Early microtome, England, 1825-1835
This type of microtome was devised by Andrew Pritchard (1804-1882) to cut thin sections of wood. The date of the invention is uncertain, although research suggests that it pre-dates 1835. This microtome was designed to cut slices of wood. Attached to a piston screw, which moves the sample up and down, the piece of wood is cut in slithers by a double-handled knife. This is the first type of microtome made to be screwed to the edge of a table so it does not move during the cutting operation.
Object number:
1876-1133
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: histology
The study of the structure of tissues by means of special staining techniques combined with light and electron microscopy.
Glossary: microscopy
The use of microscopes to study objects or samples. The three major types of microscopy are optical, electron and scanning probe microscopy.
Glossary: microtome
An instrument used to cut thin sections of biological material so that they can be examined under a microscope.