2442 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



attempt had been made by any of those engaged in the manufacture of micro- 

 scopes to produce them in large quantities, or at reasonable figures. From the 

 outset this has been one of the main purposes of Bausch & Lomb, and on this 

 basis they received, from the beginning of their efforts, the hearty support of men 

 of science in all parts of the country. Even with this support, the experiments 

 were conducted with tremendous losses for many years, and had it not been for 

 the prosperous condition of the eyeglass and lens part of the business, the 

 attempt would have been disastrous in the extreme. The only thing which kept 

 the microscope department of the business going was the indomitable resolve to 

 accomplish the purpose which had so long been cherished, to produce in America 

 the highest quality of optical instruments, and to produce them in commercial 

 quantities. 



While the balance sheet was going down, the quality of the work was steadily 

 improving, which, of course, began to have its effect on the sales, and when the 

 day finally came that the books showed no actual loss, there was great rejoicing. 



The introduction of American microscopes of standard quality, and at mod- 

 erate prices, seemed to have a very stimulating effect on their educational and 

 industrial uses, as well as on their use by individuals as a means of recreation 

 and culture. Here, as in all other lines of work, the battle against adverse con- 

 ditions in manufacture was less strenuous than that which it was necessary to 

 wage against the deep seated conviction in the public mind that optical work of 

 high excellence could be done only in Europe, that American skill and ingenuity 

 were unable to cope successfully with the problems presented in optical manu- 

 facture. 



The tide gradually turned, however, and the Bausch & Lomb products found 

 their way over the length and breadth of the land, wherever microscopes are 

 used. The extensive relations which were brought about through the supplying 

 of microscopes to educational institutions, by which the most advanced thought 

 of educational workers was directed toward the improvement of microscopes, 

 microtomes and other laboratory apparatus which was being manufactured, 

 demanded the addition, as a convenience to their patrons, of supplies of chemi- 

 cals, chemical glassware, stains, microscopic objects, microscopical tables, 

 cabinets, etc., until at the present time a large department is required to handle 

 this line of goods, and it has been necessary to build a special factory in Germany 

 for the production of chemical glassware in order that the supply may be con- 

 stant, uniform in quality, and of the most approved construction. The machinery 

 for much of the delicate work in this factory was designed and built in the 

 machine shops of the Rochester plant, and embodies many original features 

 which are readily seen in the quality of work being turned out in Germany. 



The friendly relations which have, since the beginning of the manufacture of 

 microscopes, existed between the company and the scientific workers in all parts 

 of the country, have resulted in the manufacture of many kinds of apparatus 

 which cannot be considered as strictly optical. The use of the microscope in 

 the bacteriological laboratory, as the importance of bacteriology became appre- 

 ciated, called for the supplying of incubators, sterilizers, autoclavs, etc. 



The application of centrifugal force to the collection of urinary and other 

 sediments, and to the separation of blood elements for examination under the 

 microscope, suggested the construction of a suitable centrifugal apparatus pro- 

 pelled by hand, water and electric power, and these also became a part of the 

 manufacture. So on through the list. 



The growing business demanded still greater facilities, and a new building 

 was constructed on the north side of the main factory building in 1892. The 

 lower portion of this building, which is excavated out of the solid rock, contains 

 vaults for the storage of the many varieties of optical glass required in the pro- 

 duction of the various kinds of optical instruments. The general supplies for 

 the various departments are also kept there. 



