We are pleased and honored to be able to present the following
scientific and physics related artifacts from the well known Case Western Reserve
University of Cleveland Ohio. The proceeds from the sale of this historic
antique scientific lab equipment are slated to go toward the new Physics Student Scholarship
Fund at the university. Most of the pieces offered date from near the turn
of the century or before and are associated with Dayton Miller, the well known
physicist, and his time at Case Western Reserve University. His primary work
revolved around the study of sound waves, proving the existence of the ether,
and more. Many of the pieces
are by famous makers such as Max Kohl of Chemnitz, Rudolf Koenig of Paris, Foote
Pierson / NY, and others.
Sharp-Millar
Photometer by Foote Pierson & Co.
This unusual device for measuring light and its intensity is in near perfect condition.
The ID plaque on the side says it is serial # 163, and that the patent # is
960420. I looked the patent up and that is the correct patent issued to Sharp
& Millar in 1910. I believe this dates from right around that
time. Foote-Pierson was a well know maker / seller of Telegraph
equipment, electrical devices and other scientific related devices. The fragile instruction sheet is present and the opening
sentence of it states that photometers may be used in the measurement of
illumination or in the measurement of candle power. The oak box measures 23" x 1/2 long, x 4 3/4" tall x 4 1/4" wide. The interior workings all appear to be intact and working. There are a pair of rheostats on the Front right outside to control the light intensity. The instructions give very specific instructions on how and when to use these. The aluminum tube on the end moves freely along the graduated dial on the end. The light inside moves as do the shutters, but need to be helped along at times. I am sure this is just a storage issue and the runners just need to be oiled or the strings tightened so it will operate better.
This particular example came from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. The physics lab there was the home to such famous physicists as Dayton Miller who worked there during this time period. His work mainly focused on light and sound waves although he is probably best known for his efforts in relation to detect the luminiferous ether, and by extension attempting to test Einstein's theory of relativity. He is also famous for the massive flute collection he assembled which is now housed at the Library of Congress.
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CW-PHOTOMETER-1
Excellent . . . . . $795.00
Device
To Measure Strength of Electrical Forces
This unusual device looks to be for measuring the
strength of the electrical power you would apply to the coils.
Increase the current and measure the amount of pull the magnetized
coils exerted on the scale
that was positioned over top. I do not see any makers mark, and this
may be shop built at Case University for one series of experiments, or could
have been built as a demonstrator for students to observe the "new"
technology of electricity. Crude but effective. This will make for a great display illustrating just how far we have come in the last 100 years. Just think about it. Electrical power was pretty new to the scene. New students would have little understanding of its powers or uses. It can give one pause to reflect on how much further we can go if science survives the current waves of politics, religion, and ignorance trying to turn off the power and sources of knowledge and thought. Again, a good reminder of how far we have come, and might go.
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CW-MAGPOWER-1
Excellent . . . . . $295.00 SOLD!
4 Rudolph Koenig Tuning Forks
Rudolph Koenig was one of the premier makers of
scientific equipment and devices for use in Physics labs and universities
back near the turn of the last century. He is most famous for his
tuning forks. Wikipedia has a nice write-up on him that can be seen
here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_Koenig These tuning
forks date from the late 1800's
and are an example of Koenig's skill and craftsmanship.Dayton Miller of Case Western Reserve Univ. sang his praises on numerous occasions and they did a lot of business together. Millers primary focus was on the study of sound waves and acoustics, and he had a number of tuning forks from Koenig. There is an extensive write-up on him, and his work at http://people.seas.harvard.edu/~jones/cscie129/supplements/Miller/miller.html
Each fork is marked with Koenig's script K makers mark. They are also marked with the note in German / or French, and for example the UT stands for the note Do. The number below is the frequency or oscillation rate. The condition of each is exceptional as is the tonal quality.
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CW--K-FORKS-1
Excellent . . . . . $595.00
Boxed
Set of 7 Rudolph Koenig Tuning Forks
This set includes the hammer and 7 marked tuning forks.
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CW--K-FORKS-2
Excellent. . . . . $1295.00
Hartmann & Braun A.G. No. 180 Circular
Rotating Coils This interesting piece is marked Hartmann & Braun A.G. No. 180.
It measures
13.5" x 10" x 10" I am not sure of the exact purpose or use, but if you have AC current in one coil, a current will be induced in the other coil:
causing it to act as a transformer. When you change the angle of the coils the coupling between the coils will change and the second coil current will change.
