Catalogue Number: 4422 Frost's Artificial Eye Category: Equipment Sub-Category: Equipment, teaching Designer/inventor: William Adams Frost (1853 - 1935) Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1886 - 1910 Time Period: 19th C Place Of Publication/Manufacture: London, England Publisher/Manufacturer: Curry & Paxton Description Of Item: Frost's Artificial Eye; a schematic model used to teach students ophthalmoscopy and retinoscopy. It consists of a metal tube to represent the eye, the length of which can be varied from 30 to 65 mm.The refracting surfaces of the eye are represented by a convex lens having a focus of 40mm (25 D). In front of the lens is a disc with varying diaphragms to represent different pupil sizes. The model is mounted on a brass rod which is supported in a round base labelled with the equivalent refractive error of the eye with the corresponding length setting of the model eye. The model is housed in a fitted timber case with blue velvet lined lid. The round base plate is marked 'FROST'S ARTIFICIAL EYE/ MANUFACTURED BY/ CURRY & PAXTON/ LONDON'. Box: 302 L x 128 D x 65mm H. Historical Significance: The manufacturing firm was originally founded in 1876 by Joseph Pickard & William Curry under the name Pickard & Curry, based at 195 Great Portland Street, London. In 1886 Joseph Pickard retired and George Paxton Snr joined the company with William Curry. In its early days Curry & Paxton were best known as a supplier of medical instruments but in the 20th century the firm was more famous as a spectacle frame manufacturer. How Acquired: Donated by Ian Bluntish Date Acquired: February 2023 Condition: Very good Location: Archive room. West wall. Unit 3 Overhead display |