The SPIE A. E. Conrady Award in Optical Engineering is presented in recognition of exceptional contributions in design, construction, testing and theory of optical and illumination systems and instrumentation. Honorarium $2,000.
Alexander Eugen Conrady (January 27, 1866 - June 16, 1944) was an eminent optical designer, academician, and textbook author. His classic textbook Applied Optics and Optical Design inspired numerous new technologies including advances in various types of lenses for telescopes, periscopes, and photographic systems. Significant theoretical contributions include development of the doctrine of optical path length (OPL) and optical path difference (OPD).