Jerome Wolken
Encyclopedia
Jerome Jay Wolken was an American
biophysicist
who used his research in vision in deep sea creatures to develop a kind of eyeglasses that used specially designed lenses to gather more light, which provided vision to some people who were legally blind.
Jerome Jay Wolken was born in Pittsburgh on March 28, 1917. He earned a series of degrees from the University of Pittsburgh
, a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1946, a master's degree in biological sciences in 1948 and a Ph.D. in biophysics in 1949. He taught at his alma mater after his graduation and was named a professor of biophysics physiology in 1962. As head of the Biophysical research laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, Wolken received a project from NASA
to develop a rocket-borne detector that could be used to search for signs of extraterrestrial life using microspectrophotometry
with a series of focusing lenses that Wolken had developed. As part of his research, he proposed sending cockroach
es into space, to take advantage of their eye nerves and their ability to see in the dark light waves that are invisible to human eyes.
, where he was head of the biology department at Margaret Morrison Carnegie College
. In studies he conducted at Marine Biological Laboratory
, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
and other facilities around the world, Wolken did extensive research on deep sea animals, investigating the way that their lenses were constructed to allow them to see in the near-complete darkness in waters up to 1500 feet (457.2 m) deep.
of the deep sea creatures he studied,. earning U.S. patent 4,669,832 on June 2, 1987, for his development. The system used a set of pear-shaped lenses whose geometric relationship between the curves at the top and bottom of each lens allowed them to gather 10 times more light than standard lenses. In addition to their use in astronomy and medicine and photography, the lenses could be worn by individuals with cataract
s to provide them with improved vision.
He wrote more than 100 articles for scientific journals and wrote or edited 11 books in his field. He continued his research at Carnegie Mellon after his official retirement from the university in 1982.
and a son. He was also survived by a daughter and a son Jonathan Wolken
, founder of Pilobolus
dance company, who were from his first marriage, to Dorothy Mallinger Wolken, who died in 1954.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biophysicist
Biophysics
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical science to study biological systems. Studies included under the branches of biophysics span all levels of biological organization, from the molecular scale to whole organisms and ecosystems...
who used his research in vision in deep sea creatures to develop a kind of eyeglasses that used specially designed lenses to gather more light, which provided vision to some people who were legally blind.
Jerome Jay Wolken was born in Pittsburgh on March 28, 1917. He earned a series of degrees from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1946, a master's degree in biological sciences in 1948 and a Ph.D. in biophysics in 1949. He taught at his alma mater after his graduation and was named a professor of biophysics physiology in 1962. As head of the Biophysical research laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, Wolken received a project from NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
to develop a rocket-borne detector that could be used to search for signs of extraterrestrial life using microspectrophotometry
Spectrophotometry
In chemistry, spectrophotometry is the quantitative measurement of the reflection or transmission properties of a material as a function of wavelength...
with a series of focusing lenses that Wolken had developed. As part of his research, he proposed sending cockroach
Cockroach
Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria or Blattodea, of which about 30 species out of 4,500 total are associated with human habitations...
es into space, to take advantage of their eye nerves and their ability to see in the dark light waves that are invisible to human eyes.
Faculty
In 1964, he was named to the faculty of Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
, where he was head of the biology department at Margaret Morrison Carnegie College
Margaret Morrison Carnegie College
Margaret Morrison Carnegie College , was the women's college for Carnegie Mellon University. It was founded in 1903 and opened its doors to students in 1906 as the Margaret Morrison Carnegie School for Women. The school was closed in 1973....
. In studies he conducted at Marine Biological Laboratory
Marine Biological Laboratory
The Marine Biological Laboratory is an international center for research and education in biology, biomedicine and ecology. Founded in 1888, the MBL is the oldest independent marine laboratory in the Americas, taking advantage of a coastal setting in the Cape Cod village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts...
, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, nonprofit research and higher education facility dedicated to the study of all aspects of marine science and engineering and to the education of marine researchers. Established in 1930, it is the largest independent oceanographic research...
and other facilities around the world, Wolken did extensive research on deep sea animals, investigating the way that their lenses were constructed to allow them to see in the near-complete darkness in waters up to 1500 feet (457.2 m) deep.
Lens
He developed the Light Concentrating Lens System in the 1980s, modeled on the lensesLens (anatomy)
The crystalline lens is a transparent, biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea, helps to refract light to be focused on the retina. The lens, by changing shape, functions to change the focal distance of the eye so that it can focus on objects at various distances, thus allowing a...
of the deep sea creatures he studied,. earning U.S. patent 4,669,832 on June 2, 1987, for his development. The system used a set of pear-shaped lenses whose geometric relationship between the curves at the top and bottom of each lens allowed them to gather 10 times more light than standard lenses. In addition to their use in astronomy and medicine and photography, the lenses could be worn by individuals with cataract
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
s to provide them with improved vision.
He wrote more than 100 articles for scientific journals and wrote or edited 11 books in his field. He continued his research at Carnegie Mellon after his official retirement from the university in 1982.
Family
A resident of Pittsburgh, Wolken died at his home there at age 82 on May 10, 1999. He was survived by his second wife, their daughter Johanna ZornJohanna Zorn
Johanna Zorn is the founder and executive director of the Third Coast International Audio Festival, a Chicago Public Radio program supports artists creating audio documentary and feature work of all styles and brings their work to audiences throughout the world...
and a son. He was also survived by a daughter and a son Jonathan Wolken
Jonathan Wolken
Abraham Jonathan Wolken was one of the original dancers and a co-founder of Pilobolus dance company in 1971, which The New York Times in his obituary calls "one of the most popular modern-dance companies in the world"...
, founder of Pilobolus
Pilobolus (dance company)
Pilobolus is a contemporary dance company whose origins are traced to a 1971 Dartmouth College dance class taught by Alison Becker Chase. The group first began performing in October 1971....
dance company, who were from his first marriage, to Dorothy Mallinger Wolken, who died in 1954.