Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 101 (Bausch and Lomb; jug handle microscope BH; 1907)

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Bausch & Lomb was founded by two immigrants from Germany, Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb. Bausch was both an optician and woodworker by training. Their company first became successful with the use of hard rubber eyeglass frames. This eventually allowed expansion of the business into other optical areas including microscopes. Bausch’s son Edward learned to make microscopes, and the company prospered after it began to manufacture them. The first patent granted to Bausch was for a very simple Linen prover type microscope in 1865. About 1874, the firm started to produce both simple and compound microscopes. In 1890 Edward Bausch contacted Carl Zeiss, a German optics firm, and soon arranged for Bausch & Lomb to license Zeiss’s patents, with the exclusive rights to the U.S. market. In 1907 Zeiss bought 20 percent of Bausch & Lomb, granting the company free use of Zeiss patents in the United States. In 1915 Zeiss sold its 20% share back to Bausch & Lomb, and until 1921, the two companies had no dealings with one another (although Bausch & Lomb continued to use Zeiss patents). In 1926 Jacob Bausch died, and Edward Bausch became chairman of the board. In 1937 Bausch & Lomb went public. The Bausch & Lomb's optical systems division was bought by Cambridge Instruments in 1987, using the name Cambridge instruments. Cambridge Instruments merged with Wild-Leitz in 1990 to form Leica plc. Microscope 101 was made by Bausch & Lomb and can be dated to 1907. It contains the inscription ‘Bausch & Lomb Optical Co, Rochester’ and the serial number 68927. This instrument is labelled Microscope BH in the firm’s 1911 catalogue (Figure 1). The base plaque contains also the Triple Alliance logo reflecting the union between Bausch & Lomb, Zeiss and Saegmuller (an engineering instrument maker) that lasted between 1907 and 1915. The microscope is made from brass and japanned brass and has a signature ‘jug-handled’ limb as it resembles a handle. The instrument came with its original wooden box.

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Figure 1. Microscope BH as engraved in the Bausch & Lomb’s catalogue from 1911.

 

References

Bausch & Lomb Optical Company (http://waywiser.fas.harvard.edu/people/220/bausch--lomb-optical-company), last accessed on 14.08.2020

BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO.-ITS HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT (https://www.asprs.org/wp-content/uploads/pers/1941journal/dec/1941_dec_175-180.pdf), last accessed on 14.08.2020

Antique Optics - Bausch & Lomb (https://antiqueoptics.eu/home/landen/verenigde-staten/bausch-lomb/), last accessed on 02.01.2021

 

LAST EDITED: 15.08.2020