November 23, 2021
Today in 1948, the first US patent for a lens to provide zoom effects for television cameras was issued to F.G. Back. His Zoomar lens was adjustable for closeups or long-distance shots without requiring the camera be moved toward or away from the object televised. Similar zoom lenses have a wide variety of applications, including extensive use in planetariums.
Zoom lenses have a variety of applications today. Credit: US patent 2,913,957
