Robert Wood with a mercury mirror

Robert Wood with a mercury mirror

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Caption: Robert Williams Wood (1868-1955), US physicist, with a mercury mirror. He is viewing the mercury mirror as it rotates, showing an absence of ripples. The distorted reflection is due to an optical defect. Wood is best known for his work on optics, including infrared and ultraviolet photography. In 1909, he used mercury to construct the first practical liquid mirror, for use in telescopes. He also developed a glass for use in ultraviolet lamps, as well as studying ultraviolet fluorescence. His honours include the Rumford Medal of the Royal Society, London, and the Henry Draper Medal of the US National Academy of Sciences.


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