Slide Preparation Workshop
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The slide preparation workshop is a wonderful exercise for individuals and groups interested in understanding the history and evolution of natural science microscope slide preparation and the improvement of microscopes that achieved excellent images at high magnification in the 1830s. This improvement created the imperative for thin differential stained specimens to reveal the secrets of cytomorphology in the late 19th and 20th century and continued to the present year. |
The kit of materials for the preparation of 17th, 18th, and 19th century microscope slides contains a collection of specimens that have been chosen to represent the types of common natural science materials that were selected for study with microscopes in the early years of scientific inquiry. Most sliders and slides were prepared to be studied at low magnification with reflected light, as with a Lieberkuhn or Wilson microscope, or early compound instruments that lacked color corrected lenses.
We have used contemporary molded plastic materials as a substitute for ivory, bone and mica. Labels and slide wrap papers are printed on pressure adhesive paper as a substitute for label/card paper and fish glue. Assembly materials, epoxy glue, emery board, forceps and other necessary work-bench materials are provided by the workshop director.