Description: A Whenham stereoscopic binocular microscope.

Caption: Light from the object being viewed passed up through a powerful magnifying lens called the objective. At the bottom of the tubes just above the objective lens there is a specially shaped glass prism which splits the light into two beams, one for each eyepiece.

Introduction: Invented in the 19th century Whenham's stereoscopic system was the first of its kind to allow an observer to see an object with any degree of depth perception. It was achieved by adding another tube to the ordinary monocular microscope which held another eyepiece.

Background: This microscope belonged to the father of the petroleum industry, James "paraffin" Young of Kelly, who was the son of a Glasgow joiner. He attended classes in chemistry at Anderson's College in Glasgow. He distilled paraffin and other volatiles from coal shale and bituminous coal. These rapidly replaced natural vegetable and animal based oils (such as whale oil) which were used for lighting. This new industrial enterprise was located near the large oil shale deposits of Mid and West Lothian.

Historical Context: Establishment of an oilshale distillation works by Young and partners - When: 1851 - Where: Bathgate, Midlothian, Scotland - Who: James 'Paraffin' Young (1811-1883)

Historical Context: Invention of the stereoscopic microscope - When: 1878 - Where: London, England - Who: Wenham, Francis Herbert (1824-1908) Engineer, pioneeer of aeronautics and microscopist

Historical Context: Manufacture - Where: 7 Wigmore street, Cavendish Square, London, England

Historical Context: Manufacture of lighting oils from a natural oil spring - When: 1848-1851 - Where: Derbyshire, England

Historical Context: Manufacture of lighting oils from a natural oil spring at Ridding's colliery - Who: Young, James 'Paraffin' (1811-1883) Of Kelty

Historical Context: Manufacture of the microscope - Who: Andrew Ross & Company Establisherd in 1830 by Andrew Ross (1798-1859)

Historical Context: Manufacture of the microscope by Ross - When: circa 1880