It is a long story Originally invented by Charles Babbage in 1847, but was not recognised of its potential It was independently reinvented by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1851,when it was put to use as a diagnistic tool Thgen a Greeek ophthalmologist by name Andreas Anagnostakis suggested to make it a handheld gadget by adding a concave mirror to it The task was taken up by Austin Barnet for Anagnostakis The world\'s first handheld, direct illuminating ophthalmoscope was invented in 1915 by Josh Zele and John Palumbo This model is the precursor to the most modern ophthalmoscope now used the world over