Light Refactor(?)
Physics Demonstration
<strong>Physical Description</strong><br />Object has a black cast iron base that is a cylinder with a hollow center. The inside of the cylinder is lined with felt. A metal lid covers the hollow center and a circular glass lens sits in the center of the lid. The lid has numbers painted onto it with a black and gold placard with the inscription of the maker of the object along with the city and country of origin. On one side of the base there is a hole that a metal cradle sits in. A frosted glass lens sits in the cradle. A metal arm is attached at the base directly opposite the cradle. The arm is attached at a 30 degree angle. The arm has two metal rings connected to it with each ring at a different unique height. Both rings are made of cast iron and have fittings that allow them to slide on the arm. The fittings also have metal thumb screws that secure the rings at a given position on the arm. The two rings themselves are not the same. The ring on the bottom has a glass lens spanning the center with two metal poles sticking up on the ring. The poles are symmetrical in terms of position on the ring edge. The ring on the top of the arm contains a glass prism that sits inside a metal knob that can be rotated. Numbers are etched onto the surface of the ring. <br /><br /><strong>Functional Description<br /></strong>The device appears to have been used for showing the effects of light that has been passed through a prism at modular angles. The ring at the top of the arm can be used to rotate the glass prism and the numbers on the edge of the ring can be used to align the prism to specific degrees. The ring below contains two metal prongs that can be used to hold an object in place above the glass center. The glass cradle on the base is used to diffuse light onto the lid of the base.
Gary Spikberg, Andrew Merdzinski, Andrew Stanley, Nick Lesko with additions by Steven Walton
mid-20th century
Physical Object
English
Physics Demonstration
Property tag: MCMT-8121
USA
Wang Laboratories Model 370 Programming Calculator
Mathematics; Science; Engineering; Financial Services.
A rectangular shaped (304.4 Length X 165.1Width X 355.6 Height mm) device. This frame is made of metal that is painted everywhere except the stainless steel bottom. The front of the calculator contains a panel and display board. The panel holds 56 plastic keys of different shapes (Key Shape 1: 17.5 X 9.5 X 17.5 mm & Key Shape 2: 38.1 X 9.5 X 17.5 mm) and colors (black, gray, white, and blue) and 12 small white switches. The display board is a clear plastic sheet with a 14-digit display of nixie tubes behind it. On top there are multiple openings, likely for ventilation. On the back near the bottom is a black plastic knob, a switch for power, 2 slots for inputting cords, and 2 cords that go out.
Functional Description:
The Wang Model 370 Programmer is a primitive calculator that was capable of being programmed for adding loops, logical tests, jumps, and subroutine calls. This turned the calculator into a small computer.
On the keyboard are many different commands for programming and many basic calculator operations (such as add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc.). The 370 Programmer calculates operations and displays them on through the clear plastic screen via lighting up different nixie tubes shaped into numbers.
The 370 was capable of programming and reading code. It could use the programming keys on the keyboard to create a code. It could attach to a card reader that would read punch out sheets and translate the card into code for the 370 to use. Both methods could then store the code on the 370 to be used later.
Gideon Hoekstra, Donovan Doran, Erik Madson, Nick Renke
1967-1968
English
Pickett Model N600-ES Log Log Speed Rule
Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Mathematics
Physical Description:
The Pickett Model N600-ES Log Log slide rule is constructed using three yellow painted aluminum bars. The “ES” in the model name means “Eye-Saver” and refers to the yellow painted construction. The two outer bars are called the stators and are attached by a brace on both ends. The braces create a gap between the two stators where the third aluminum bar, called the slide, fits into the grooves between the two stators. A clear plastic cursor slides along the outside of the stators. The cursor has a vertical hairline marker on both sides of the slide rule for lining up the scales between the slide and stators. The upper stator has LL1 and A scales on the front side and LL2 and DF scales on the backside. The lower stator has D, DI, and K scales on the front side and D and LL3 scales on the backside. The slide has B, ST, T, S, and C scales on the front side and CF, Ln, L, CI, and C scales on the backside. The scales are usually logarithmic with a few exceptions such as the L and Ln scale which are log operations with a linear scale. The index of a scale is the furthest left number for the left index or the furthest right number for the right index. The scale ranges and operations are described under inscriptions.
