Eye x Lens

In the second trimester of 2016, Dr Blas Bruni Celli's microscope collection arrived at the Royal National Academy of Medicine from Venezuela, having been donated by his daughter, Dr Maria Eugenia Bruni. On October 4, 2016 the "Ojo x Lente" (Eye x Lens) exhibition opened at the Infanta Margarita Museum of Medicine (MMIM), using the "Bruni Collection" to explore the evolution of the microscope throughout history.

The collection boasts over 70 original microscopes and various accessories dating from the first half of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. More than half the items in the collection were temporarily put on display in two adjoining rooms at the RANM which host different exhibitions during the year.

The exhibition was supplemented by books and paintings owned by the RANM, such as the portrait of Santiago Ramón y Cajal which can be seen in this image and graphic. This helped visitors understand the development of the microscope throughout history.

In this virtual exhibition, you will find a selection of the collection's most significant items, arranged chronologically and accompanied by detailed fact sheets that we hope you will find interesting.

Culpeper-type microscope made around 1740 by Matthew Loft in London.

This microscope was made by Matthew Loft (1697–1747), an apprentice of Thomas Gay, who in 1720 set up his own workshop in London's Threadneedle Street making microscopes, telescopes, and drawing instruments.

This type of microscope is named after the English optician Edmund Culpeper (c. 1660–1740), who made microscopes and a range of scientific instruments. He worked at mathematical instrument maker Walter Hayes' workshop and went on to specialize in making microscopes, introducing famous modifications such as the tripod stand and the concave mirror at the bottom as a lighting system.

Culpeper-type microscope made by R.B. Bate of London, probably in the first half of the 18th century.

This is also a Culpeper-type microscope, this time made by successful scientific instrument maker Robert Brettell Bate (1782–1847), who was born in Stourbridge, England. He opened his first workshop in central London in 1807 at No. 17 Poultry and gradually extended along the street to No. 20 and then, in 1824, to No. 21. As well as microscopes, he made telescopes, barometers, drawing instruments, sextants, and more.

Monocular model, maker unknown, inspired by the models of J.F. Griendel (1631–87) and probably made in Nuremberg in the 18th century.

Johann Franz Griendel was an important naturalist, German microscope maker, and author of the book "Micrographia Nova" (1687).

Monocular compound microscope made around 1750, probably in Nuremberg. Maker unknown.

This type of microscope is commonly known as a "sentry box" and has a design similar to a Benjamin Martin pocket microscope. These used to be made for middle-class enthusiasts as they cost less to produce and were more accessible to amateurs than conventional microscopes, helping to popularize science among society.

Cuff-type microscope made by Peter Dollond in around 1750.

Peter Dollond (1706–61) was a British optician who built and designed a variety of scientific instruments. He improved the microscope optical system thanks, among other things, to his great invention: the apochromatic lens, with its improved correction of chromatic and spherical aberration by combining three lenses instead of two. He made this Cuff-type microscope in 1750.

London microscope maker John Cuff (1708–72) devised this type of microscope. His main innovation was getting rid of the Culpeper tripod stand and replacing it with two metal parts: one fixed to the stand with another that slid along it.

Among others, John Cuff worked with Henry Baker (1698–1774), the English naturalist who gained notoriety for his microscopic observations of salt particle crystallization.

Simple botanical "pocket" microscope. Made in brass and ivory, probably after 1798. Maker unknown but it is similar to instruments made by English firm W. & S. Jones.

This very simple type of botanical microscope was popular towards the end of the 18th century and during the 19th century. It was first mentioned in the second edition of "Essays on the Microscope" by George Adams in 1798.

William and Samuel Jones were scientific instrument makers who, following the death of George Adams "the younger," bought the copyright for his books and published a second edition featuring an illustrated description of this kind of botanical microscope.

Brass "pocket" microscope. Made by William Cary in London in around 1790.

This kind of microscope was widely reproduced and used by botanists in the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to its compact size, which made it easy to transport. Its maker, William Cary (1759–1825), was an Englishman who manufactured a wide range of scientific instruments.

Simple entomological microscope or magnifying glass in bone. Maker unknown. Probably from the mid-19th century.

This type of microscope was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries because it was easy to transport and simple to use for observing insects and other small organisms.

