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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
455 (Bausch & Lomb;
stereoscopic microscope, model BKT; 1943)
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 455 is a stereoscopic microscope engraved with
“BAUSCH & LOMB OPT CO., U.S.A.” and the serial number MD778. The
instrument should be dated to 1943. The stereoscopic binocular head is also
engraved with “PAT. 1622350” and “PAT. 1962834”. The USA patent 1622350 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). The USA patent 1962834 was attributed to Bausch
& Lomb in June 1934, covering further improvement to the same type of
binocular heads (Figure 2). Microscope 455 is described in a 1945 Bausch
& Lomb’s catalogue as a stereoscopic microscope model BKT (Figure 3). Note: this instrument was kindly
donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.
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.
Figure 2. Illustrations describing the Bausch
& Lomb’s improved stereoscopic binocular head and its mechanism for
varying the magnification power, as featured in USA Patent 1962834.
Figure 3. Bausch & Lomb’s stereoscopic
microscope model BKT as featured in a 1945 catalogue of the firm. |
