The First Fifty Years of an Optical Career

154 pp. Published in Geneva, NY. Photos of Hotel Seneca in Rochester and Standard Optical in Geneva. PREFACE: "This book is a narrative of historical events occurring in the Ophtalmic Optical Industry. It turns back almost a century the pages of time. Beginning with the year 1898, the story concerns the experiences - the successes and failures - of one who has devoted to the business his entire adult life. It tells about the introduction of toric lenses, the manufacture of Kryptok and Ultex bifocals - and the extensive patent litigation in which they were involved. It relates the progress made in the development of Rx laboratory machinery, and it deals with the economics of operations in the wholesale Rx business. In addition to the factual information, which should be of interest to those engaged for some years in the business, it is hoped that the theme may leave some inspiration to newcomers who are entering the industry as a livelihood for the future." CONTENTS: I. Introduction to the business - A.L. Smith, Geneva Optical Company, and Standard Optical Company, Shuron Founders; II. First Business Venture; III. Out into the trade - First writing adventure - Kryptok and one-piece bifocals; IV. Development of Kryptok lens manufacture - and patent litigation; V. Wholesale Rx Laboratory Development - and Machinery; VI. Stead Lens Company - Kryptok Paten Sustained; VII. Another Venture - Another Patent Suit - Consolidations - One-Piece Bifocals; VIII. A New Start - The Past Twenty Years.