Topping-type microtome, Europe, 1840-1850
A microtome is used to cut animal and plant material into slices for study under the microscope without damaging the delicate internal structure of the specimen. The microtome has a brass well to raise the specimen and a clamp used in cutting. A razor slides over the top to make the cuts. This example was invented by Charles Morgan Topping (1800-1874) around 1840 and one is the first microtomes. Previously, specimens were squashed flat, damaging them in the process. Topping began to prepare microscopic slides commercially in 1840 and probably used his own invention to do this.
Object number:
A627273
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.