Microscopes, 17th Century Early Culpeper type microscope, c 1725

Microscopes, 17th Century Early Culpeper type microscope, c 1725. This is a very early example of the popular Culpeper microscope, with red body and accessories, invented and made by English instrument maker Edmund Culpeper (c 1670-1738). Culpeper invented this type of stand for microscopes, consisting of a tripod carrying the main body, standing on another tripod carrying the stage, and the design was adopted by many 18th century makers. The general construction of the instrument is similar to later forms but there are two distinctive features in this example: the stage is made of wood, and the cap fitting over the eyepiece is really a box with a screw top. ©SSPL/Science Museum