Abbe-type stereoscopic eyepiece for Zeiss stand 1 compound microscope
Date: 1885
Inventory Number: 1126c
Classification: Microscope Optics
Subject:
Maker: Carl Friedrich Zeiss (1816 - 1888)
Maker: Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena (1846 - 1904)
Maker: Carl Zeiss (company timeline) (founded 1846)
Inventor: Ernst Abbe (1840 - 1905)
Owner: Harold C. Ernst (1856 - 1922)
Collector: Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Jena,
City of Use:
Dimensions:
eyepiece: 13.3 × 11 × 3.7 cm (5 1/4 × 4 5/16 × 1 7/16 in.)
box: 6.4 × 17.7 × 15.5 cm (2 1/2 × 6 15/16 × 6 1/8 in.)
Accessories: diaphragms (3); semi-diaphragms (2); key; case
diaphragms
Description1126c is a stereoscopic eyepiece after the pattern of Ernst Abbe. It is proportioned to to fit into a Zeiss stand I compound microscope and belonged with 1126a in the Collection.
The light rays coming from a single objective pass through a nickel-plated ocular tube into a chamber holding two prisms. Half of the light goes through one prism directly to one eyepiece, and the other half is reflected to a second prism and by it up into the second eyepiece. The second eyepiece is inclined to the first by 14 degrees. The eyepieces are matched in power although they are constructed differently from each other. They are held in brass tubes attached to the chamber. The chamber holding the prisms is made of brushed nickel and is lacquered to appear grey.
The inter-ocular distance between the eyepieces is adjustable by means of a milled-head screw on the side of the chamber next to the second eyepiece.
Another screw below the prism chamber tightens the stereoscopic eyepiece to the main tube of the microscope.
To make the eyepiece not just binocular but also stereoscopic, the user would insert two adjustable semi-circular diaphragms (or stops) above the eyepieces. These are black and stored in the instrument case. The case also holds two disk diaphragms (or stops) for use with the eyepieces. They are also black. A third diaphragm in the case is a large black disk pierced with two holes for use in the stage.
The mahogany case is fitted and padded with brown velvet. It has nickel-plated hardware and a key. The case is blind-stamped on its front edge with the serial number of the eyepiece, "66."
The eyepiece case is stored separately on the shelf next to the microscope case.
The light rays coming from a single objective pass through a nickel-plated ocular tube into a chamber holding two prisms. Half of the light goes through one prism directly to one eyepiece, and the other half is reflected to a second prism and by it up into the second eyepiece. The second eyepiece is inclined to the first by 14 degrees. The eyepieces are matched in power although they are constructed differently from each other. They are held in brass tubes attached to the chamber. The chamber holding the prisms is made of brushed nickel and is lacquered to appear grey.
The inter-ocular distance between the eyepieces is adjustable by means of a milled-head screw on the side of the chamber next to the second eyepiece.
Another screw below the prism chamber tightens the stereoscopic eyepiece to the main tube of the microscope.
To make the eyepiece not just binocular but also stereoscopic, the user would insert two adjustable semi-circular diaphragms (or stops) above the eyepieces. These are black and stored in the instrument case. The case also holds two disk diaphragms (or stops) for use with the eyepieces. They are also black. A third diaphragm in the case is a large black disk pierced with two holes for use in the stage.
The mahogany case is fitted and padded with brown velvet. It has nickel-plated hardware and a key. The case is blind-stamped on its front edge with the serial number of the eyepiece, "66."
The eyepiece case is stored separately on the shelf next to the microscope case.
Signedengraved in cursive lettering on the prism chamber: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
Inscribedengraved on the prism chamber: No. 66.
blind-stamped on the case: 66
blind-stamped on the case: 66
FunctionThis eyepiece was designed by Ernst Abbe for both binocular observation and stereoscopic observation of microscopy specimens with any desired magnification. Unlike Greenough's stereoscopic eyepieces, this one was for use with a single achromatic objective rather than a double objective.
Historical AttributesOwned by Harold C. Ernst, M.D., first bacteriologist in the United States. A letter (in the file) from Carl Zeiss himself to Harold Ernst in 1885 promises that this order from the factory would be expedited. Dr. Ernst worked at the time with Robert Koch and this was probably the reason for this extra attention.
Primary SourcesErnst Abbe, Gesammelte Abhandlungen (Jena: Verlag Von Gustav Fischer, 1904), 245.
Carl Zeiss Optische Werkstätte, Microscopes and Microscopical Accessories (Jena, 1891), 85-86.
Carl Zeiss Optische Werkstätte, Microscopes and Microscopical Accessories (Jena, 1891), 85-86.
ProvenanceHarold C. Ernst; Department of Bacteriology; Harvard Medical School; Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 126), Harvard Medical School.