'The Telescope Completed', 1900. The Great Paris Exhibition Telescope of 1900, the largest refracting telescope ever constructed, had an objective lens of 1.25 m (49 in) in diameter. Conceived as the centrepiece of the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900, it was the brainchild of Fran?ois Deloncle. The mirrors and lenses were made by the Gautier Company and the Jeumont Glassworks. It was not suited for scientific use, however, as its design made it difficult to aim at astronomical objects. When the exposition finished, the telescope's builders were unable to sell it and it was broken up for scrap, the lenses being removed and stored. From "The Strand Magazine, an illustrated monthly", Volume XIX - January to June 1900, edited by George Newnes. [George Newnes Ltd, London, 1900]