bridge testing switch

Date: late 19th-early 20th Century

Inventory Number: 0283

Classification: Switch

Subject:

electricity, electrical engineering,

Maker: Leeds & Northrup Company (1903 - 1995)

User: Harvard Engineering School (1918 - 1951)

Cultural Region:

United States,

Place of Origin:

Philadelphia,

City of Use:

Cambridge,

Dimensions:

7.4 × 27 × 18 cm (2 15/16 × 10 5/8 × 7 1/16 in.)

Material:

wood, rope, brass, steel, iron,

Accessories:

Description:

Sliding contact switch. Double pull, double throw switch (DPDT switch) with heavy contacts. Assorted connecting leads attached. Mounted on rectangular wooden base. Leveling screws missing.

Signedbase plaque engraved: THE LEEDS AND NORTHRUP CO. / SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS PHILADELPHIA. 7312;

another base plaque engraved: HARVARD UNIVERSITY / 465

FunctionUsed to create and break an electrical circuit.

Curatorial RemarksLeveling screw missing. Was first incorrectly catalogued as 1997-1-0229, so slide will have that number.

ProvenanceFrom the Harvard University Engineering School. Removed to this collection November 1956.