barium-selenium alloy samples in sealed glass tube
Date: circa 1940
Inventory Number: 1998-1-1336h
Classification: Metal Samples
Subject:
Maker: Percy Williams Bridgman (1882 - 1961)
Maker: (Box) AKATOS Inc. (1879 - 1944)
User: Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Cultural Region:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
8.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 cm (3 3/8 x 3/16 x 3/16 in.)
Accessories: wooden shipping crate
Description:
Small, sealed glass tube containing Barium-selenium metal samples. Two of the pieces are larger and cylindrical shaped. The rest of the samples are mostly dust. The samples are dark brown and matte.
Sample was found in a rectangular wooden shipping box with interlocking faces and a removable lid.
Sample was found in a rectangular wooden shipping box with interlocking faces and a removable lid.
Signedtypewritten in blue and black on off-white label on lid of shipping crate in which object was found: AKATOS, Inc. / SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY CHEMICALS / 114-118 LIBERTY STREET NEW YORK, N.Y. / Special Handling / To__Jefferson Physical Laboratory__ / Address__Harvard University__ / __Att. Prof. Bridgeman__ Cambridge, Mass.__ / No.___ Value___
Inscribedhandwritten in black on front of shipping crate: Early Resistance
circular black ink stamped on top of shipping crate: NEW YORK N.Y. / MAY 20 / 7 PM / VARICK ST. STA / 1990
handwritten in pencil on lid of shipping crate: 16 / 137x216
handwritten in black on paper label inside tube: BaSe Bl / 148-Bd 8-11
circular black ink stamped on top of shipping crate: NEW YORK N.Y. / MAY 20 / 7 PM / VARICK ST. STA / 1990
handwritten in pencil on lid of shipping crate: 16 / 137x216
handwritten in black on paper label inside tube: BaSe Bl / 148-Bd 8-11
FunctionHigh pressure physics.
These samples were likely used in or produced by Prof. Bridgman's early experiments with high pressure apparatuses. They may have been used in experiments testing the high pressure resistance of substances given that the wooden shipping crate in which they were found is labeled "Early Resistance".
These samples were likely used in or produced by Prof. Bridgman's early experiments with high pressure apparatuses. They may have been used in experiments testing the high pressure resistance of substances given that the wooden shipping crate in which they were found is labeled "Early Resistance".
Historical AttributesPercy Bridgman's experimental work at Harvard University consisted mainly in the production of very high pressures and the investigation of the effects such pressures have on the properties of matter.
During the 1920s, most of Bridgman's experiments used high pressures between 12 000 and 20 000 atmospheres (12,000-20,000 kg/cm²). In order to produce such high pressures, Bridgman used a hydraulic press in conjunction with two pumps in order to produce the high pressures. See for example, 1997-1-1819a, b, c and d.
During the 1930s, Bridgman increased the pressure, reaching between 30 000 and 50 000 atmospheres using two and even three hand pumps.
Bridgman would put samples of various materials into a chamber of the press, raise the pressure inside the chamber, and then study the material samples or residues that remained afterward. He the effects of high pressures on the specific resistance, temperature coefficients, volume, electrical conductivity, shearing strength, electrical resistance, density, tensile properties, and compression. He studied these effects on all manner of substances from minerals, metals, and chemicals to plastics, glass and egg yolks. Bridgman hoped his experimental results would contribute to theories of the internal structure of atoms and molecules that were gaining attention throughout the first half of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1946 for his research.
Bridgman also did work on the synthesis of diamonds from graphite using very high pressures and temperatures. Early in 1941, the General Electric Company arranged a five year agreement with Bridgman to finance his experimental research in producing diamonds. Bridgman wanted to reverse a known process in which diamonds turn to graphite at atmospheric pressure and 1500°C. His experiments were conducted in the Harvard Geophysical Laboratory. However, Bridgman was ultimately unsuccessful in the synthesis of diamonds, and his continued research was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War.
During the 1920s, most of Bridgman's experiments used high pressures between 12 000 and 20 000 atmospheres (12,000-20,000 kg/cm²). In order to produce such high pressures, Bridgman used a hydraulic press in conjunction with two pumps in order to produce the high pressures. See for example, 1997-1-1819a, b, c and d.
