Step into the fascinating world of optical innovation at the National Technical Museum Prague. This permanent exhibition on the History of Contact Lenses explores the remarkable evolution of vision correction technology. It highlights scientist Otto Wichterle's groundbreaking achievements, from early production machines to diverse historical lens examples, revealing the scientific significance of this medical advancement.
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This permanent exhibition, now part of the 'Chemistry Around Us' display, traces the evolution of contact lenses. It highlights the achievements of scientist Otto Wichterle, the inventor of soft contact lenses and their production method, showcasing early manufacturing machines and historical lens examples.
The "History of Contact Lenses" exhibition, integrated into the permanent "Chemistry Around Us" display, delves into the significant advancements in the field of vision correction. Central to the exhibition is the story and achievements of scientist Otto Wichterle, the visionary inventor of a suitable material for soft contact lenses and the innovative method for their production. Visitors can observe key historical artifacts, including one of the first "contact lenses maker machines" (a "čočkostroj") dating back to 1961, a vial containing a portion of the first million pairs of cast lenses, a casting plate for prefabricated lenses, and various other machines and contact lens types from different eras. A unique feature is a working model of a "contact lenses maker machine" constructed from a Merkur building kit, created by Merkur building kit collector Jiří Mládek. This exhibition was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, underscoring its scientific and historical significance.
Information on tickets is available via a provided link. As part of a permanent exhibition, general museum admission may apply.
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