Optometrists are trained to examine eyes and prescribe visual aids such as spectacles. The optometer pictured in the media section of this document dates from the 1800s. The optometer was used with various lenses to determine the refraction of the eye. Refraction means the extent to which light is bent by an individual's eye. The result can determine how short-sighted or long-sighted they are, and the strength of spectacles required. In the second half of the 1800s, ophthalmologists also devised instruments to measure the separate components of vision. Dr Jules Badal developed the pictured instrument in 1876. It was based on an optometer invented by William Porterfield in 1759. The brass stands look as though they were made for an optometer to be table mounted, with heavy brass stands and designed to hold a cylindrical object securely as would be required by an optometer. Stands appear to have been very well made and very early probably early to mid 19th Century by a well known scientific instrument maker given there are no inscriptions or marks to indicate the time period made or maker it is difficult to assume significance to these items at this point in time as well as the items are incomplete.The brass stands believed to be for mounting an early Optometer an (ophthalmic instrument) Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, stands for scientific instrument

This Dollond Day or Nigh telescope was designed to be used in any light conditions, as its name implies. Telescopes are optical instruments designed to make objects appear to be larger or closer. The discovery of the first telescope in 1608 can be attributed to Hans Lippershey of the Netherlands when he discovers that holding two lenses up some distance apart bring objects closer. He applies for a patent on his invention and this becomes the first documented creation of a telescope. Then in 1668, Newton produces the first successful reflecting telescope using a two-inch diameter concave spherical mirror. This opened the door to magnifying objects millions of times far beyond what could ever be obtained with a lens. It wasn’t until 1729 that Chester Moor Hall develops an achromatic lens (two pieces of glass with different indices of light refraction combined produce a lens that can focus colours to almost an exact point resulting in much sharper images but still with some distortion around the edges of the image. Then in 1729 Scottish instrument maker James Short invents the first parabolic and elliptic, distortion-less mirror ideal for reflecting telescopes. We now come to John Dollond who improves upon the achromatic objective lens by placing a concave flint glass lens between two convex crown glass lenses. This had the effect of improving the image considerably. Makers Information: John Dollond (1707-1761) London England he was a maker of optical and astronomical instruments who developed an achromatic (non-colour distorting) refracting telescope and practical heliometer. A telescope that used a divided lens to measure the Sun’s diameter and the angles between celestial bodies. The son of a Huguenot refugees Dollond learned the family trade of silk weaving. He became proficient in optics and astronomy and in 1752 his eldest son, Peter joined his father in an optical business, in 1753 he introduced the heliometer. In the same year, he also took out a patent on his new lenses. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in May 1761 but died suddenly in November and his share in the patent passed to his son Peter. In subsequent squabbles between Peter and the many London opticians who challenged his patent, Peter’s consistent position was that, whatever precedents there may have been to his achromatic lenses, his father had independently reached his practical technique on the basis of his theoretical command of Newtonian optics. As a result of maintaining his fathers patent, Dollond s became the leading manufacturer of optical instruments. For a time in the eighteenth and nineteenth century the word 'Dollond' was almost a generic term for telescope rather like 'Hoover; is to vacuum cleaner. Genuine Dollond telescopes were considered to be amongst the best. Peter Dollond (1731-1820) was the business brain behind the company which he founded in Vine Street, Spitalfields in 1750 and in 1752 moved the business to the Strand London. The Dollonds seem to have made both types of telescopes (reflecting and refracting), possessing the technology to produce significant numbers of lenses free of chromatic aberration for refracting telescopes. A Dollond telescope sailed with Captain Cook in 1769 on his voyage to observe the Transit of Venus. Thomas Jefferson and Admiral Lord Nelson were also customers of the Dollonds. Dollond & Co merged with Aitchison & Co in 1927 to form Dollond & Aitchison, the well-known high street chain of opticians, now fully part of Boots Opticians. They no longer manufacture but are exclusively a retail operation.    John Dollond's experiments in optics and how different combinations of lenses refract light and colour gave a better understanding of the divergent properties of lenses. That went on to inform and pave the way for the improvement of our understanding of optics that is represented today. Dollond was referred to in his time as the "Father of practical optics" as a leader in his field he received many prestigious awards. The telescope in the collection is a good example of one of Dollond's early library telescopes. Its connection with one of England's 18th century pioneers in optical development makes it a significant and an important item to have within the collection.Telescope: Dollond's Telescope, Day or Night model navigational instrument. Telescope is mounted on wooden tripod stand that has folding legs. Brass telescope with leather sheath over barrel, adjustable angle fitting with brass wing nuts that join the legs to the top frame, which is then joined to the telescope pole by an adjustable screw fitting. Manufactured by Dollond, London. Inscription reads "Dollond London, Day or Night" and "DOLLOND LONDON"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, telescope, dollond, dollond london, day & night telescope, floor-standing telescope, optical instrument, john dollond, peter dollond, achromatic telescope, heliometer, light refraction, instrument maker, lens, transit of venus, astronomical telescope, concave lens, library telescope, dollond telescope, day or night, day or night telexcope, scientific instrument, navigation, navigational instrument, astronomy

