
Thomas Godfrey: A New Way to See the Horizon
From All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories by Joe Lex
June 3, 2026 · 25 min · Episode 490
About this episode
The episode discusses Thomas Godfrey, a pioneer inventor from the New World who improved navigation safety at sea through his work with light and glass.
ABC:LHS #087-2 Thomas Godfrey... ...was one of the New World's first native inventors. While working as a glazier, he was intrigued by the reflection and refraction of light through a shard of glass. This led to his invention that made life on the seas easier and safer, and saved thousands of lives in the process.
People in this episode
Host: Joe Lex
Topics covered
- invention
- history
- navigation
- safety at sea
- light refraction
Keywords
- Thomas Godfrey
- invention
- navigation
- safety
- light
- refraction
- glazier
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: New World
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