Microscope lamp used by Sir Harry Brookes Allen (1854-1926)
Maker
W Watson & Sons Ltd (estab. 1837, closed 1969)
Date
Circa 1920s
Description
This kerosene microscope lamp has a brass stand with ring shaped base, glass reservoir with ground glass stopper, single burner and a tall metal chimney. The intensity of the light could be adjusted by varying the length of the wick, and the height of the light altered to suit the angle of the microscope. The tall chimney would have prevented fumes and smoke particles from obscuring the microscope lenses or damaging the specimen under study.
Microscopy with early microscopes was usually performed in daylight hours with light reflected from a mirror through a condensing lens to the sideor object being studied. Later other sources of light were used, with spirit lamps and then electric lamps designed for the purpose.
The lamp was used by Sir Harry Brookes Allen (1854-1926), Professor of Anatomy and Pathology in the Pathology Department, University of Melbourne. When Harry Brookes Allen was appointed he did not have electricity in his department, on dull days or at night this lamp would have been the main source of illumination for his microscope.
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Object detail
where made/maker's mark ▫ impressed into burner knob: 'BRITISH MADE'
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