Estelle Glancy: An Optics Pioneer

Dick Whitney

Over the course of her career, Estelle Glancy was the only female scientist in eyewear lens design. Forty years after her death, she is finally gaining recognition for her innovations.

figureEstelle Glancy at work at the American Optical Company. [Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH]

In a career spanning three decades, Estelle Glancy made numerous innovations across the field of optics. Yet she still fell victim to the “glass ceiling” facing women in many professions—or, in Glancy’s case, what might be called an “eyeglass ceiling.”

Log in or become a member to view the full text of this article.


This article may be available for purchase via the search at Optica Publishing Group.
Optica Members get the full text of Optics & Photonics News, plus a variety of other member benefits.

Add a Comment