Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 423 (R. Winkel; continental type microscope; 1917)

 

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Rudolf Winkel started his microscope manufacturing company in 1857 in Gottingen, Germany. In 1858, he took F. G. Voigt as an apprentice, who later also started the firm Voigt & Hochgesang (in 1869). By 1880, Rudolf’s three sons were working in the company. After Rudolf’s death in 1905, the sons continued with the company, expanded the product range, and started mass production. By 1911, Carl Zeiss was a major shareholder of Winkel, and the company was incorporated as R. Winkel GmbH. In 1957, the company became part of the Carl Zeiss Foundation. Microscope 423 is engraved with “R. WINKEL, GOTTINGEN”, the serial number 20451, and is dated to 1917 (the date 24/11/1917 is written in the magnification information label that accompanies the original wooden box of the instrument).

Note: this instrument was kindly donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.