Functional Description:
The Pickett Model N600-ES Log Log slide rule is a duplex slide rule. A duplex slide rule has scales on both sides of the slide rule and a dual-faced cursor. The dual-faced cursor allows for relating one side of the scale to the other side for a greater number of calculations. Logarithmic scales have a multiplication and division property discovered by William Oughtred in 1630 that allow for the operations of multiplication and division instead of addition and subtraction of linear scales. Multiplication is the simplest operation on a slide rule using the two fundamental scales, C and D. To multiply two numbers, x and y, the left index of C is positioned over x on the D scale. Then the cursor is position over y on the C scale. The value of the cursor on the D scale is the solution to x multiplied by y. The decimal place may need to be adjusted to get the correct order of magnitude since the C and D scale has values ranging from 1 to 10. The other scales are used to perform different operations such as squares, reciprocals, exponentials, and sines, cosines, and tangents.
Gideon Hoekstra, Nick Renke, Donovan Doran, Erik Madson
1962
English
Colored Flame Burner
Chemistry
Atomizer
Combustion
<strong>Physical Description<br /></strong>A small glass jar captured between a porcelain base and a porcelain cap, the latter of which is held on the top of the glass jar with a rubber gasket. A blown glass tube enters the glass jar from the side by means of a rubber stopper and a second tube is built into the porcelain top. On the top, a fan shaped aperture (burner?) is mounted.<br />Object has a tin fume/exhaust fanout on the top connected to the body by a white ceramic chute. The chute is connected to a white ceramic lid with a port branching out at the base of the exhaust chute creating a T-shaped pipeway. The top has two curved hooks that guide metal pins to the base of the object. The base consists of a white ceramic donut with a ring gasket in the center that a glass chamber sits on. The pins hold the lid in place with metal thumb screws. The glass chamber is a cylinder with a hole on the side. An L-shaped glass tube sits in the hole and the surrounding space of the hole is filled with a rubber and cork stopper. The part of the L-shaped tube that sits in the chamber has orange staining on the bottom. <strong><br /><br />Funcitonal Description</strong> <br />The function of this apparatus has not been tested, but it is believed that a combustible gas is pumped into the chanber from the tube in the porcelain top, while some ofther gas is admitted from the tube in the stoppered side. The gasses then mix inside the glass jar and the top fan is a burner that allow for flame tests (color and steadiness, perhaps) to be performed.
Henry Roell and Garven Huntley, with cataloging by Gary Spikberg, Andrew Merdzinski, Andrew Stanley, Nick Lesko and additions and corrections by Steven A. Walton
1920s?
physical object
n/a
none
USA
Monroe High Speed Adding Calculator (<span>LA5-160x)</span>
Mathematics; Business; Physics; Engineering
<h3>Physical Description</h3>
<p>The calculator generally comprises three main parts: the main housing, the keypad, and the output carriage.<br /><br />The main housing for the calculator is rectangular as seen from the top, with one pale green slanted face on the front where the keypad is located, similar to a typewriter or cash register. The main housing is a shiny dark green in color with the appearance of a scale-like texture. On the bottom of the main housing are four feet which are steel with a rubber boot. On the front of the main housing, just below the slanted face, a "T" shaped knob protrudes. The knob has a small polished aluminum shaft (15mm long, 6mm diameter) with small black enamel handles (12mm long). Then, on the face to the right of the slanted face (when viewed straight on as if operating) is a knurled aluminum knob about 25mm in diameter. On the back of the calculator (opposite the slanted face) is an electrical connector that is on the right side of the calculator. Lastly, there are "MONROE" logos with yellow letters outlined in red on the front face below the slanted face and centered on the back, under both of which there are the words "HIGH SPEED ADDING CALCULATOR" in yellow. The logo on the back is much larger, while the logo on the front is about half the size and positioned towards the right. Additionally, on the bottom of the calculator in the center is a yellow tag that has the same logo in black letters with additional product information writtten below it.<br /><br />Housed on the slanted face is the keypad. This pale green panel contains a 10x8 array of white buttons (6mm diam.) with black numerals, 0 through 9. Each column starts with a zeroing key at the bottom and increases to nine at the topmost row. To the right of the number pad is another column of various buttons. Starting at the top is the subtraction button (with an inscribed - symbol) which is long, rectangular (35mm long, 13mm wide), and black in color. Directly below that is the addition button (with an inscribed + symbol) with the same shape, orientation, and color. Under that is a 6mm diameter red button that has no symbol. Then under that is another 6mm diameter red button with a darker red "R" on it. Last below that button is a larger red button (14mm diameter) with a pale green zero. The final component on the front panel is a small aluminum lever directly to the left of the left-most "1" button that stands 10mm tall.