A Microscope from the 1935 Brussels World Exhibition

At Lobre headquarters, a historic microscope is preserved: a remarkable piece that reflects an important chapter in the history of Italian optics.

Manufactured by the Milan-based company Fratelli Koristka, the instrument was exhibited at the 1935 Brussels World Exhibition, a landmark event for the Italian optical industry at a time when the sector was striving to establish its reputation on the international stage.

During those years, companies such as Fratelli Koristka played a key role in the development of scientific and technical instruments for a wide range of applications. The microscope now housed at our headquarters stands as a tangible testament to that era, valued not only for its historical significance, but also for the precision of its workmanship and the advanced engineering solutions it embodies.

A Legacy Preserved Through Time

The display case housing the microscope was donated to Lobre in 2011 by Alda Ranzini, daughter of Antonio Ranzini, who was directly involved in the manufacture and sectioning of these instruments.

This piece represents a link between different generations of Italian optical engineering, from Milanese manufacturing in the 1930s through to the present day. Today, Lobre preserves the microscope as evidence of a pivotal period in the evolution of precision optics, when pioneering expertise and advanced engineering solutions helped shape the industry.

That legacy continues today through Lobre’s daily commitment to the design and manufacture of optical systems for modern applications.