The development of optical glass is closely related to the development of optical instruments. The new reform of optical system often puts forward new requirements for optical glass, which promotes the development of optical glass. Similarly, the success of trial production of new type of glass often reverses the development of optical instruments.

        The optical material used to make optics is natural crystal. It is said that ancient Asia used crystal as lens, while in ancient China, natural tourmaline (tea mirror) and Topaz were used. Archaeologists have proved that glass can be made in Egypt and our Warring States period. But glass as glasses and mirrors began in Venice. Since then, Galileo, Newton and Descartes have also made telescopes and microscopes out of glass for the development of astronomers and navigation. Since the 16th century, glass has become the main material for optical components.

        In the 17th century, achromatism of optical system became a problem of optical instruments. At this time, because of the improvement of the glass composition, hull only obtained the achromatic lens in 1729, and the optical glass is divided into two categories: coronal glass and flint glass.