Opelt siren
Date: circa 1865
Inventory Number: 1997-1-1018
Classification: Siren
Subject:
Maker: Rudolph Koenig (1832 - 1901)
Inventor: Friedrich Wilhelm Opelt (1794 - 1863)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
diameter of disk: 49 cm (19 5/16 in.)
49 x 49 x 0.5 cm (19 5/16 x 19 5/16 x 3/16 in.)
Bibliography:
Catalogue des appareils d'acoustique
Description:
Large heavy-weight cardboard disk with 24 concentric circles of holes punched in a star-like pattern. On the reverse, the circles are marked in ink with (a) the number of holes that would pass in front of a jet of air in each circle as the disk was rapidly rotated to produce a particular note; (b) musical intervals produced; and (c) chords produced.
Back has handwritten inscription: "Rapports des nombres de trous, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 40, 45, 54, 5/4, 4/3, 3/2, 5/3, 7/4, 6543, 8654, 6543, 8654."
Translation: "Numbers correspond to the number of holes."
Back has handwritten inscription: "Rapports des nombres de trous, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 40, 45, 54, 5/4, 4/3, 3/2, 5/3, 7/4, 6543, 8654, 6543, 8654."
Translation: "Numbers correspond to the number of holes."
In Collection(s)
Signedhandwritten in ink on front of each disk: RUDOLPH KŒNIG / A PARIS
FunctionThe Opelt siren is an improvement on the Seebeck siren.
When mounted vertically on a spinning shaft and having a jet of air directed at one of the rings of holes, this siren can produce 15 simple notes, 5 different interval scales, and 4 chords.
A video demonstration of the Opelt siren was produced by the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence, Italy and is on YouTube.
When mounted vertically on a spinning shaft and having a jet of air directed at one of the rings of holes, this siren can produce 15 simple notes, 5 different interval scales, and 4 chords.
A video demonstration of the Opelt siren was produced by the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence, Italy and is on YouTube.
Curatorial RemarksKoenig spelled Opelt's name with two "p"s: Oppelt.
Primary SourcesRudolph Koenig, Catalogue des Appareils d'Acoustique (1865), p. 7, no. 37.