Watson Royal microscope, London, England, 1925-1940
The Watson Royal microscope was one of the best microscopes of its day. The high quality meant that specimens such as cells and body tissues could be seen at a high magnification. The tripod stand was also very stable. Hand made by W Watson & Sons Ltd in 1905, this microscope with a case, three objective lenses and accessories cost £15, equivalent to £1,000 today. The microscope was an important tool in disciplines such as bacteriology and histology.
Object number:
1983-305 Pt1
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: monocular microscope
Microscope with a single viewing eyepiece, as distinct from binocular or stereomicroscopes. It should be noted that monocular microscopes can be fitted with a binocular eyepiece to give pseudo-stereo views
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: bacteriology
The study of a group of single-celled organisms called bacteria.
Glossary: compound microscope
Microscope with multiple optical elements (lenses/mirrors). It has two microscopes in series, the first serving as the ocular lens (close to the eye) and the second serving as the objective lens (close to the object to be viewed).
Glossary: objective
The lens in a microscope that is nearest to the object being examined.
Glossary: magnification
The process of enlarging something in appearance, not in physical size.