Paul M. Krueger

ㅤThe inspiration for Griffith Observatory stemmed from a profound experience of Colonel Griffith J. Griffith. During a visit to the Mount Wilson Observatory, which housed the world’s largest telescope at the time, the 60-inch reflector, Griffith was granted the opportunity to peer into the cosmos. This experience deeply moved him, prompting him to declare, “Man’s sense of values ought to be revised. If all mankind could look through that telescope, it would revolutionize the world.” This moment ignited Griffith’s desire to share the wonders of the universe with the public.

ㅤDriven by his transformative experience, Griffith sought counsel from leading experts in astronomy and public education, including George Ellery Hale, a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Yerkes and Mount Wilson Observatories. He then established a trust fund with the specific aim of constructing an observatory designed to educate and inspire. Griffith envisioned a facility equipped with solar and celestial telescopes, a scientific theater, and a museum, dubbed the “Hall of Science,” dedicated to illustrating humanity’s place within the vast expanse of space and time. He stipulated in his will that the celestial telescope should be “at least 12-inches in diameter,” “complete in all its details,” and positioned “high and above the Hall of Science.”

ㅤFollowing Griffith’s passing in 1919, the realization of his vision was delayed until the trust committee deemed the fund sufficient. In 1930, they sought assistance from Walter Adams, the Director of Mount Wilson Observatory, and George Ellery Hale, who was then overseeing the planning of the 200-inch Hale Telescope. Russell W. Porter, Hale’s artist, instrument designer, architectural consultant, and a key figure in the amateur telescope-making movement, recommended the 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope as the ideal instrument to fulfill Griffith’s aspirations. In 1931, the Griffith Trust placed an order with the Carl Zeiss Company of Jena, Germany, marking the first expenditure on the observatory’s construction.

ㅤThe Zeiss telescope underwent initial testing in a specialized room at the factory, equipped with a retractable roof for stargazing. During a visit, astronomer Walter Baade was invited to be the first to observe starlight through the lens. Baade would later relocate to California and achieve acclaim for his work using the Mount Wilson and Palomar Mountain telescopes. Tragically, the Zeiss factory in Jena was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, a decade after Baade’s visit.

ㅤIn early 1935, Zeiss workers assembled the telescope in its dome at Griffith Observatory. While the opening night on May 14, 1935, was obscured by clouds, the public had their first opportunity to gaze through the telescope on May 17. Since then, the telescope has consistently fulfilled Griffith’s mission, providing public access to the night sky on every clear night, reaching over seven million visitors.