Fresnel Lens In Angleton

Got to see the original version of the Fresnel lens today in Angleton.  Felt a swell of emotion when I saw it.  Most of that was getting to see Kaley see it, but some was thinking about Augusten Fresnel, the invention of the lens, how it was produced, how well it worked for ships at sea... real ships, on turbulent seas, at night seeing that light.  Quite amazing and beautiful.

PS: An aside.  Kaley asked if they used this anymore.  Herb, the guide, said, "Awww nahhhh, it's all just GPS now."  The reason for that is that GPS works better than a light house (at least here). But there's something missing... something empty.  Maybe it's the fall of these great inventions.  Maybe it's the absence of story and people.  Maybe it's simply the metaphore of the lighthouse, that "beacon".

Maybe it's like the soccer ball that the kids borrow because it's in a special cocoon net thing.

okay... getting sloopy :-)