<br /><br />At the top rear is the output carriage. The carriage is primarily the same dark shiny green as the main body. The carriage is a triangular prism in shape with one of the long flat faces facing the operator, which is at the same angle as the input panel. On this primary face are two rows of small windows (5mm tall and 4mm wide). The bottom row closest to the number pad consists of 16 windows, while the top row consists of 8 windows that are directly above the eight rightmost widows of the bottom rows. Inside each of the windows are black numbers (on the top row, there is also a set of red numbers for subtraction) on a white roller much like a slot machine. Directly above the lower set of windows is a rail with yellow numbers above each window, starting with one on the left and ending with 16 on the right. Along this rail is a set of 5 brass sliders with very small knobs (3mm diameter) that are attached to red arrows that point down towards the lower set of windows. Directly above this rail and below the upper set of windows is another shorter rail that matches the shorter number of windows. This rail has eight numbers and one slider that points upwards. A large steel knob (15mm in diameter) is to the right of these rails. Lastly, on the right face of the carriage is a crank with a dark wooden knob about 10mm in diameter with a polished aluminum arm (20mm long).</p>
<h3>Functional Description<strong><strong><br /></strong></strong></h3>
<p>The purpose of this calculator is complete simple arithmetic such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.</p>
<p>Before doing any calculations, users will need to reset the registers (number windows on the carriage). Operators can do this by rotating the crank attached to the carriage until the register reads zero.</p>
<p>For adding, users type in the first number into the keypad by depressing the corresponding buttons, where the number furthest to the right is the smallest digit (which could represent a decimal). Then, the user shall click the plus button causing an electric motor to spin and load the number into the lower register (the longest set of windows). After that, users type the next number to which they would like to add in the same manner. Then, after selecting the add button, the value in the lower register will be the sum that the user is looking for.</p>
<p>For subtracting, the user should perform a similar process where they type in the larger of the two numbers and then press the add button to add the larger value to the register. After that, operators should input the subtracting value into the keypad. Then the user shall select the subtraction key, causing the motor to spin in the opposite direction. This will yield the desired difference in the lower register.</p>
<p>For multiplication, the user must input the larger value into the number pad. The operators shall select the red key with an R. This locks the number so that after the addition key is selected, the number pad will not reset. If the small number of the multiplication is less than ten, the user shall select the addition key as many times as the smaller number. The upper register will count the number of times the user has selected the addition key, and the lower register will display the product.</p>
<p>If the smaller number happens to be larger than ten, the user can select the add key for the smallest digit of the smaller number, and then they can shift the entire carriage with the T-shaped knob so that they add to the power of ten more. Operators should repeat this process until the upper register shows the smaller number of the multiplication, and the resultant in the lower register will be the product.</p>
<p>Operators can perform division in the same manner as a multiplication; however, they shall input the larger number into the lower register. Then, they can use the subtraction key instead of the addition key until the lower register reads as close to zero as possible (remainders may exist). The operator can then read the result of the division in the upper register in red numbers.</p>
<p>In addition, the calculator has some extra useful functions. One is at the bottom of each column is a zeroing button which can be used to clear a column if the incorrect value is selected. Similarly, there is a larger read zeroing buttons that clear the whole number pad. Another feature is a small lever that users can move to hold down the leftmost one on the number pad. This will cause the leftmost digit in the register to count the number of additions or subtractions performed. Another functional feature is the set of sliders on the registers. Ultimately, these sliders are used for the reference of the user and are often used for dealing with decimal numbers where the digits furthest to the right are the smallest decimal value or unit of precision. Lastly, there is a knob on the right side of the calculator that can be used to spin the motor and perform calculations without electricity. In this case, the knob shall be rotated clockwise to add and counterclockwise to subtract.<strong><br /></strong></p>
Isaac Couling
1940-1950
English
Physical Object
no accession number
United States of America
Riehle Tensile Test Machine (2296 ALT)
Civil Engineering, Asphalt Creep
<strong>Physical Description</strong>: This civil engineering instrument consists of a base, a ground stand, and a lowercase “r” shaped frame. The frame holds a scale arm with an English pound sliding weight. One end of the scale arm holds a bucket. Extending off the frame, below the bucket is a funnel. On the opposite side of the frame, there are two claws. The top claw extends off of a lever arm. The bottom claw extends from a wheel on the ground stand of the base. The bottom claw contains a claw stabilizer that extends from the base. Also extending off the base is a crank handle that rotates the wheel on the ground stand. On the front of the frame, there is a front frame bracket. <br /><br /><strong>Functional Description</strong>: In order to perform an asphalt creep test, a sample brick is placed between the claws of the machine. The handle is turned to operate the wheel and used to stabilize the claw hands, thereby holding the sample steady. On the opposite side of the machine, a substance is dumped into the bucket, putting a strain on the asphalt brick. When the brick breaks, the bucket can be weighed using the scale arm and counterweight, where the weight is tensile strength of the asphalt in pounds per area.
