Compound monocular microscope by S. Plossl and Co., Vienna (Wien), mid 19th century

This compound microscope with one eyepiece is typical of the design used by German medical students in the mid 1800s. There was a demand for high quality microscopes as histology had become an important part of the medical curriculum. S Plössl and Company was an optical instrument maker which specialised in microscopes and telescopes. Plössl had improved the quality of the achromatic lenses and made the adjustment of the eyepieces easier and more accurate. The name “Plössl” is still associated with eyepieces used in telescopes.