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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
295 (Bausch and
Lomb; dissecting microscope model T; 1910s)
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 295
is a dissecting microscope made by Bausch and Lomb. The instrument is
labelled with ‘Bausch & Lomb Optical CO, Rochester, NY, New York City,
Chicago’ and should be dated to the 1910s. This microscope is based on a
design by Charles R. Barnes, consisting of a block of wood fashioned to
provide hand rests (Figure 1). The base is hollowed and hinged to constitute
a suitable case for accessories. The glass stage is not original.
Figure 1. Bausch and Lomb dissecting microscope
model T as pictured in a 1911 catalogue of the firm. 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: 22.10.2022 |