During the 1930s, Bridgman increased the pressure, reaching between 30 000 and 50 000 atmospheres using two and even three hand pumps.
Bridgman would put samples of various materials into a chamber of the press, raise the pressure inside the chamber, and then study the material samples or residues that remained afterward. He the effects of high pressures on the specific resistance, temperature coefficients, volume, electrical conductivity, shearing strength, electrical resistance, density, tensile properties, and compression. He studied these effects on all manner of substances from minerals, metals, and chemicals to plastics, glass and egg yolks. Bridgman hoped his experimental results would contribute to theories of the internal structure of atoms and molecules that were gaining attention throughout the first half of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1946 for his research.
Bridgman also did work on the synthesis of diamonds from graphite using very high pressures and temperatures. Early in 1941, the General Electric Company arranged a five year agreement with Bridgman to finance his experimental research in producing diamonds. Bridgman wanted to reverse a known process in which diamonds turn to graphite at atmospheric pressure and 1500°C. His experiments were conducted in the Harvard Geophysical Laboratory. However, Bridgman was ultimately unsuccessful in the synthesis of diamonds, and his continued research was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War.
Curatorial RemarksThis object was found in a wooden shipping crate from AKATOS Inc. However it is unknown how many of the objects contained in the crate were originally from AKATOS Inc. The crate, labeled "Early Resistance" was most likely used by Prof. Bridgman as a storage container for samples and devices used in his early experiments on the effects of high pressures on the resistance of materials.
Primary SourcesAbbot, C.G. The Experiments of Dr. P. W. Bridgman on the Properties of Matter When Under High Pressure in Smithsonian Report for 1918. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1920. pp. 185 - 204. (Lib. 2912)
Bridgman, Percy W. Mercury resistance as a pressure gauge. Physics Research Thesis at Harvard University (in Harvard University Archives), 1910.
-------------------------- A condensed collection of thermodynamic formulas. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925.
-------------------------- Physics of High Pressures. London: Bell, 1931.
-------------------------- "Shearing phenomena at high pressure of possible importance for geology" in Journal of Geology, Vol. 44 No. 6 (1936), pp. 653 - 669.
------------------------- Studies in Large Plastic Flow and Fracture. New York: McGraw Hill, 1952.
-------------------------- "Certain Aspects of Plastic Flow under High Stresses" in Studies in Mathematics and Mechanics Presented to Richard von Mises. New York: Academic Press Inc., 1954. pp. 227 - 231. (Lib. 5817)
-------------------------- "Effects of Pressure on Binary Alloys" and "Miscellaneous Effects of Pressure on Miscellaneous Substances" in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. 84, No. 1 (1955).
-------------------------- "Synthetic Diamonds" in Scientific American, November 1955, pp. 42 - 46. (Lib. 340)
------------------------- Collected Experimental Papers. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1964.
Bridgman, Percy W. Mercury resistance as a pressure gauge. Physics Research Thesis at Harvard University (in Harvard University Archives), 1910.
-------------------------- A condensed collection of thermodynamic formulas. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925.
-------------------------- Physics of High Pressures. London: Bell, 1931.
-------------------------- "Shearing phenomena at high pressure of possible importance for geology" in Journal of Geology, Vol. 44 No. 6 (1936), pp. 653 - 669.
------------------------- Studies in Large Plastic Flow and Fracture. New York: McGraw Hill, 1952.
-------------------------- "Certain Aspects of Plastic Flow under High Stresses" in Studies in Mathematics and Mechanics Presented to Richard von Mises. New York: Academic Press Inc., 1954. pp. 227 - 231. (Lib. 5817)
-------------------------- "Effects of Pressure on Binary Alloys" and "Miscellaneous Effects of Pressure on Miscellaneous Substances" in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. 84, No. 1 (1955).
-------------------------- "Synthetic Diamonds" in Scientific American, November 1955, pp. 42 - 46. (Lib. 340)
------------------------- Collected Experimental Papers. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1964.
ProvenanceFrom Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University.
