|
|
Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
|
|
|
|
|
Micrometre
eyepiece by Graticule Ltd (1970s – 1980s)
This
is a micrometre eyepiece. The instrument is engraved with “PATENT No. 1460
883” and the serial number 2365. There is also a label with the information
“GRATICULES LTD, TONBRIDGE, KENT, MADE IN ENGLAND”. The origins of this
company can be traced back to the outbreak of World War I when the British
Government assigned to Julius Rheinberg the task to
develop specialised military supplies. Julius was a member of the Royal
Microscopy Society and was well known in optical circles as he developed many
techniques and processes associated with microphotography. In 1946, Julius’
nephew, Leslie Rheinberg, took over the business as
Graticules Limited (incorporated in 1948) and extended the range of products
to offer a comprehensive range to diverse industries such as Microscopy,
Optics, Education, Medicine/Research, and others. Graticules Limited was
purchased in 1997 by Pyser-SGI. Pyser-SGI,
a company producing specialised precision optical products since 1932, was
comprised of two divisions, Defence and Broadcast. Graticules Limited became
the third division of Pyser-SGI, called Graticules.
In 2015, Pyser-SGI changed ownership and reshaped their
branding and trading name to Pyser Optics Limited.
As of February 2019, SDI Group plc (formerly Scientific Digital Imaging plc)
bought the Graticules Division of Pyser Optics,
trading now under the new name Graticules Optics Limited. The patent number,
which should correspond to a British patent, was filled in 1975 by the firm
MALIES INSTRUMENTS Ltd, and the abstract of that patent gives the information
“An instrument e.g. a microscope or telescope
comprises, for measuring an image of the object, two movable elements (…)
each having a transparent region and a partially transparent region (e.g.
formed by vacuum deposition) with a boundary therebetween. The boundaries are
movable e.g. by knobs (…) and means e.g. a digital
counter are provided for determining the separation of the boundaries”. Malies Instruments was an optical instrument maker in
Sussex, from about 1960 to 2000, which performed subcontract work for much of
the United Kingdom’s optical industry. Many of the company’s products were
used for testing the properties of metals or observing chemical reactions
during food manufacturing. Note: this instrument was kindly
donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023. |
