Projection microscope made by Newton & Co and used by Royal Society of New South Wales
Object No. H5251
This microscope, designed by Lewis Wright and made by Frederick Newton in London in the 1880s, projects large images of micro-organisms, or of microscopic plant and animals parts, onto a distant screen. Groups of scientists could discuss the details without having to make accurate drawings of what they saw through an ordinary microscope. The microscope was bolted onto a 'magic lantern', inside which a very hot flame was directed at a lump of calcium oxide, producing bright 'limelight' that illuminated specimens. Debbie Rudder The Wright & Newton projecting microscope was the first commercially available projecting microscope in the world, dating from 1884.
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Summary
Object Statement
Projection microscope, accessories and case,'Wright & Newtons', brass / metal / glass / wood / felt / cork / paper, made by Newton & Co / C. Reichert, London, England / Vienna, Austria, used by Royal Society of New South Wales, Sydney , New South Wales, Australia, 1884-1900
Physical Description
Projection microscope, accessories and case,'Wright & Newtons', brass / metal / glass / wood / felt / cork / paper, made by Newton & Co / C. Reichert, London, England / Vienna, Austria, used by Royal Society of New South Wales, Sydney , New South Wales, Australia, 1884-1900 Projection microscope assembly consists of rear condensing lens, rotating polarisable lens, adjustable objective, rotatable slide stage, projecting objective with adjustments on a laterally adjusting track. Fluid tank with brass screw top and lens to one side, clear on the other side. Tank can be removed.
DIMENSIONS
Height
210 mm
Width
206 mm
Depth
555 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Wright & Newton projection microscopes of this type were first produced and sold in 1884. This unit dates to the period 1884-1900.
HISTORY
Notes
Wright claims to have demonstrated a projection microscope at a meeting of the Royal Microscopical Society in 1883, but it was not until the oxy-hydrogen projection microscope was introduced in 1884 by Newton & Co from Lewis Wright and Herbert Charles Newton's patented design (Patent No. 14951, 13/11/1884) that they were available for sale. Donated by Royal Society of NSW.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Royal Society of NSW, 1953
Acquisition Date
20 October 1953
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