Europe's hope on burning mirrors (XIIIth century)

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Abstract Lohrmann, Burning Mirrors in 13th Century Europe For the history of science burning mirrors offer an excellent example of continuity from Greek to Arabic and European scholars. Thirteenth century Europe vowed them particular interest, it studied the problem of how to obtain mirrors with strongest possible concentration of reflected radiation to a focal point. At least five major authors, two Englishmen, a Picard, a Flame, a "Thuringo-Polonus" and a Parisian master originating from Limousin, dealt not only with theory of reflection, but discussed different types of mirrors in order to gain practical experience. The impetus for such research and experiments originated from the Latin translation of Ibn al-Haytham / Alhazen’s treatise de speculis comburentibus (c. 1000). A close confidant of the future Pope Clement IV., Roger Bacon, supported the construction of a first Western European concave mirror by the French engineer Pierre de Maricourt. Bacon sent information to the papal curia which was in that period an important center of scientific research and scholarly work on optics. Besides the expectation of future practical uses in various trades, scientists became fascinated by the idea of military action against Muslims in the Holy Land. The author finally wonders why research on concentrated solar power (CSP) went on during centuries, but failed constantly by financial considerations and seems to be in danger even now.

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