Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Turntable by Flatters & Garnett (first half of the XX century)

Ringing table containing the inscription ‘Flatters & Garnett Ltd, 309 Oxford Rd., Manchester’ and dated to the first half of the XX century (Figure 1). An identical item belongs to the collection of the Science Museum in London. Abraham Flatters and Charles Garnett established their company in 1901 to supply microscopical equipment. The first location of the company was as a chemist shop at Manchester, displaying the microscope and lantern slides made by Flatters. In 1909, a serious rift developed between Flatters and the other directors. The Garnetts agreed to buy out his share and Flatters set up a business with some other members of the staff under the name of Flatters, Milbourne and McKechnie. Flatters & Garnett Ltd expanded its business steadily during the 1920s, increasing their range. In 1950, the company introduced the Mikrops industrial projector. This replaced the microscope for routine examination in many laboratories. Due to financial problems, the company went into liquidation in 1967.

Figure 1. Flatters & Garnett’s ringing table as featured in a 1929 catalogue of the firm.