Copper coil in a stand made of timbercoil, scientific instrument

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950's specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Clear glass pipette. A sphere that stands on a flat base with the top opening to a small short opening on one side and on the other a long narrow opening tapering up at an angle to a very small opening.irrigation pipette, medical, hospital

The clock was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. Thomas Gaunt History: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. Post Office and Clock History: Warrnambool’s Post Office has been in existence since 1857, when it was originally situated on the corner of Timor and Gilles Street. In March 1864 the Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25, “to be put up in front of the Post Office”. Henry Walsh Jnr was the eldest son of Melbourne’s Henry Walsh, maker and retailer of clocks, watches, thermometers and jewellery. In 1854 Henry Walsh Jnr. began business in Warrnambool as a watchmaker and jeweller later becoming a Councillor with now a local street named after him. The Post Office was extensively remodelled in 1875-76. Early photographs of this building show that the clock was installed on the northern outside wall, Timor Street, under the arches and between the 2 centre windows, where it could be seen by passers-by. Although spring loaded clocks date back to the 15th century, and fob and pocket watches evolving from these date to the 17th century, personal pocket watches were only affordable to the very fortunate. Public clocks such as this Post Office clock provided opportunity for all to know the time, and for those in possession of a personal watch to check and set their own timepieces to the correct time. During post office reservations during the 1970s the clock was removed and was eventually donated to the Flagstaff Collection. The Clock’s maker Thomas Gaunt, is historically significant and was an established and well renowned scientific instrument and clock maker in Melbourne during the 1860s. He was at that time the only watchmaker in the Australian colonies. In the 1870’s and 1880’s he won many awards for his clocks and was responsible for sending time signals to other clocks in the city and rural areas, enabling many businesses and organisations to accurate set their clocks each day. Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25 and the clock used to stand in front of the Warrnambool post office to allow ordinary citizens to set their time pieces as they walked by. The item is not only important because it was made by a significant early colonial clock maker and retailed by a locally known clock maker and jeweler but also that it was installed in the Warrnambool Post Office a significantly historical building in it's own right. Built in 1857 and regarded as one of the oldest postal facilities in Australia, with a listing on the National Heritage Database, (ID 15656). This 1864 hall clock originates from the Warrnambool Post Office. The clock glass is hinged to the top of the clock face and has a catch at the bottom. The metal rim of the glass is painted black. The clock face is metal, painted white, with black Roman numerals and markings for minutes and five minutes. The tip of the small hour hand is shaped like a leaf. "T. GAUNT / MELBOURNE" is printed in black on the clock face. The winding key hole is just below the centre of the clock face. The key winds a fusee chain mechanism, attached to the brass mainspring barrel that powers the pendulum with an 8-day movement. The speed of the clock can be adjusted by changing the position of the weight on the pendulum, lengthening or shortening the swing; raising the pendulum shortens its swing and speeds up the clock. The metal fusee mechanism has an inscription on it. The rectangular wooden casing is with a convex curve at the bottom that has a hinged door with a swivel latch. The original stained surface has been painted over with a matte black. There are two other doors that also allow access to the clock’s workings. The case fits over the pendulum and workings at the rear and attaches to the clock by inserting four wooden pegs into holes in the sides of the case then into the back of the clock. A flat metal plate has been secured by five screws onto the top of the case and a hole has been cut into it for the purpose of hanging up the clock. There is a nail inside the case, possibly used for a place to the key."T. GAUNT MELBOURNE" is printed on the clock face. “6 1 3” embossed on the back of the fusee mechanism behind the clock. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, clock, warrnambool post office, fusee, henry walsh jnr, thomas gaunt, t gaunt & co, post office clock

