The Strange Story of the Bird-Jones Telescope (One Designer Was Blind!)

This documentary will touch your soul, showing how perseverance eventually led to a couple of best friends inventing a new commercial telescope. This is the complete history of the Bird-Jones telescope, invented over a period of time from 1957 through 1976. In this video, I show you the three inventors lives and how they changed the telescope world, despite one of them being blind. Also included is a compressed history of telescopes. #astronomy #telescope #history #invention /// HELP SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL. CHECK OUT MY Sci-Fi BOOK SERIES! Adventure Scifi Novel Series (Note: the title refers to a chemical): Kindle Edition: https://amzn.to/49O9bud Paperback: https://amzn.to/4aPRc7Y Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3WhhXOw Additional Production Notes: Fort Worth Aviation Museum: https://fortworthaviationmuseum.com/ Sky And Telescope Magazine: https://skyandtelescope.org/ David Grey's main optical software was called Grey. William Peck's main optical software was called COOL-Genii. // 3D Part Mask Files: Mask Set: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:483... /// AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (Note: I earn a small commission from these links) /// Upgrade your eyepieces: https://amzn.to/42k7xAx Great first Dobsonian: https://amzn.to/4jnYNzy Celestron Firstscope Dobsonian: https://amzn.to/4jBjdVZ Celestron Firstscope Dobsonian (Accessories): https://amzn.to/47NGduv Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ: https://amzn.to/3uODa6F (prices have risen) NICE 8 inch Dobsonian Telescope: https://amzn.to/4hhUpQH Upgrade your eyepieces: https://amzn.to/42k7xAx SVBony Laser Collimation tool with adapter: https://amzn.to/3M9YOZz Best Smartphone Adapter EVER (as of 2025): https://amzn.to/3MYYnBF Best Value Set Of Upgraded Eyepieces: https://amzn.to/3Y7MYmn Best Overall Red Dot Finder: https://amzn.to/3UQVPJr Economy Smartphone adapter: https://amzn.to/3WfKS2e Bluetooth shutter button: https://amzn.to/3OBpW1i (prices have risen) Best book for new astronomers: "Turn Left At Orion": https://amzn.to/3PDxLo4 Like what you saw? Please push LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and leave a comment! YouTube NOTES: 1) This video complies with the YouTube Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. 2) This video does not contain any music or soundtracks. 3) All products shown were purchased by me with my own money. 4) This video does not contain any controversial subjects, children, offensive material or language. Summary: This video is a documentary about the history of the Bird-Jones telescope, as it was invented by R.T. Jones (NASA), Thomas Bird, and Al Bowen.