Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/07/17

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: computer-designed lenses
From: Eric Welch <ewelch@cdsnet.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 09:04:51 -0700

At 11:43 AM 7/17/96 +0100, you wrote:

>seem to recall as early as the late 1950s IBM predicted that, globally, there
>was a market for no more than 16 computing machines ;-)

And IBM is still aquitting themselves with the same prognosticatorial skills
today!

My uncle, who retired from Stanford Research Institute not too long ago was
in on the Navy's first computer, in the late 40s. They were much more
optimistic about the future than IBM. 

And as far as Max Berek being such a wonderful lens designer, which he was
and no one after him had to do what he had to do, don't forget Walter
Mandler, of Leica's Midland, Ontario plant (former, that is). He developed
some of the most amazing lenses Leica ever produced, and certainly ahead of
anyone else in the 70s in his heyday. The Noctilux, the 180 Apo Telyt, 50
Summicron R, 90 Summicron R, etc. etc. It takes more than computers to make
great lenses. They're good for ray tracing, but not for innovation.

===================
Eric Welch
Grants Pass (OR) Daily Courier
NPPA Region 11 JIB chair

"Hey Rocky, watch me pull a tagline out of my hat!"