Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

      

Microscope 270 (Bausch and Lomb; Hastings measuring magnifier; 1990s)

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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 270 is a Bausch and Lomb’s Hastings measuring magnifier, magnification 7x, dated from the 1990s. The transparent body allows illumination to fall on the magnified area. The body is threaded so that the lens can be focussed. There is a measuring scale screwed onto the bottom of the lens and the instrument has its original protective leather case.

 

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: 02.10.2022