logologo-optometry

Empire Contourmeter and datum frame rule in case

/home/acomuseum/public_html/images/archive/2873.jpg
Catalogue Number: 2898
Empire Contourmeter and datum frame rule in case
Category: Equipment
Sub-Category: PD ruler, pupillometer
Year Of Publication/Manufacture: c 1940
Time Period: 1940 to 1999
Place Of Publication/Manufacture: United Kingdom
Publisher/Manufacturer: A Wiseman and Company Ltd
Description Of Item: Instrument for frame and lens fitting consisting of a metal tube and sprung nosepiece with dependent plastic 'lenses', the separation of which can be adjusted independently by knurled knobs at the ends of the metal tube. The tube is marked with a scale in mm to measure uniocular interpuplllary distances. The 'lenses' are engraved with various scales around the datum system. Black leather-covered wooden hinged case, 175 x 72 x 26 mm, with two gold-coloured metal clasps and black velvet lining. The tube is marked EMPIRE CONTOURMETER' and 'PAT. APP. FOR'
Historical Significance: Early to mid 20th C optometrists placed considerable emphasis on fitting spectacle frames and locating the optical centres correctly, and this is one of many such devices for ensuring the correct positioning of lenses in frames. The BOA Museum holds two instruction books published by M. Wiseman & Co entitled 'Frame Measurement and Frame Fitting by Wiseman' and 'Frame Measurement by Wiseman' (1946). See also the Empire Datum Frame rule at Cat. No. 2237.
How Acquired: Donated by Estate of William Cooper, via Peter Lewis
Condition: Very good
Location: Archive office. East wall shelves unit 3. Drawer 10

Search the archive:

Author or Inventor:
Catalogue #
Name of Donor