Beckmann thermometer
Date: 1900-1930
Inventory Number: 4433
Classification: Thermometer
Subject:
Maker: Bender und Hobein (circa 1880-present)
User: Department of Physics, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
1.7 x 52.5 cm (11/16 x 20 11/16 in.)
case: 54.4 x 2.2 cm (21 7/16 x 7/8 in.)
Accessories: black cylindrical cardboard case with red inner surface (top missing)
Description:
A thermometer consisting of a glass tube with a mercury capillary enclosed in an outer glass tube sealed with a brass cap. The lower part of the thermometer that leads to the mercury bulb is thin and unmarked, with the upper section containing a milk glass scale calibrated from 0 to 5.6 degrees Celsius with a precision of 1/100 of a degree. The mercury capillary makes an S-bend near the top of the thermometer.
Signedmarked: Dr. Bender & Dr. Hobein, München
Inscribedon thermometer: Centigrade Normalthermometer
FunctionThis is a thermometer that the user can fill with different amounts of mercury to use at different temperature ranges. It is very precise but because of this it has a narrow range of 5.6 degrees Celsius. To set it up for use, the thermometer would be placed in contact with a substance a few degrees above the upper required limit of temperature, and enough mercury would then be poured in so that the stem filled up to the s-bend. That way, the thermometer would have a range up to that temperature.
Curatorial RemarksA mentions: "0°-5.6°C V100° Lyman-Hall or Bridgman. From Lyman Lab Oct 13, 1963"
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Lyman Laboratory, Harvard University.