Baumé hydrometer for sulphuric acid
Date: circa 1900
Inventory Number: 1998-1-0294
Classification: Hydrometer
Subject:
Maker: Electric Storage Battery Company (founded 1888)
Supplier: J. S. F. Huddleston (fl. 1840 - 1860)
User: Department of Physics, Bowdoin College (founded after 1794)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
1.5 x 19 x 1 cm (9/16 x 7 1/2 x 3/8 in.)
storage: 2.8 x 28 x 2.8 cm (1 1/8 x 11 x 1 1/8 in.)
Description:
A hydrometer consisting of a glass tube with a bulb at one end filled with small lead shot. It is marked with a scale that goes from -22 to 20 with increasing distance from the bulb. Inside the glass tube is also a small thermometer with a scale that goes from 0 to 13.
The lead shot is submerged in an orange sticky substance.
The lead shot is submerged in an orange sticky substance.
Signedprinted on paper scale inside bulb: Electric Storage Battery Co.
on case: J. S. F. Huddleston, Washington St. Boston.
on case: J. S. F. Huddleston, Washington St. Boston.
Inscribedprinted on paper scale inside bulb: Philadelphia, Pa, Cat. No. 7165.
FunctionThis is a hydrometer made for testing the specific gravity of solutions of water and sulphuric acid, which indirectly tests the percentage content of sulphuric acid in them. As with most hydrometers, one would let it float in the liquid to be tested and the reading would be the point reached by the liquid's surface on the scale. The reading is affected by temperature so there is a thermometer included inside the hydrometer and the user is expected to make corrections based on the temperature.
In this case, it was most likely used to verify the acidity of batteries.
In this case, it was most likely used to verify the acidity of batteries.
Curatorial RemarksThe case may be earlier than the hydrometer, made by a Boston instrument maker for another apparatus.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Bowdoin College.