Archive Section 11
Historical Timeline
Antiquity: Open Fires
Early coastal navigation relied on simple open wood or coal fires situated on elevated headlands.
18th Century: Enclosed Lanterns
The development of enclosed lantern rooms protected the flame from the wind, allowing for the use of more sophisticated oil lamps and parabolic metallic reflectors.
1822: The Fresnel Lens
Augustin-Jean Fresnel introduces the stepped annular lens, drastically increasing the luminous range and efficiency of lighthouse optics.
Late 19th Century: Civil Engineering Peaks
Masterpiece rock lighthouses are constructed on incredibly difficult, wave-swept offshore reefs using advanced interlocking granite masonry.
20th Century: Electrification & Automation
The gradual transition from vaporised oil to electric lamps, followed by the introduction of remote telemetry which allowed for the eventual withdrawal of resident keepers.