Object Details
- Pfister und Streit
- Description
- An ophthalmometer (aka keratometer) measures the curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, and so is used to assess the extent and axis of astigmatism. The German physiologist Hermann von Helmholtz introduced the form in the 1850s. The donor acquired this example in Germany around 1906. The inscription reads "Pfister und Streit in Bern, No. 280, No 29715 DRP.”
- F. Hermann and H. Studer began making scientific instruments in Bern, Switzerland, in 1858. When J. H. Pfister replaced Studer, the firm became Hermann & Pfister (1866-1881). Alfred Streit joined in 1889, and the firm was trading as Pfister und Streit by 1906. William Haag (Streit’s son-in-law) took control after World War I and renamed the firm Haag-Streit. The firm is still in business today.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Arthur O. Morton
- ID Number
- MG.M-06574
- catalog number
- M-06574
- accession number
- 191792
- serial number
- 29715
- Object Name
- Ophthalmometer
- Keratometer
- ophthalmometer
- Other Terms
- Ophthalmometer; Medicine
- Measurements
- overall: 11 in x 24 in x 20 in; 27.94 cm x 60.96 cm x 50.8 cm
- overall: 32 in x 15 in x 20 in; 81.28 cm x 38.1 cm x 50.8 cm
- place made
- Switzerland: Bern
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- Health & Medicine
- National Museum of American History
- associated subject
- Ophthalmology
- Record ID
- nmah_727987
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-6328-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
