The development of optical glass and the development of optical instruments are inseparable. The new reform of optical systems often puts forward new requirements for optical glass, thus promoting the development of optical glass. Similarly, the successful trial production of new varieties of glass often leads to the development of optical instruments.
The optical materials that have long been used by people to make optics are natural crystals. It is said that ancient Asia used crystals as lenses, while in ancient China, natural tourmaline (tea mirror) and citrine were used. Archaeologists have proven that glass could already be made in Egypt and during our Warring States period. But glass as glasses and mirrors still began in Venice. Subsequently, due to the development needs of astronomers and navigation, Galileo, Newton, Descartes, and others also made telescopes and microscopes out of glass. Since the 16th century, glass has become the main material for manufacturing optical components.
In the 17th century, chromatic aberration in optical systems became a problem for optical instruments. At this time, due to the improvement of glass composition, Herr obtained an achromatic lens in 1729, and optical glass was divided into two categories: crown glass and flint glass.