|
|
Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
|
|
|
|
|
Microscope
181 (W. Watson
& Sons; Vulcan metallurgical inspection microscope; c. 1934)
W.
Watson & Sons were opticians and camera makers trading from
London and Edinburgh. The company was originally founded in 1837 by William
Watson at 71 City Road, and the business continued at this address until
1861, when it moved to 313 High Holborn. In 1867, the name was changed to W.
Watson & Son. In 1882, the name was changed to W. Watson &
Sons. In 1900 the company acquired the John Browning and Co., and in 1908
the firm became W. Watson & Sons Ltd. In 1929 they published an
advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and
Photographic Exhibit, highlighting the manufacture of microscopes for
medical, industrial and educational purposes. Into the 1950s, the company
changed their address to 25 West End Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, where they
stayed until the late 1960s. In 1957 the company was acquired by Pye of
Cambridge and ten years later, taken over by Philips. By 1970 the manufacture
of microscopes was over. Microscope 181 is a Watson’s compound metallurgical
inspection microscope, Vulcan model (Figure 1). The instrument is signed
‘Vulcan, W. Watson & Sons Ltd, London’ and contains the serial number
‘55887’, allowing to date the instrument to c. 1934. It is a compound
microscope with an electric vertical illuminator. Focus is by diagonal rack
and pinion. This instrument was described as a simple microscope for
examining metal in the field.
Figure
1.
Watson’s Vulcan metallurgical inspection microscope as engraved in a 1923
catalogue of the firm. References W. Watson and Sons (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/W._Watson_and_Sons), last accessed on
12.08.2020 COMPOUND
METALLURGICAL INSPECTION MICROSCOPE (https://www.microscope-antiques.com/vulcan.html), last accessed on
19.04.2021 LAST
EDITED: 05.05.2021 |
