Horace Darwin : Microtome

Here you can discuss all microscopy-related accessories and equipment (microtomes, filters...)
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MichaelG.
Posts: 3976
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:24 am
Location: North Wales

Horace Darwin : Microtome

#1 Post by MichaelG. » Fri Jan 11, 2019 7:42 pm

Readers may have noticed that my sign-off is: Too many 'projects'

This makes reference both to my collection of equipment, and to my personality.

I have now acquired yet another 'project' ... A microtome, by Cambridge Scientific Instruments Limited, to Horace Darwin's patented design:
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publica ... cale=en_EP

With the notable exception that mine is a somewhat distressed 'basket case' it is, I believe, identical to this pristine example:
http://broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org. ... ay?id=3871
[click on the image for a larger version]
Unfortunately the all-important indexing ratchet wheel on mine is quite severely damaged, and I will need to make a replacement, if it is ever to be more than a curiosity for display.

Does anyone have experience of this early version of the Cambridge 'rocker' ?

MichaelG.
Too many 'projects'

wabutter
Posts: 178
Joined: Thu May 09, 2019 12:27 am

Re: Horace Darwin : Microtome

#2 Post by wabutter » Mon May 13, 2019 12:11 am

Hacker Instruments utilized the rocker style Bright microtome well into the 80's. Here is a link as a starting point. http://www.hackerinstruments.com/
The current product offer is probably not using that technology, but they might be able to provide historical information.

Regards,
Wayne

MichaelG.
Posts: 3976
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:24 am
Location: North Wales

Re: Horace Darwin : Microtome

#3 Post by MichaelG. » Mon May 13, 2019 6:55 am

Thanks for the response, Wayne

MichaelG.

P.S. ... I should take this opportunity to correct my previous assumption regarding the patent:
Mine is actually the original [simpler] version of Darwin's rocker, and the referenced patent describes the improvements that were made to that.
Too many 'projects'

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