Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 50 (assigned to Radiguet; late 19^th century)

In 1805, an optician Mr. Chevalier, settles in Paris. His house is taken over by Marie-Honoré Radiguet (1791-1867) and specialises in the manufacture and sale of optical devices. In the years 1850-60 his son Honoré-Antoine Radiguet (1824-1887) succeeded him by adding the manufacture of barometers, thermometers and other measuring devices. In 1880, Arthur-Honoré Radiguet (1850-1905) extended his activity to scientific popularisation devices, working also with steam, electricity and photography. With his success, in 1899, Arthur Radiguet realizes his dream to merge with Maison Molteni, one of the most important manufacturers of scientific equipment of the 19^th century and well known for its projection equipment, adopting the name Radiguet & Massiot. At some point the firm specialises in the medical field, playing a pioneering role in radiology. In 1960, the firm became a 50% subsidiary of Philips and then a 100% subsidiary of Philips France to become Massiot-Phillips and, later, Philips Systemes Medicaux. Microscope 50 has a French origin and can be dated to the late 19^th century. Identical microscopes were manufactured, or at least retailed, by the Parisian firm Radiguet (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Microscope signed by Radiguet as featured in http://www.lecompendium.com/dossier_optique_41_microscope_droit_radiguet/microscope_radiguet.htm