Optical Museum Jena is a museum in Jena, Germany dedicated to the history of optics and the optical industry. It is the oldest museum of its kind in the world and was founded in 1917 to celebrate the centennial of the invention of the first practical, achromatic objective lens by Carl Zeiss in 1817, which revolutionized optical instruments in science, engineering, and industry. The museum is housed in the former Zeiss factory and contains a wide range of artifacts from the history of optics, including microscopes, telescopes, binoculars, cameras, optical lenses and other optical components, optical instruments, and scientific instruments.
It also includes a library, archive, and research facilities. The museum offers a variety of exhibits and activities, such as guided tours, lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. It also holds special events throughout the year, such as lectures, film screenings, and performances. In addition, the museum regularly hosts symposia and conferences devoted to the history and development of optics. The museum's collection includes more than 5,000 items, many of which were donated by Carl Zeiss, Ernst Abbe, and others who worked in the field of optics in Jena.