Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

      

Microscope 453 (Bausch & Lomb; stereoscopic microscope with drum nosepiece; c. 1927)

 

A close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA gold microscope on a white background Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA close-up of a gold microscope Description automatically generatedA gold and silver microscope Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generated

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% 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 453 is a stereoscopic microscope engraved with “BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO., Rochester, N.Y., U.S.A.” and the serial number 205236. The instrument should be dated to c. 1927. The stereoscopic binocular head is also engraved with “PAT. 1622350”. This USA patent was attributed to Bausch & Lomb in March 1927, covering the invention of a new improved mechanism for varying the magnification power of microscope binocular heads (Figure 1). This mechanism was materialised in the KW wide field binocular microscope with drum nosepiece used with different stands (Figure 2). However, no information was found about the stand represented by microscope 453.

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

 

A picture containing sketch, machine, drawing Description automatically generated

Figure 1. Illustrations describing the Bausch & Lomb’s improved mechanism for varying the magnification power of microscope binocular heads, as featured in USA Patent 622350.

 

A picture containing microscope, machine, scientific instrument Description automatically generated

Figure 2. KW wide field binocular microscope with drum nosepiece used with different stands, as featured in a Bausch & Lomb’s 1930s catalogue.