Robert Wood with a mercury mirror

Credit: EMILIO SEGRE VISUAL ARCHIVES/AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

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Caption: Robert Williams Wood (1868-1955), US physicist, in his laboratory with a mercury mirror (lower left). 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 included the Rumford Medal of the Royal Society, London, and the Henry Draper Medal of the US National Academy of Sciences.

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