Museo Galileo
italiano
previous
Virtual Museum
Section of Rooms XV and XVI
 Light

To study the phenomena of light, the first optical benches were introduced in the 18th century. Lenses, prisms and mirrors could be mounted on them in different combinations. During the 18th century, the mechanical components of microscopes were improved and new models, such as the projection microscopes lit by lamps or sunlight, were introduced.

Objects
Accessories for an optical bench

Accessories for an optical bench

Inv. 782/bis
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Adjustable slit

Adjustable slit

Inv. 3199
Gaspero Mazzeranghi, Florence, second half 18th cent.

Adjustable slit

Adjustable slit

Inv. 2569
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Burning mirror

Burning mirror

Inv. 3727
Maker unknown, 18th cent.

Camera lucida

Camera lucida

Inv. 3325
Nachet firm, Paris, after 1880

Compound and simple microscope

Compound and simple microscope

Inv. 2664, 3217
Andrew Pritchard, London, ca. 1835

Compound and simple microscope, chest type

Compound and simple microscope, chest type

Inv. 3210
James Ayscough, London, second half 18th cent.

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 3327
G. & S. Merz firm, Munich, ca. 1870

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 3268
Edmund Hartnack, Potsdam, ca. 1880

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 3447
Maker unknown, French?, mid-19th cent.

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 3205
Georg Friedrich Brander, Augsburg, ca. 1765

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 3259
Smith, Beck & Beck firm, London, ca. 1858

Compound microscope

Compound microscope

Inv. 3283
Nachet & Fils firm, Paris, ca. 1870

Compound microscope, binocular

Compound microscope, binocular

Inv. 3258
R. & J. Beck firm, London, ca. 1865

Compound microscope, dissecting

Compound microscope, dissecting

Inv. 2648
Nachet & Fils firm, Paris, ca. 1875

Double diaphragm

Double diaphragm

Inv. 738
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Duc de Chaulnes's depth gauge

Duc de Chaulnes's depth gauge

Inv. 3170
Maker unknown, ca. 1770

Duc de Chaulnes's focometer

Duc de Chaulnes's focometer

Inv. 3169
Maker unknown, ca. 1770

Duc de Chaulnes's microscope

Duc de Chaulnes's microscope

Inv. 3202
Maker unknown, ca. 1770

Hot stage

Hot stage

Inv. 3307
Carl Reichert, Vienna, after 1885

Microspectroscope

Microspectroscope

Inv. 3292
Maker unknown, German, ca. 1885

Mobile diaphragm

Mobile diaphragm

Inv. 2568
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Optical compendium

Optical compendium

Inv. 2681, 2682, 2683, 2684
Robert Banks, London, ca. 1811

Pair of framed prisms

Pair of framed prisms

Inv. 741
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Prism with stand

Prism with stand

Inv. 773
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Prism with stand

Prism with stand

Inv. 748
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Rotating diaphragm

Rotating diaphragm

Inv. 2567
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Simple microscope, aquatic

Simple microscope, aquatic

Inv. 3098
Chapotot, Paris, ca. 1700

Simple microscope, dissecting

Simple microscope, dissecting

Inv. 3212
Peter Dollond (microscope), John Cuff (micrometer), London, ca. 1760-1770