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The first "auto refraction device", incidentally named the 6600 Auto Refractor, was created by a venture capitalist company named Acuity Systems Inc., McLean, VA approximately 1972-73. I did not join the company until March 1973, so I can not give the exact specifics.

It was a rather large type box sitting on a pedestal with wheels, approximately 36lx24wx24h. It operated by using infra-red light leds, four in 90 degree angles, passing thru a combination hot-cold prism. A hot-cold prism allows both visible and infra-red light, but deflects one at 90 degree angles to the other.

The LEDs were able to rotate a total of 180 degrees which made possible finding correction for cylinder and axis errors in addition to any spherical correction. Spherical measurement was made by a series of lenses traveling on a sliding tract that moved until the optimal signal was obtained from the LEDs.

As this device predates modern computer chips, it took what was called a "card cage". A series of approximately 24 electronic cards of 4x6 inches fit into slots. The majority of components were simple early electronic logic chips, various resistors, capacitors, transistors, and related electronics. While overall it was a considerable amount of electronics, field servicing was relatively easy as each of the 24 cards had specific functions. Therefore, field engineers traveled with large suit cases containing a backup set of these electronic cards. They could merely replace a defective card, install a replacement, and solve issues without needing days of tracing through the vast array of electronics.

As a device which sold originally for approximately $16,000 and quickly advanced to around $24,000 (in present 2019 that would be @$40 - 55,000 so it was not a cheap investment), it was primarily of interest to ophthalmologists to get a fairly accurate refraction in seconds. This time saving meant the capacity to see more patients daily in large practices.

Principal officers were: Steven Heller, V.P; Steven Darden, V.P., Edward J. Hoyles, Dir. Field Services, Gordon Michaels and the main office was location at 1820 Old Meadows Rd., McLean, VA.

The company filed bankruptcy around 1976, but Gordon Michaels continued independently to service existing systems on a private fee basis.

Contributed by: G. A. Green, field engineer, Acuity Systems Inc., 1973-75. greggagreen@gmail.com