30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

“Knowledge-based, expert system, and neural network methods have been investigated to aid the designer in choosing where to begin … Genesee Optics Software is investigating neural network methods that can be ‘trained’ to select the most appropriate starting point from a library of possibilities. Given sufficient training, the method can, in principle, intelligently select the best starting configuration from a large library of existing designs … The application of artificial intelligence to lens design is in its infancy, but the long-term possibilities are promising.”