W. Lewis Hyde
Encyclopedia
Walter Lewis Hyde was an American
physicist, an early contributor to the field of fiber optics. He held patent
s for devices used in ophthalmology
, as well as a panoramic rear-view mirror for automobiles.
Originally from Minnesota
, he studied physics at Harvard University
. He worked at the Polaroid Corporation
in the nascent field of fiber optics. He married Elizabeth Sanford Hyde, and they had six children, including Lewis Hyde
. In the 1950s, he worked for the London Office of Naval Research, tracking European physics research. He went on to become the Director of Development at the American Optics Company, and then a professor of optics at the University of Rochester
. He then changed gears to administration, and served as provost of New York University
until 1972. He served as President of the Optical Society of America
in 1970
He married Elizabeth Sanford, who became the President of Woodstock Academy
's Board of Trustees and helped lead the Academy's renovation and building project in the early 90s. The library and media center there is named after her.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist, an early contributor to the field of fiber optics. He held patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
s for devices used in ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
, as well as a panoramic rear-view mirror for automobiles.
Originally from Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, he studied physics at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He worked at the Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is an American-based international consumer electronics and eyewear company, originally founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land. It is most famous for its instant film cameras, which reached the market in 1948, and continued to be the company's flagship product line until the February...
in the nascent field of fiber optics. He married Elizabeth Sanford Hyde, and they had six children, including Lewis Hyde
Lewis Hyde
Lewis Hyde is a scholar, essayist, translator, cultural critic and writer whose scholarly work focuses on the nature of imagination, creativity, and property.-Early life:...
. In the 1950s, he worked for the London Office of Naval Research, tracking European physics research. He went on to become the Director of Development at the American Optics Company, and then a professor of optics at the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
. He then changed gears to administration, and served as provost of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
until 1972. He served as President of the Optical Society of America
Optical Society of America
The Optical Society is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the study of light—optics and photonics—in theory and application, by means of publishing, organizing conferences and exhibitions, partnership with industry, and education. The organization has members in more than 100 countries...
in 1970
He married Elizabeth Sanford, who became the President of Woodstock Academy
Woodstock Academy
Woodstock Academy, founded in 1801, is an endowed academy or independent high school for students located in Woodstock, Connecticut, United States....
's Board of Trustees and helped lead the Academy's renovation and building project in the early 90s. The library and media center there is named after her.
See also
- Optical Society of America#Past Presidents of the OSA