Engraver, Contact Lens
Maker and role
G. Nissel & Company Limited, Manufacturer
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Object detail
Accession number
2018.1.20
Description
Contact Lens Engraver. This item has a metal base with a curved front and cut off edges at the back. The surface has a rough finish. At the front is a circular plate with the alphabet engraved around the edge from A to X, and numbers from 0 to 9. “G. NISSEL & CO. LTD / HEMEL HEMPSTEAD / HERTS” is engraved near the centre of the disc. There is a cylindrical knob in the centre which tightens and loosens the circular plate. Engraved on the top of the knob is "SER. NO / CLE / 56".
At the back is a cylindrical upright with two horizontal arms. These are attached with knobs at the back. On the lower arm is an angled metal disc platform with a clear plastic chuck in the centre to hold a contact lens. There is a rod above the chuck which is held by the upper arm which reads “UP”. There is a metal attachment below the disc which attaches to a plastic pipe. The lower metal rod is in line with the upper one. It acts as a guide to engrave the chosen letter above. This engraver was used to engrave an R or an L on the surface of the contact lens so the patient could identify which lens was for which eye. Prior to this the contact lens would have been engraved by hand with a ceramic tipped tool.
At the back is a cylindrical upright with two horizontal arms. These are attached with knobs at the back. On the lower arm is an angled metal disc platform with a clear plastic chuck in the centre to hold a contact lens. There is a rod above the chuck which is held by the upper arm which reads “UP”. There is a metal attachment below the disc which attaches to a plastic pipe. The lower metal rod is in line with the upper one. It acts as a guide to engrave the chosen letter above. This engraver was used to engrave an R or an L on the surface of the contact lens so the patient could identify which lens was for which eye. Prior to this the contact lens would have been engraved by hand with a ceramic tipped tool.
Marks
SER.NO / CLE / 56 Engraved
G. NISSEL & CO LTD / HEMEL HEMPSTEAD / HERTS Engraved
UP Engraved
G. NISSEL & CO LTD / HEMEL HEMPSTEAD / HERTS Engraved
UP Engraved
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
G. Nissel & Company Limited. Engraver, Contact Lens, 2018.1.20. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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