Illuminated Opticians Eye Test Cabinet, 1960s

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A wall-mounted optician's test cabinet in a black-painted wooden case. Behind a hinged front frame there are three illuminated panels. … Read more A wall-mounted optician's test cabinet in a black-painted wooden case. Behind a hinged front frame there are three illuminated panels. The large upper panel carries a fan of bold black radial lines, numbered in tens around the edge. In the centre is a diamond of black-and-white stripes that turns on a central knurled nut. Opticians used this part of the chart to test for astigmatism, and with the stripes and sunburst lines together it's a striking graphic face whether it's lit or not.

Below are two smaller panels with the letters printed in reverse. Patients read them in a mirror, which gave the right test distance in a smaller consulting room.

On the right side there's a black octagonal knob and three brass toggle switches on a recessed panel. The front frame closes with brass turnbuckle catches, and two brass hanging plates are fixed to the back for wall mounting. See less