Light Hearted Ep 15 – John Mann, Felipe De Paula, Ponce Inlet, Florida; invention of the Fresnel lens

John Mann and Felipe De Paula at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Museum Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Photo by Jeremy D’Entremont Join hosts Jeremy D’Entremont and Cindy Johnson for the second of three “Florida Week” episodes. At 175 feet tall, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the state and the third tallest in the United States. It became a national historic landmark in 1998. John Mann is the Lead Docent for on-site tours and community outreach, and educational programs advisor for the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. Felipe De Paula is the registrar and assistant curator. Jeremy interviewed them both during a recent visit. The lens exhibit at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Museum. Photo by Jeremy D’Entremont In the history segment, Cindy and Jeremy discuss Augustin-Jean Fresnel, the brilliant French civil engineer and physicist who is best remembered for the invention in the 1820s of a type of lens that increased the visibility of lighthouses and saved countless lives. There’s also another trivia contest with a chance to win prizes.