens. If you are looking to learn more about him or lighthouses in general, please read this book.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read about the history of the Fresnel lens and lighthouses. Expected more about Fresnel but the book was around 1/3 in when he died. A lot more about the civil war lighthouse history than I was expecting. Overall a good overview.

[Scott Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history

Excellent history of the Fresnel lens and lighthouses. The strategy regarding lighthouses during the U.S. Civil War was fascinating. Quick read.

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellant book about Augustin Fresnel and his lens.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the history of lighthouses and of Mr. Fresnel who was the genius behind those magnificent lenses of his.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more of a detailed bio of Fresnel himself, and this only had that in a small way. Still very fascinating and informative though!

[Joelle Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating!

[Doug Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous book. Learned about people places and events of modern lighthouse keeping. Even learned some calculus!

[Bradley Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I think of 19th century technology, I think of the undersea telegraph lines, steam engines, and trains. This book made me realize that Fresnel lenses also played a big role in the 1800's.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting history of the lighthouse

[Josh Liller · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Short Bright Flash" is really a book in two parts: the first half is a biography of Augustin Fresnel: French physicist, engineer, and inventor-namesake of the Fresnel lens. The second half of the book is a short history of Fresnel lens and their use in lighthouses after Augustin Fresnel's death at age 39.

Fresnel's work not only was not only revolution for lighthouses, but the principles are widely used today in most lamps and, from a purely science standpoint, he is one of he most important light physicists in history. The biography portion is a good read and may represent the only English-language biography of Fresnel in print.

The second half of the book dovetails well with the first as Fresnel's work did indeed outlive him. The book covers the introduction of Fresnel lenses through France's lighthouses and how they came to be adopted by England too before dedicating most of its remaining length to Fresnel lenses in the US. The problems in the Lighthouse Establishment (yes, that's really what it was called) that lead to the Lighthouse Board and the mass-introduction of Fresnel lenses in the US in the 1850s is a good story and told well here. An entire chapter is dedicated to lighthouses in the Civil War; 164 lighthouses were disabled or destroyed during the war and lighthouses are a subject largely overlooked in Civil War history focused on battles and slavery.

Helpful (and often historic) illustrations are interspersed throughout and there are endnotes and an index.

My criticism of this book is solely in regards to the second half. First, there are some errors, misstatements, and a few claims which I know or suspect to be inaccurate and which do not seem to be cited in the endnotes. For example, the author correctly states that a US lightship was attacked by a U-boat during World War I, but curiously uses the verb "bombed" to describe the attack. (LV-71 was actually destroyed via shelling from the U-boat's deck gun.) In the author's defense, her background appears to be science rather than military or lighthouse history so these are understandable.

I was also disappointed some of the later developments of lighthouses are left out. While the book mentions hyper-radiant Fresnel lenses, but no bivalve Fresnels. It talks about the introduction of mercury floats to replace chariot wheels, but doesn't mention that mercury floats are now being replaced by ball bearings. It does talk about an American Fresnel lens company in the 1910s, but doesn't address the fate of the five companies that made Fresnels (Sautter, Barbier, Henry-Lapaute, Chance Brothers, and Macbeth-Evans). Despite being published in 2013, doesn't mention Artworks Florida which is has been making functional acrylic replica Fresnel lenses which have been installed in quite a few US lighthouses for more than 5 years before the book's publication. It doesn't address why Fresnel lens are now becoming museum pieces (it's a maintenance issue) or compare them to the modern aerobeacons that sometimes replace them. As this book is only 223 pages of main text and has slightly smaller dimensions than an average book there certainly room for more. This book could definitely have been enhanced with another 50 or so pages of text. That said, I notice these omissions because I am a lighthouse historian; they will probably not be noticed by the average reader.

While I can't give this book a full five stars, it is still probably one of the best lighthouse-related books in print. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in lighthouses or science (especially the practical applications thereof).

[Jon Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased my copy of this book in the gift shop at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point in the Michigan UP when visiting the area in June 2023. The Shipwreck Museum is adjacent to the Whitefish Point lighthouse, and when you enter the museum the first item on display is a magnificent 4th order Fresnel lens. I have visited numerous lighthouses and maritime museums, and almost all of them have one or more lighthouse Fresnel lenses on display. The highly polished, sparkling glass prisms and facets, bound together in a shining brass frame - each lighthouse Fresnel lens is a work of art. As you can tell, I fall squarely into the "target demographic" for this book, and I loved reading it. The author Theresa Levitt tells the story of the lens and its inventor, Augustin Fresnel, and so much more besides. The story of lighthouses and the role they have played in the development of maritime commerce, the unique cultural environment of early 19th century France when a government-sponsored cadre of engineers were trained and the Industrial Revolution was gaining momentum, the role lighthouses played in the US Civil War, the golden age of lighthouses, it's all covered in this book. The writing is lively and conversational in style. The text of the book is a very reasonable 234 pages so it's just right for the subject matter but not a giant academic treatise on the subject. Five out of five stars!

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's about the history of a technology that is superior to the former technology, but still hard to get accepted and installed, especially in America. It is about the ongoing battle between scientific theories in flux, in this case the corpuscular vs. the wave theories of light propagation. By conceiving of light as a wave, Fresnel is able to construct a better way to focus the bright light needed by lighthouses, but to get into widespread use, a whole new and improved glass-making industry has to be worked up, one with better quality control .
A fairly readable book about an odd detail of the history of technology, but one that had big consequences for international navigation and maritime safety.
I'll remember that control of lighthouses along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts was an important angle of the Civil War, one that I never knew before. The Rebs dismantled as many lighthouses as they could, and removed and hid the Fresnel lenses, to frustrate the Union forces who were intent on blockading Rebel ports. I'll remember how strong an obstacle one entrenched intransigent bureaucrat can be--one penny-pinching head of a department refused to invest in Fresnel lenses for years and years.

[Eduardo Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read on the history of lighthouses in their golden age.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theresa Levitt has written a wonderful book. Augustin Fresnel supported the wave particle theory of light and used the mathematics of waves to design lenses that would vastly improve the brightness of light used by ships to navigate shore lines. This sounds ho hum but Levitt skillfully wove in the history of France and the problems Fresnel encountered while making his idea become a reality. Politics, international relationships, science egos, nature and even the Civil War played into this story. Amazingly, Levitt was able to craft this information into a story that taught and entertained me. I love light houses and I learned so many new things through this book.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a five star book. Apart from the author's weird fixation on the USA in the last fourth and forgetting to mention the Great Lakes, this book was pretty much perfect. Fresnel was a very cool guy (he died of TB at 39...a great loss to the world), and was probably a genius.

How could any book with lighthouses, Scots, Robert Louis Stevenson's relatives, and French engineers possibly be less than wonderful?


Though, Confederates, I will never, never, never forgive you for murdering 164 lighthouses. I was happier before I knew that that happened.

[Daniel Farabaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Thee book did exactly what it promised. It explained the origiin of the modern lighthouse and then went into detail about its adoption and effect on the world. There was no padding or off topic ramblings.