Joe Iwanicki, Clare Biolchini, Virginia Cistaro, Steve Wright
Engineers Club of Philadelphia, Library of the University of California, Google Books.
1890-1920
physical object
English
Physical Object
No accession number
United States
Bico Hand Driven Centrifuge
Civil Engineering
<strong>Physical Description</strong>: This machine consists of an iron base and an aluminum bowl that is mounted on the base. The bowl consists of a stationary 11” diameter outer bowl and a 9.75” diameter inner bowl that rotates. The inner bowl has a circular aluminum lid that covers the bowl and a brass funnel that screws into a center column of the bowl. The aluminum lid has three different thicknesses. The thickness increases in rings and gets thicker towards the center of the lid. The brass funnel is 3” in height total and has a 1.25” threaded chute. The chute of the funnel is closed off at the end and has two 0.099” diameter holes that pass laterally through the chute. The outer bowl has a brass spout with a 0.34”diameter that extends out of the bottom of the bowl and is 3.25” in length. The outer bowl also has a 11” diameter lid that covers the entirety of the bowl. This lid has a smaller lid with a 4.125” diameter set in the center with a small knob. The outer bowl has a latch at the top that secures the lid. The iron base has four 0.26” diameter holes for mounting to a tabletop. The base also has a crank handle that is used to rotate the inner bowl and extends 12” off the base. The top of the base has a 0.38” diameter black button that pushes in. The bottom of the machine has a base plate that is an 8.5” x 4.5” piece of aluminum covering a same dimensioned piece of rubber and is secured with 6 hex bolts. <br /><br /><strong>Functional Description</strong>: When used for asphalt extraction, the sample is weighed, and placed in the rotating aluminum bowl. A solvent is added, and the bowl is rotated by turning the handle to force all liquid out of the bowl. The process is repeated until all the solvent is forced out of the bowl and the remaining content of the bowl can be weighed and graded. The handle does not currently work to rotate the inner bowl due to an issue in the gearbox in the base of the machine.
Joe Iwanicki, Clare Biolchini, Virginia Cistaro, Steve Wright
Bicoinc.com. (2019) <a href="http://www.bicoinc.com/handExtractor.html">Hand Driven Rotarex – Asphalt Extractor</a>. [Online] Available: [Accessed 18 Nov. 2019].
