Sarah Mather facts for kids

Sarah Mather (born in Brooklyn in 1796 – died June 21, 1868) was an American inventor. She is famous for creating and patenting the very first underwater telescope.

Who Was Sarah Mather?

Sarah Mather was born Sarah Porter Stiman in Brooklyn, New York, in 1796. She married Harlow Mather in 1819 when she was 23 years old. Not much is known about her personal life, but we do know she was a mother.

On April 16, 1845, Sarah Mather received a patent for her amazing invention: the "submarine telescope and lamp." This was a big deal! At the time, the United States was involved in the Mexican-American War. However, her invention became even more important later during the American Civil War. As submarines started to be used in battles, Sarah's invention helped a lot. She passed away on June 21, 1868.

What Was the Submarine Telescope?

Sarah Mather's invention, called the "Submarine Telescope and Lamp," was designed to help people see underwater. It was adjustable, meaning it could be changed to fit different needs. She drew very detailed pictures of her invention, which made it easier to get her patent.

The telescope had a special lamp that could light up the water. This allowed people to see as far as 500 feet and as deep as 250 feet underwater! Before her invention, it was very hard to see clearly underwater.

How Did It Work?

Sarah's telescope helped solve many problems. For example, if a ship was damaged underwater, people often had to pull the entire ship out of the water to check it. With her telescope, they could examine the damage while the ship was still in the water.

The telescope was built with parts that could be adjusted. It also had special watertight joints to keep water out. The lamp had a reflector globe, which helped spread the light and improve visibility even more. Plus, the telescope had a clever air circulation system. This stopped the tube from collapsing under the high pressure of deep water. Sarah Mather's invention was a truly original idea that helped advance the entire naval industry.

How Did Sarah Mather's Invention Impact the World?

Even though Sarah Mather invented her underwater telescope over 150 years ago, her idea still influences technology today. Her invention inspired modern tools like aquascopes, bathyscapes, and periscopes.

Today, underwater telescopes and similar technologies are still used to explore the ocean and even save lives. For example, underwater investigations and search teams use tools that were inspired by Mather's original telescope. While sonar scans and diving teams now do much of the underwater exploration, they aim to achieve the same goal as Sarah's invention: seeing clearly underwater.

Modern Uses of Underwater Viewing Technology

Sarah's idea for improving underwater visibility is still alive. Similar adjustable telescopes are used today. For instance, scientists use advanced equipment like BaikalGVD in Lake Baikal to search for tiny particles called neutrinos.

While the original "submarine telescope" might look old-fashioned now, its main purpose—to explore and help people—has not changed. Sarah Mather's invention has inspired many new creations. These tools are now used in military operations and even in medical optics.

Sarah Mather's personal life might not be well-known, but her amazing invention has had a lasting impact on history and will continue to inspire future innovators.