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John Tyndall demonstrated to the Royal Society that light could be conducted through a curved stream of water, proving that a light signal could be bent.
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Alexander Graham Bell invented his "Photophone," which transmitted a voice signal on a beam of light.
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William Wheeler invented a system of light pipes lined with a highly reflective coating that illuminated homes by using light from an electric arc lamp placed in the basement and directing the light around the home with the pipes.
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Englishman John Logie Baird and American Clarence W. Hansell patented the idea of using arrays of transparent rods to transmit images for television and facsimiles respectively.
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A critical (and theoretical) specification was identified by Dr. C.K. Kao for long-range communication devices. The specification was 10 or 20 decibels of light loss per kilometer, which established the standard. Kao also illustrated the need for a purer form of glass to help reduce light loss.
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The first optical telephone communication system was installed about 1.5 miles under downtown Chicago
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American David Smith applied for a patent on a bent glass rod device to be used as a surgical lamp.
