Lathe, Lenticular Contact Lens
Maker and role
G. Nissel & Company Limited, Manufacturer
Hirst Contact Lens Limited, Other contributor
Production date
1972
Object detail
Accession number
2018.1.15
Production period
Description
Lenticular lens lathe. This machine was adapted by Hirst's engineering workshops to cut a lenticular anterior surface. Lenticular aphakic lenses were widely prescribed by Eyecare professionals for patients after cataract surgery before the invention of the intraocular lens (IOL).
The lathe is rectangular with a rough grey coated metal surface. The maker’s plate is on the left of the front panel of the machine, “MANUFACTURED BY / G. NISSEL. & CO. LTD. / LONDON / OIL QUADRANT BEARING / AND SLIDE WEEKLY / USE ONLY SHELL TONNA OIL 33 / AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT / THE WORLD”. Underneath are two white stickers with writing in pen. One reads “A44” and the other reads “11-5-07 / CUTTING 0.03 Sleep […]”. To the right are two metal toggle switches, with handwritten labels above, “SWITCH / UP / FOR / ON” and “SWITCH / REVERSE” with an arrow. There is also an indicator with an orange square on top of red, and a white rectangular plastic switch. At the top of the machine on the left there is adjustable silver coloured handle which extends over the edge of the unit. There is also a horizontal metal cylinder with a spindle facing towards the middle and a belt on the other end. This is mounted on a rectangular base. There is a serial number engraved into the top surface of the base “Manufactured by / Nissel & Co. Ltd / London / SER. NO. 12 / UNI / 26”. Above the cylinder there is a magnifying glass attached using a metal arm. At the front is a large round adjustable brass-coloured knob. There are two gauges behind the cylinder, one is facing towards the cylinder and one is parallel to it. Both have white dials and are made by Mitotoyo. On the right is the rotating platform with a long cylindrical handle. There is a flat square stage on top of the platform, with a mount and green rubber piece facing the spindle, where the contact lens would be worked on. There is a silver cylindrical adjustable knob at the front. On either side of the stage are two gauges. The left is made by “MITOTOYO” and the right has a yellow face and is made by “MERCER / G. NISSEL & CO. LTD”. On the far right is a white plastic ruler on the top of the main unit. To the right is a metal rod with an adjustable circular knob. There is a lamp with a flexible metal neck at the back right corner of the object. The lamp shade is brown with a bulb. At the back of the object on the left there are two power cords. One is connected to the lamp, with red and blue wires, and the other is black and connected to a three-pronged plug.
The lathe is rectangular with a rough grey coated metal surface. The maker’s plate is on the left of the front panel of the machine, “MANUFACTURED BY / G. NISSEL. & CO. LTD. / LONDON / OIL QUADRANT BEARING / AND SLIDE WEEKLY / USE ONLY SHELL TONNA OIL 33 / AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT / THE WORLD”. Underneath are two white stickers with writing in pen. One reads “A44” and the other reads “11-5-07 / CUTTING 0.03 Sleep […]”. To the right are two metal toggle switches, with handwritten labels above, “SWITCH / UP / FOR / ON” and “SWITCH / REVERSE” with an arrow. There is also an indicator with an orange square on top of red, and a white rectangular plastic switch. At the top of the machine on the left there is adjustable silver coloured handle which extends over the edge of the unit. There is also a horizontal metal cylinder with a spindle facing towards the middle and a belt on the other end. This is mounted on a rectangular base. There is a serial number engraved into the top surface of the base “Manufactured by / Nissel & Co. Ltd / London / SER. NO. 12 / UNI / 26”. Above the cylinder there is a magnifying glass attached using a metal arm. At the front is a large round adjustable brass-coloured knob. There are two gauges behind the cylinder, one is facing towards the cylinder and one is parallel to it. Both have white dials and are made by Mitotoyo. On the right is the rotating platform with a long cylindrical handle. There is a flat square stage on top of the platform, with a mount and green rubber piece facing the spindle, where the contact lens would be worked on. There is a silver cylindrical adjustable knob at the front. On either side of the stage are two gauges. The left is made by “MITOTOYO” and the right has a yellow face and is made by “MERCER / G. NISSEL & CO. LTD”. On the far right is a white plastic ruler on the top of the main unit. To the right is a metal rod with an adjustable circular knob. There is a lamp with a flexible metal neck at the back right corner of the object. The lamp shade is brown with a bulb. At the back of the object on the left there are two power cords. One is connected to the lamp, with red and blue wires, and the other is black and connected to a three-pronged plug.
Marks
MANUFACTURED BY / G. NISSEL. & CO. LTD. / LONDON / OIL QUADRANT BEARING / AND SLIDE WEEKLY / USE ONLY SHELL TONNA OIL 33 / AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT / THE WORLD Maker's Plate
A44 11-5-07 / CUTTING 0.03 Sleep […] Hand-written
SWITCH / UP / FOR / ON / SWITCH / REVERSE Hand-written
Manufactured by / Nissel & Co. Ltd / London / SER. NO. 12 / UNI / 26 Engraved
MITOTOYO Printed
MERCER / G. NISSEL & CO. LTD” Printed
A44 11-5-07 / CUTTING 0.03 Sleep […] Hand-written
SWITCH / UP / FOR / ON / SWITCH / REVERSE Hand-written
Manufactured by / Nissel & Co. Ltd / London / SER. NO. 12 / UNI / 26 Engraved
MITOTOYO Printed
MERCER / G. NISSEL & CO. LTD” Printed
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
G. Nissel & Company Limited et al. 1972. Lathe, Lenticular Contact Lens, 2018.1.15. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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