Used in physics/optics laboratory at Mt Helen, most probably transferred from SMB to Mt Helen c1870 as SMB start date but could be much earlier A vertical arrangement of lenses, mirrors and polarisers mounted on a brass stand 50cm high with a heavy metal claw foot base. Circular calibrated 360 degrees platform with small brass clips holding a glass lens in position. Parts appear to be original, though the object appears to be missing a eye piece, a mirror to reflect the light, and a viewing platform.CS - 77optics, lenses, mirrors, smb, rocks, microscope, polarisers, scientific instruments

A Crookes tube is an early experimental electrical discharge tube, invented by English physicist William Crookes and others around 1869-1875, in which cathode rays, streams of electrons, were discovered. Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays using the Crookes tube in 1895. The term is also used for the first generation, cold cathode X-ray tubes, which evolved from the experimental Crookes tubes and were used until about 1920.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crookes_tube)Glass vacuum tube with a metal maltese cross inside. The tube is on a timber stand.scientific instruments, crookes tube, science, maltese cross, scientific objects

An induction coil consists of two coils of insulated copper wire wound around a common iron core. One coil, called the primary winding, is made from relatively few (tens or hundreds) turns of coarse wire. The other coil, the secondary winding, typically consists of many (thousands) turns of fine wire. An electric current is passed through the primary, creating a magnetic field. Because of the common core, most of the primary's magnetic field couples with the secondary winding. The primary behaves as an inductor, storing energy in the associated magnetic field. When the primary current is suddenly interrupted, the magnetic field rapidly collapses. This causes a high voltage pulse to be developed across the secondary terminals through electromagnetic induction. Because of the large number of turns in the secondary coil, the secondary voltage pulse is typically many thousands of volts. This voltage is often sufficient to cause an electric spark, to jump across an air gap separating the secondary's output terminals. For this reason, induction coils were called spark coils. The size of induction coils was usually specified by the length of spark it could produce; an '8 inch' (20 cm) induction coil was one that could produce an 8 inch arc. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_coil)A metal and plastic object on a timber stand. In an induction coil the distance between the plates is often used to measure the voltage of the spark since the air breaks down at 30 000 volts per centimetreballarat college of advanced education, scientific instrument, induction coil, scientific instruments, electricity

This item was used at the Ballarat School of Mines Physics department until the 1970s-1980s to demonstrate that electrons have a straight line. A sealed conical glass tube, equipped with two electrical connections. One, at the narrow end, terminated inside with a sic shape electrode and faces a cross-shapped aluminium steel target near wide end. Other electrode is side branch, which also provided means of mounting on a polished wood circular stand. A Crookes Tube is an early experimental electrical discharge tube, with partial vacuum, invented by English physicist William Crookes and others around 1869-1875, in which cathode rays, streams of electrons, were discovered. May also be called a Crookes–Hittorf tube or Maltese Cross Tubemaltese cross, crookes tube, physics, electron emission demonstration, cathode rays, vacuum tube, electrons, crookes–hittorf tube, maltese cross tube

Used in the Ballarat School of Mines Electrical Engineering from around 1930-1936.Round glass fronted brass dial mouned on timber stand. Postive and negative terminals below dial. Simi-circular scale, non-linear graduations: 40-80 voltsvoltmeter, scientific instrument, ballarat school of mnes, arthur senior, nalder brothers