1930-1980
English
Physical Object
No Accession number
Pendulum Astrolabe
Astronomical measurements: Astronomy
<strong>Physical Description:</strong> The instrument is situated on a gray base that is 34 cm long x 21.5 cm across x 1cm high. The object is able to rotate on this base to make the viewing of objects easier. The instrument consists of two eyepieces and two lenses, one set being larger than the other. The lens and eyepieces form a near right angle. When viewed from the side, the device looks like two black check marks, one large and one small. The device is 48cm high (top of base to the top of the eyepiece), 32 cm long (tip of lense to the tip of eyepiece), and 21 cm across. The lens are 7.5 cm across and 4.5 cm across each. There are some inscriptions near the base that denote the name of the device, maker of the devices, city and state, and some serial numbers. At first glance, the object looks like a microscope, however rather than looking into a slide or something similar, the thing the observer is viewing is being reflected from the other end of the lens into the eyepiece using a mirror suspended inside the instrument. <br /><br /><strong>Functional Description: </strong>First, place your eye near the eyepiece and look into it. After looking into the eyepiece, align the reticle in the eyepiece with the astronomical body that you are measuring. When the reticle and the body are aligned, this means that the body is at an altitude of 60 degrees. The light that enters the lens is then reflected into the eyepiece using a mirror that is suspended inside the instrument.<br /><br />The name "pendulum astrolabe" may seem strange at first becasue the device neither looks like a typical astrolabe nor does it appear to have a pendulum located on or in the device. However, an astrolabe is simply a device used to measure the altitudes of astronomical bodies. Also, the mirror located inside the device is suspended in a pendulum-like fashion.<br /><br />The actual measurement of 60 degrees seems unimportant other than that it is known that the angle is in fact 60 degrees. This can used to determiniation the declination of an astornomical body. If one measures every time that body crosses the 60 degree mark, then they could make a more educated statment about the motion of that body (period of its revolutions, etc.).
Johnathan Jaehnig, Joachim Wright, Ben Denys, and Paul Bahle
1952
English
Physical Object
M-5107
United States
Two-circle Contact Goniometer
Geology, Mineralogy and Crystallography
<strong>Physical Description:<br /></strong> <br />The two-circle contact goniometer has a tripod brass base painted black. A small brass graduated disc is connected to the center of the base on a pedestal, and the center of this disc is allowed to rotate. A small pedestal is raised from the center of this disc for the placement of the mineral. A second large brass graduated circle runs perpendicular to the disc so that it arches over the disc and is connected to the tripod base on either end. A brass contact bar runs perpendicular to the large circle. One end of the contact bar sticks above the circle and has a knob, while the other end of the contact bar is near the center of the circle and bears a flat edge. A contact bar is bolted to a brass piece that surrounds the circle, leaving the graduated side visible.
<strong><br />Functional Description:<br /></strong>
<p dir="ltr"><span>To set up the two-circle contact goniometer, a crystal is placed on the specimen holder such that one crystal face is parallel to the graduated disk (also called the stage). The crystal face that is fixed to the specimen holder is selected based on the axis of a prominent zone. All measurements are taken in relation to this zone. Next, the contact bar is then positioned such that its end is parallel to and in contact with a second crystal face. The goniometer is used to find an intersection point between pairs of crystal faces. An intersection point can be visualized as a point which connects two perpendicular lines drawn from the two crystal faces. The intersection point is written as coordinates: one measured on the stage and one on the vertical circle. The stage has a range from 0 to 360 degrees. The vertical circle measures from 0 to 110 degrees. The coordinates can also be thought of as a polar distance and azimuth which are then plotted on a projection. Once all the intersection points have been determined and plotted, trigonometry is used to calculate the interfacial angles and indices. </span></p>
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Kelvyn Van Laarhoven, Stephanie Peterson, Kathryn Wells, Matthew Champion and Audri Mills
c. 1890-1910
English
Physical Object
UW38A106 P.STOE | HEIDELBERG | GERMANY
United States Of America, Germany
Metallurgical Microscope
Magnification; Metallurgy; Science; Identifying; Inspecting; Research
Physical Description: This microscope is very clearly labeled as a metallurgical microscope. The material of the microscope appears to be brass with a shiny black enamel finished over the body and brass accents on the eyepiece, body tube, and fine/course adjustment knobs. The objective lens are composed of an unknown shiny metal that could possibly be aluminum or steel, and in comparably better shape than the rest of the microscope material. The lens do not appear to go up to a very high power of magnification, which is consistent with the monocular model. Based off of previous models from Wetzlar Co. that depict the objective lens in both a different material and in more complex powers, this particular part appears to be a replacement and likely not part of the original microscope material. The microscope comes in a wooden box with no other additional pieces or parts included.
Functional Description: The metallurgical microscope is intended to be used to study and inspect opaque objects by means of reflective light microscopy. These objects usually include metal, ceramic, and optical samples. Since this particular model is monocular, the functions of this microscope will be limited to a low power of magnification and only a singular eyepiece for observing.
Larissa Harris; Emma Durocher
1927-1931
English
Physical Object
MCMT-2464
No. 258479
Germany