Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

Spherometer engraved with ‘W. G. PYE & Co, Cambridge’ (early to mid-20th century)

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Spherometer engraved with ‘W. G. PYE & Co, Cambridge’ (Figure 1). The instrument should be dated to the early to mid-20th century and was used to measure the radius of curvature of concave and convex surfaces of mirrors and lenses. WG Pye was founded in 1896 in Cambridge, England by William George Pye (1869 - 1949). Pye was a scientific instrument maker employed at Cavendish Laboratory of the University of Cambridge. In 1922, the company began a subsidiary producing radios which was sold in 1929 to George Orr Stanley, becoming Pye Radio Ltd (later Pye Ltd). Between 1936 and 1947, the company mostly manufactured military equipment. In 1947, WG Pye & Co was sold to Pye Ltd, and, in 1976, the Pye group of companies was bought by Philips.

Figure 1. Student’s spherometer by WG Pye and Co as featured in a catalogue of the firm from the early 20th century

 

LAST EDITED: 02.10.2022