Toroidal lens for 360 degree view

A few years ago I saw an invention described in a tv article that used a toroid shaped lens to obtain a 360 degree panoramic view.It seems like it was a Greek scientist, and he said that it was modeled after the eye of an octopus.I know the octopus eye is composed of many layers of variable-refractive material to achieve high focus ability, but I wasn't aware that their eyes were torroidal.Anyway, it seems that this lens would have military usefulness,as well as many civilian uses.

Does anyone remember the name of the gentleman, or the lens?I have Googled it with no success.

Thanks