Con-o-coid Contact Lens trial set
Maker and role
Hirst Contact Lens Limited, Manufacturer
David Volk, Designer
Eugene Hirst, Designer
Production date
1966
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2018.1.26
Production period
Description
A cream coloured hinged-lid rectangular box with two metal clasps at the front. There is black printed text in the centre of the lid which reads “HIRST / CON-O-COID / TRAIL SET”. Inside is a plastic tray with four rows of circular holes that contain contact lenses. Each hole has a different measurement number. Under “E.9”, the first two rows have sequential numbers from 7.2 to 8.2. Under “E.10” the second two rows of numbers also range from 7.2 to 8.2. Each numbered hole holds a contact lens except 7.6 and 7.7 in the third row. There are 20 lenses in total. There is also a hand-written card in the box which reads “The first / Conocoid / Set / 1966”.
This is a PMMA contact lens trial set used by optometrists circa 1968. The Con-o-coid contact lens design was developed by Hirst in conjunction with Dr David Volk. Due to licensing issues circa 1984 the design was instead referred to as the Aspheric contact lens.
This is a PMMA contact lens trial set used by optometrists circa 1968. The Con-o-coid contact lens design was developed by Hirst in conjunction with Dr David Volk. Due to licensing issues circa 1984 the design was instead referred to as the Aspheric contact lens.
Brief History
Eugene (Gene) Hirst OBE arrived in New Zealand from Czechoslovakia in 1939. Trained and experienced as a dental technician, in the early 1940s Hirst applied dental methods to the making of contact lenses, taking an impression of the eye of a near-blind female patient to use as the mould for the lens.
In 1964 Hirst worked with American ophthalmologist David Volk to develop a range Con-O-Coid lenses. These lenses were considered a breakthrough in fit because the curvature of the lens was designed to mimic the curves in the anterior surface of the human cornea. Hirst Contact Lens were given exclusive rights to produce these anywhere outside the United States and Canada.
In 1964 Hirst worked with American ophthalmologist David Volk to develop a range Con-O-Coid lenses. These lenses were considered a breakthrough in fit because the curvature of the lens was designed to mimic the curves in the anterior surface of the human cornea. Hirst Contact Lens were given exclusive rights to produce these anywhere outside the United States and Canada.
Marks
HIRST / CON-O-COID / TRAIL SET Stamped
The first / Conocoid / Set / 1966 Hand-written
E.9 / 7.2 7.3 [...] 8.2 / E.10 [...] Printed
The first / Conocoid / Set / 1966 Hand-written
E.9 / 7.2 7.3 [...] 8.2 / E.10 [...] Printed
Media/Materials
Other name
Aspheric contact lens
Collection
Credit Line
Hirst Contact Lens Limited et al. 1966. Con-o-coid Contact Lens trial set, 2018.1.26. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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