Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 162 (Steindorff & Co; c. 1960)

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The mechanic Emil Steindorff started producing scientific instruments on Reichenberger Straße, Berlin in 1879. In 1915, Otto and Emil Steindorff are both owners of the company. Otto Steindorff was a mechanic as well. In 1925, the company’s head office was located on Lindenstraße, Berlin. The firm was named Steindorff & Co. Possibly, the future owner Julius Kaiser joined the firm at that time. Two years later, the firm traded under the name ‘Optisch Mechanische Fabrik Steindorff & Co’.  Since then, the firm’s head office was located on Köpenicker Straße, Berlin. In 1951, a firm named ‘Steindorff of America Inc’ was founded in the USA to distribute their microscopes in that country. The company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1954 with 80 staff members. The factory was then located at Paul-Lincke-Ufer, Berlin. In the 1980’s, the firm was named ‘Optisch Mechanische Fabrik Steindorff & Co GmbH’, and finally goes bankrupt in 1986. Microscope 162 is signed ‘Steindorff, Berlin’ and has the serial number 611281, being dated to c. 1960.

 

References

History of manufacture in Berlin – microscopes throughout the world, STEINDORFF & CO (http://steindorff-berlin.de/Steindorff/steindorff.html), last accessed on 14.08.2020

Between Glamour and Glory: the Steindorff "Microbe Hunter" (http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artdec08/mm-mdc-steindorff.html), last accessed on 14.08.2020

 

LAST EDITED: 26.01.2021