TED-Ed: The story behind your glasses - Eva Timothy

The video explores the evolution of optics over 500 years, starting with practical needs that led to advancements in lenses and spectacles. It highlights key figures like Robert Hooke, who advanced microscopy, and Galileo, who refined telescopic lenses to challenge existing astronomical beliefs. Isaac Newton's experiments with light and color furthered understanding, leading to the development of the reflecting telescope and the theory of gravitation. The video concludes by reflecting on modern optics' capabilities and the ongoing potential for discovery.

What practical need led to the initial advancements in optics during the 15th century?

• The invention of the microscope

• The development of telescopic lenses

• The increased demand for reading glasses

• The need for better navigation tools

Which scientist is known for discovering that the moon has craters and mountains?

• Johannes Kepler

• Robert Hooke

• Isaac Newton

• Galileo Galilei

What was one of Isaac Newton's major contributions to the field of optics?

• Discovering the moons of Jupiter

• Developing the reflecting telescope

• Inventing the printing press

• Publishing the book 'Micrographia'

How did Newton's prism experiments change the understanding of color?

• They showed that color is due to different amounts of light

• They demonstrated that color is a result of light's refraction

• They proved that color is a mixture of black and white

• They indicated that color is a property of the object itself

What does the final section suggest about the future of scientific discovery?

• Future discoveries will be limited to our solar system

• Scientific exploration is no longer necessary

• All important discoveries have already been made

• Yesterday's discoveries are stepping stones to future breakthroughs