Stereoscope

A pair of goggles with a double picture of Eldon House attached. There are a stack of images next to them, it is sitting on a multi-coloured table.
A stereoscope in the Eldon House Library

Country of Origin: United States
Year: ca. 1880
Materials: Wood, glass, and metal 

A stereoscope is an early 3D image viewer. A stiff card showing a double image is inserted into the end of the piece, and when the image moves closer to the viewer, the viewer’s depth perception merges to make one 3D image. These devices were constructed by Sir Charles Wheatstone and optician R. Murray in 1832. They were produced using innovations in photography and became incredibly popular.  Over time, multiple people began manufacturing different styles of stereoscopes. This one, which is one of the most common, was called a Holmes stereoscope. It was invented by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. in 1860 and was more about recreation than science. “Stereo Cards” could be purchased with images all over the world, allowing for the first time, Victorian armchair travellers.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.