Solar projection microscope made around 1755 in brass and glass by English scientific instrument maker Jeremiah Watkins.

These microscopes were designed to project the image of what was being observed onto a screen. Many people see them as a development of the camera obscura and magic lantern. To use the microscope, it had to be placed in a dark room with a small opening in the wall. The light that was let in would be reflected off the mirror to illuminate the wall opposite.

This model is attributed to scientific instrument maker Jeremiah Watkins, who worked in partnership with Walter Watkins. Together, they made a wealth of instruments for different scientific and mathematical purposes, among others.

Enhanced Benjamin Martin monocular drum-type microscope. Made in brass, probably around 1850. Produced by John Crichton.

John Crichton was an English scientific instrument maker. He worked in London from 1831 to 1865 producing and selling barometers, magnetic compasses, drawing instruments, microscopes, and more.

Oberhauser-type microscope. In brass with lead in the base. Made around 1845.

The most striking and characteristic aspect of this instrument is the base which, although round, is heavier than other drum-type microscopes because lead is used to improve stability. This is one of the developments introduced by its maker, Oberhauser.

George Oberhauser (1798–1868), who was from Germany, began by working in Paris with other scientific instrument makers such as Trécourt and Bouquet. He subsequently set up his own business and eventually worked in partnership with Hartnack, who later took over the firm when Oberhauser retired.

Monocular compound microscope made around 1847–51 by Smith & Beck in London. Made entirely of brass.

James Smith began making microscopes in 1820. He founded his own business in 1829 and created a company with Richard Beck in 1847, which they called "Smith & Beck." In 1851 Joseph Beck joined the company, which was then renamed "Smith, Beck & Beck." When James Smith retired, the company changed its name once again to "R & J Beck." These men were responsible for most of the developments in the field of microscopes and optics in mid-19th-century England.

Binocular compound microscope. Made in brass by R & J Beck. Produced around 1868.

The company "R & J Beck" was founded in London by brothers Richard and Joseph Beck, who were nephews of Jackson Lister: a renowned English optician and physicist who did important experiments with achromatic lenses. They had previously worked in partnership with James Smith at "Smith, Beck & Beck," which had employed 40 men and 35 young people.

The new firm created by the two brothers was, for many years, based at 6 Coleman Street in London, producing a variety of optical instruments such as microscopes, telescopes, military periscopes, lenses, cameras, and more. In 1865 the company moved to 31 Cornhill Street in London, and Richard published his book "The Achromatic Microscope" that same year.

R & J Beck products were famous for their quality and affordability. This type of microscope began to be produced three years after Smith retired from the business in 1865.

Binocular compound microscope. Made in brass by James Swift. Produced around 1872.

James Powell Swift was an apprentice to Andrew Ross and worked with him until 1853. In 1854 he started his own business and in 1872 he moved his firm to University Street in London. This model dates from that period, as shown by its inscription. James' son, Mansell James Swift, started working with him in 1877 and from then on they began signing their instruments "James Swift & Son." After James Powell Swift died in 1906, his son and grandson continued to run the business well into the 20th century, until the start of the Second World War.

The foot of this microscope is very similar to those made by Englishman Henry Crouch during the same period.

Monocular compound microscope. Made in brass in around 1870 by the producer "Baker."

Charles Baker (1814–93) was a famous English optical and scientific instrument maker. In 1851 he set up at 244 High Holborn in London, from where he worked for many years. His workshop remained active even after his death.

Monocular compound microscope. From Hartnack's workshop. Made in brass in 1875.

This microscope is a "continental" model equipped with all the components that contributed to the style's success in its day: its compact size, the shape of the foot, and its microscopic focusing system.

Sigmund Freud was a close friend of Hartnack's and carried out numerous histological studies on brain cells using a microscope similar to this. The model is also identical to the first microscope bought by Santiago Ramón y Cajal when he began his research at the age of 25.

Edmund Hartnack (1826–91) was the protégé of his famous uncle, George Oberhauser. In 1860 he took over his company, introducing improvements and innovations without changing the instruments' shape. C. Verick was a prominent pupil of Hartnack's. He signed the microscopes as a distinguished student and later founded his own company in 1870.

Monocular compound microscope known as "The International." Made in brass by Moritz Pillischer around 1875.