This item was acquired by the Ballarat School of Mines Electrical Engineering department for use in electric power laboratory as a source of D.C., and also for instructional purposes. This central mercury arc element was located in a cabinet with transparent side panels, and equipped with the required electric accessories, to be a self-contained stand-alone unit. Head of the Electrical Engineering Department at the time was John M. Sutherland.Mercury arc rectifier, 3-phase input. Constructed of blown glass, and complicated configuration: the central inverted truncated cone is provided with 3 large diameter "horns' and four smaller ones. Each horn has electrical connection to outside, some have side horns. Approximately half a cup of free mercury inside the glass complex. No. 33369scientific instrument, x-ray, x-ray tube, xray, john m. sutherland, electrical engineering, ballarat school of mines

A glass prism of equilateral triangular shape mounted by a ball-joint to a vertical brass stand and brass base. scientific instrument, prism, optics

D.C. Voltmeter 180-270 volt range. Black cylindrical shape, with partly chrome plated front cover and simi-circular glass window. Pointer indicator, semi-circular scale. This panel mount instrument is attached to a crudely varnished wooded stand for bench-top use. Serial Number 2172Vscientific instrument, ballarat school of mines, voltmeter

Probably used in the Ballarat School of Mines Chemisry Laboratories, at that time led by Professor Alfred Mica Smith, with lecturer Daniel Walker. From W. Watson & Sons, Block Arcade, MelbourneAn early model of a flashpoint apparatus, of mainly brass construction, heated by a spirit lamp. Complete with two mercury-in-glass tfermometers (50 degree to 70 degrees celcius x 1 degree, 10 degrees to 50 degrees celcius c 1 degree), and lamp-stand. Serial Number 1786.scientific instruments, chemistry, alfred mica smith, daniel walker, ballarat school of mines, w. watson & sons ltd, thermometer

Used in the Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education, Physics Department as a stand-alone unit or it could be connected to the Sharp Memorizer - 60 if one was available.Desk-top electric calculator with 16 digit electronic display; 2 memories;operations controlled by keyboard. Type: Sharp Compet 32, Model C5 - 32C Serial No. 912908With dymo tape labels: "1st YR"; "PHYSICS"; "PURCHASED 6/11/69" Gold sticker: "Edwards Sales and Service 42 3951"electric calculator, ballarat institute of advanced education, physics department

The Panphot was the first truly universal stand for photomicrography. Leitz Panphot Biological Microscope photographic equipment kit light source. This is a rare edition Leitz Panphot geared for biological use, and includes a metallurgical vertical illuminator with many many accessories.Name of manufacturer - Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Serial Number - 493156leitz panphot, camera microscope, science equipment, 35 mm camera, filament and arc lamps, optical equipment, bellows, bellows camera, ernst leitz, wetzlar

“Wild-Feuss Barometer - Leppin and Masche - Instructions for Assembling”, 1942. Paper : “A Stand Barometer of New Design” by Laby, 1924. Related to object 2.Wild-Fuess cylindrical Barometer used to measure atmospheric pressure and constructed predominantly of chrome and brass. Contained in specially made barometer case (Reg No.2).Engraved near top “LEPPIN & MASCHE, BERLIN NO. 856”. On label near base “Please lower the mercury level after use in order to keep the interior of the glass clean round “zero”.leppin & masche, scientific instruments, barometer, wild-fuess, leppin and masche

Patient controlled analgesia, or PCA, was developed in the 1960s. This mode of opioid administration allows patients to directly respond to their individual levels of pain. It is estimated there are now somewhere between six and 15 million uses annually.Two parallel sections enclosed in cream coloured metal casing and joined in the centre via a brown metal section that also forms the base and stand. The left side has a dark brown perspex cover with a small brushed metal latch and handle. The right has a grey metal panel with dial, knobs and a rolled paper dispenser. A clear plastic intravenous bag is attached to the device by a clear plastic tube.There is also a black plastic coated wire attached to a handle with a red button on top. This is used for the patient to administer the analgesia. analgesia, intravenous, flinders medical centre, janssen scientific instruments, patient controlled