Copper canister used to sterilise Perti dishes

Copper canister used to sterilise Perti dishes in 160 degree heat containing glass Petri dishes, used at the Microbiology Laboratories, Beecham Research Laboratories, Brockham Park, no maker marked, 1950-1960

In 1957, the team at Beecham Research Laboratories discovered that penicillin grown from mould has 6-aminopenicillanic acid. By tweaking its chemical structure, scientists created medicines to treat a wider range of bacterial infections, with fewer side effects. These are known as semi-synthetic penicillins.

Before single-use plastic Petri dishes, glass Petri dishes were re-used serveral times over. After a thorough cleaning, these full copper cannisters were immersed in steam to fully sterlise them.