black prism
Date: 1900-1950
Inventory Number: 1997-1-1751a
Classification: Prism
Subject:
Maker: American ?
User: Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University (1890 - 1961)
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
prism: 5.3 × 7.2 × 4.6 cm (2 1/16 × 2 13/16 × 1 13/16 in.)
case: 6.5 × 9.5 × 7.6 cm (2 9/16 × 3 3/4 × 3 in.)
box: 10.2 × 14.9 × 7.9 cm (4 × 5 7/8 × 3 1/8 in.)
Description:
Prism painted black stored in a wooden triangular case. The number "46" has been handwritten on paper and glued onto the prism. The letter "A" has been handwritten on the prism itself.
Signedunsigned
FunctionPrisms are used to create a light spectrum, an artificial rainbow. Wikipedia offers a nice description, with images, of how it works. See the following website.
This one, being black, may have been used as a polarizer.
This one, being black, may have been used as a polarizer.
Historical AttributesUsed by Prof. Clifford Frondel in the Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University.
Curatorial Remarks1997-1-1751a and 'b' housed together in a blue board lidless box. SMS 8/29/18
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University.
