Zeiss, Carl

Carl Zeiss (1816-1888) was both an inventor and industrialist. Zeiss was born in Germany and educated in medicine, but he soon showed an interest in microscopes. Eventually he started a company called Zeiss Optical Works in Jena, Germany, that built specialized lenses for research equipment. Along with his partner, Ernst Abbe (1840-1905), Zeiss helped set design standards for medical glass that still stand today. For the microscope, Zeiss invented the apochromatic lens, which improved its focus.

Zeiss, Carl (1816–88) German manufacturer of optical instruments. In 1846, Zeiss established a factory at Jena and made various optical components, including lenses, binoculars and microscopes.