Found these dinosaurs in Chiado, Lisbon, Portugal

**Rialeigh** · 01-09-2015, 12:46 PM

I was looking at some shops in Lisbon and I stumbled onto this place, named the Chiado Factory, that has some neat vintage optical equipment on display. It is one of those kitchy retro vintage shops. Anyone care to identify? I know what the polisher is but what is the metal thing surrounded by glasses? An old edger?

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**Boldt** · 01-09-2015, 01:12 PM

I'm not sure, and could be very far off. But it reminds me of an old school generator, that or an edger.
Edit: I'm fairly sure it's a generator. That made my day. very cool :^)

**Trip** · 01-09-2015, 06:52 PM

Can't visualize doing any lens work with the contraption. Edging, grinding, ... nada ....., curious if someone recognizes what function it did perform.

**Rialeigh** · 01-09-2015, 07:23 PM

I looked into the place after I got home and they seem dedicated on optical in general. They also had a pretty cool optical shop in the store that had a bunch of independent designers. I think this machine is optical-related. The gears still turned in a circular motion and I could see this working with a pattern but no motors, just hand generated.

**ChrisW** · 01-09-2015, 07:57 PM

Looks like a really old school generator. Vision Express store I worked at had one that looked like that but with a motor

**Paul Smith LDO** · 01-09-2015, 08:21 PM

It looks a lot like my desk after the Holiday's rush, the contraption looks like something from the Spanish Inquisition or a sausage grinder, possibly both.

**mshimp** · 01-10-2015, 11:49 AM

This is a self adjusting frame alignment machine. Put your head in with the new glasses on and crank away.

**Rialeigh** · 01-10-2015, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by mshimp

This is a self adjusting frame alignment machine. Put your head in with the new glasses on and crank away.

That just made my day

**Oculista Carioca** · 01-11-2015, 02:25 PM

Este é um grande achado!

**erichwmack** · 01-13-2015, 10:08 AM

Has some very similar features to a old crappy half manual/half motorized generator I used. PICTURE I am sure that the contraption is a very old generator. Cool find!

**scriptfiller** · 01-13-2015, 04:48 PM

I love the little cafe' at the top of the Elevador San Justa there in Carmo. A great view of downtown and of the Castelo.

Cool stone-age ophthalmic tools!