Moritz Pillischer won medals from the Royal Microscope Society in 1851, 1855, and 1862. His workshops were located at 398 Oxford Street between 1851 and 1853, then at 88 New Bond Street between 1854 and 1887. He was renowned for the quality of his lenses among other things.

Monocular compound microscope. Made in brass except for the base. Created by French firm Hartnack, probably in 1888.

E. Hartnack was Oberhauser's nephew and protégé. In 1860 he took over the company and introduced improvements and innovations while trying to preserve the instruments' original shape. As a result of the Franco-Prussian war, he moved to Potsdam in 1870, where he continued his work.

"Pocket" monocular compound microscope. Made in brass by John Browning around 1875.

John Browning (c. 1831–1925) was an English inventor and scientific instrument maker, renowned for the advances he brought to optometry, astronomy, and other fields. He began by working with his father and took ownership of the business "John Browning & Co." in 1856. He continued as owner until 1900, when it was taken over by "Watson & Son."

Monocular compound microscope. Made in brass by W. H. Bulloch in 1880. A "congress stand" model.

This microscope was made by Walter H. Bulloch (1835–1891). Walter was born in Glasgow but emigrated at a young age to New York, where he started working with the famous scientific instrument maker Benjamin Pike & Son. He worked with Pike until 1864, when he enlisted in the army for a short time during the Civil War before soon falling ill. He subsequently collaborated with the renowned optics maker William Wales. In 1866 he founded his own business in Chicago and became a very successful producer of artistic microscopes. He died in 1891 but his firm continued on for a few years under the leadership of Mr Von Mehren, who made minor changes to Bulloch's creations.

Monocular compound microscope. Made in brass by Swift & Son around 1901.

This model was specially commissioned for the 1901–04 British National Antarctic "Discovery" Expedition to the South Pole. This was the microscope used by Sir Robert F. Scott during the voyage.

Monocular compound microscope. Made in steel by R. Winkel around 1896.

Rudolf Winkel (1827–1905) was born and worked in Göttingen, Germany. He opened his mechanics workshop and started making his first microscopes in 1857. Over time the company expanded and his three sons gradually joined him in the business. After Rudolf Winkel died in 1905, his sons continued to run the firm until 1911. Carl Zeiss then became the main shareholder in the company and changed its name to "Winkel-Zeiss Gottingen."

Monocular compound microscope made by Reichert. Created in enameled iron and brass around 1905.

Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Reichert (1851–1922) was born in Sersheim, Germany. He trained as a mechanic and acquired knowledge of industry. He also traveled to different German cities during his time working for Siemens & Halske in Berlin. He later worked with Leitz in the city of Wetzlar until 1876, when he set up his own business in Vienna.

Swift & Son lighting system. Made in brass, glass, and ceramics around 1890.

This lighting system consists of a circular brass base onto which a burner is placed. A ceramic bell acts as a screen and covers the base to produce light that can be directed at the microscope through the lower magnifying glass.

"Bullseye" condenser in brass and glass.

When the microscope was first developed, the items being observed were opaque so it was essential to illuminate them. To do this, convex magnifying glasses were placed on a base that focused the light directly onto the object to illuminate it. This was called a condenser.

Brass and glass mirror.

The object being observed has to be slim enough to allow light to pass through so it can be seen through the lenses. Originally, the object was lit by sunlight shining directly onto it. Over time, however, the object began to be illuminated by sunlight or candlelight reflected in a flat or concave mirror.

Brass needle sample holders from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) was interested in observing other kinds of objects. In order to satisfy his curiosity, he needed the right type of device to put his specimens on. He therefore devised a kind of pincer or needle that could hold small animals or plants so he could place them in front of the lens and magnify them.

Microtome.

Microtomes are machines used to cut slices of tissue fine enough for light to pass through. The earliest of these devices were called "hand microtomes." They had a plate onto which the fragment of hardened tissue, either frozen or in paraffin, was placed so that it could be moved very precisely using a micrometer screw gauge. The protruding part was then sliced off using a razor.

Glass and bone slide from the beginning of the 19th century.

At the start of the 19th century elongated pieces of bone, wood, marble, or metal began to be used, with indents for holding small insects or plant material. These were compressed with fine glass or mica held by metal rings. These were the precursors to tissue slides and their development led to the first "stages" being devised to hold them in place.

Various glass and paper slides from the 19th and 20th centuries.