This instrument, an ophthalmoscope, was used by Torsten Wiesel and David Hubel in their early research on how light is transformed into nerve signals when it hits the retina, which are then converted into visual impressions in the brain. The ophthalmoscope was developed by Stephen Kuffler and S. A. Talbot in the early 1950s. When Wiesel came to Johns Hopkins University as a young researcher, Kuffler became his mentor. For Wiesel, the instrument represents the importance of mentorship in science. He only used it for a few months around 1958, but it accompanied him throughout his subsequent research career.
An ophthalmoscope can be used to shine light on and view the back of the eyeball. With this particular ophthalmoscope, the retina can also be stimulated with different patterns. Wiesel and Hubel used cats in their experiments. The cat's head was fixated under the ring-shaped stand, and its retinas were then stimulated and observed using optical instruments attached to the bar across the ring. Nerve cell activity was recorded using small electrodes.
After their first studies, Wiesel and Hubel moved on to project patterns on the retina in other ways that did not require an ophthalmoscope.
This ophthalmoscope was donated to the Nobel Prize Museum by Torsten Wiesel in connection with his 100th birthday in June 2024.