I have seen similar devices used as tuners on crystal radio sets, but much
smaller than this. Very Graphic.
CW--HB180
Excellent. . . . . $495.00
Early
Watt / Volt Meter
This unusually large electrical meter dates from near the turn
of the century and is German made. These were used for measuring very small variations in current,
power or resistance, and were for use in places like lecture halls / labs where the
audience could view what was happening and be able to see the changes. There are small diagrams on the back side showing
the different possible combinations in the way you could hook it up to allow
for different measurements to be made. Very Large & graphic!!
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CW--METER-1
Excellent. . . . . $595.00
Double Ball Geissler or Crookes Tube
Geissler and Crookes are the two names most often
associated with discharge tubes like this. Geissler tubes were first invented by the German glassblower Heinrich
Geissler in 1857 and he was producing them for scientific researches by the
1880's. He died in 1897. William Crookes was also English and
somewhat younger than Geissler. He furthered the development of these
unusual devices.The Geissler tube is an evacuated glass tube with an electrode at each end. Geissler tubes contain a combination of rarefied (thinned) gasses such as neon, argon, or air, with conductive liquids or minerals. When a high voltage is applied to the terminals an electrical current flows through the tube. The current will disassociate electrons from the gas molecules, creating ions and when electrons recombine with the ions different lighting effects are created. The light will be characteristic of the material contained within the tube and will be composed of one or more narrow spectral lines.
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CW-GEISSLER-1
Excellent. . . . . $995.00
Crookes
Tube on Stand
Early Geissler and Crookes tubes are getting difficult to
find. There is no maker info on this, but that is typical.. This early
Crookes tube, as with all the other pieces on this page, originated from
Case Western Reserve University. This tube was used in the physics
department to demonstrate the characteristics of electrons, and showing that
they would not pass through a metal barrier. The make-up of this
example would indicate its manufacture near the turn of the century.
Everything look to be attached, and intact, but we did not attempt to test
it.I found a picture of a nearly identical tube on another site, http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/Titlepage/Electricity.html
and it described this tube as follows. Cathode Rays Carry Energy. The cathode rays from the hemispherical cathode are focused on a thin piece of platinum held above it by a glass arm. The platinum eventually heats up and glows red, showing that the cathode rays carry kinetic energy.
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CW--CROOKES-1
Excellent. . . . . $695.00 SOLD!
Jewell
Standard Volt Meter
This super looking volt meter was patented in 1899.
The Jewell Electrical Instrument Co hailed from Chicago ILL and also
produced a line desirable radios. This volt meter face looks like
gold, and I am sure was meant to impress the user and viewer with that
look. I was. I have had and seen hundreds of similar
meters, but never one with the face decorated like this. Different.
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CW--1
Excellent. . . . . $325.00
Max
Kohl / Chemnitz Electrical Laboratory Demonstrator
Max Kohl of Germany was probably the best known maker of
lab and classroom demonstrators in the world during his working years from the
1880's onward. This piece was used in the classrooms of Case
Western Reserve University back near the turn of the century when Dayton
Miller was a professor there. This is mystery device has electrical hook-ups that indicate it was powered up. The center affair with 3 red rods does rotate and move up and down, but I am not sure when, how, or to demonstrate what. Perhaps it has something to do with Magnetic fields and rotational pull . It has a great look, and is the sort of thing that will display nicely and be a great conversation piece. The condition is like new.
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CW-MK-1
Excellent. . . . . $275.00 SOLD!
Hickok Electrical Instrument
Co. Astatic Watt Meter
This Watt Meter is by the same outfit that made the tube
testers of choice. This is a large precision instrument. The
cherry case measures 12" square, and it has a patent date from 1913.
The tag on the inside of the lid states it is suitable for both Direct, and
alternating current.
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CW-HICK-1
Excellent. . . . . $175.00
Antique
Mirror Galvanometer w/ Scope This device is for measuring
small variations in current using light,
a mirror, and the small scope seen. It is a very detailed and precise instrument.
Light acts as the pointer, and when reflected off the mirror inside is
capable of reflecting very small variations which can be read off the scale
above the scope. I do not see a makers name, but the
markings appear to be in German, Galvanometers were made in different forms
for different applications and for different levels of precision. A
nice looking example!!
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CW-GAV-1
Excellent. . . . . $695.00 SOLD!
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