Microscopy-UK

The Problem Anyone who wishes to archive material, be it images, documents, or videos, is faced with an almost unsolvable problem when one considers our over-reliance on new technology. Computer drives are predicted to have a life span of five years, flash cards even shorter. Magnetic creep, doping chemical migration in semi-conductors, failing physical parts, and other issues deny longtime archival on information in any real and reliable sense.

Nineteenth Century British Microscopy and Natural History: Part1 by Richard L. Howey, Wyoming, USA I can hear you saying: “Oh, no! Not another one of those rambling multi-part monstrosities!” I’m afraid so; I keep finding things hidden away on my book shelves and I can’t resist writing about them. “Well, don’t give into temptation,” you advise me.

The appeal of retro electronics, part 1 - a 90s Windows 3.11 laptop. Repairing and using a Toshiba Satellite T1960CS laptop. by David Walker This is admittedly a rather self indulgent ramble on old computer kit but perhaps of interest to some folk. The 70s My first experiences with computers was in the 70s when a short course on Fortran programming formed part of the university chemistry course. This was in the days of mainframes of course attended by acolytes but never seen by the user.

Exploring the Diatom Lab 'Microscope Test Slide in Commemoration of Edmund J. Spitta' with Near UV by David Walker Resolving the fine structure of prepared diatom frustules remains a popular aspect of optical microscopy ever since they were found to be of value for the development of objective designs in the 19th century. One of the classic textbooks describing the capabilities of objectives in these studies was Edmund J. Spitta's 'Microscopy.

'Brass and glass' part 1 - pocket sundials. by David Walker, items discussed being co-owned with Ian Walker, UK 'Brass and glass' in the context of this site is usually associated with the many makers and models of pre-20th century microscopes where the finish was typically lacquered brass. My brother Ian and I over the years have been custodians of a variety and have often shared our experiences of them. A limited budget and space has always kept this collection to three or four at most.