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on-off module
Date: circa 1950
Inventory Number: WJ0974
Classification: Switch
Subject:
Maker: B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990)
Maker: Department of Psychology, Harvard University (founded 1934)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
18.7 × 6.4 × 5.1 cm (7 3/8 × 2 1/2 × 2 in.)
Description:
This is a shopbuilt switch, and is currently mounted in an instrument rack (WJ1011).
A metal toggle switch is mounted below a red light in a black panel. To its left and right are painted in red letters the words "ON" and "OFF." Below it is a piece of paper taped to the panel. In ink, someone has written "DO NOT TURN OFF." The words are crossed out.
Above this are two fuses, one marked in red paint "AC" and the other "DC."
A metal toggle switch is mounted below a red light in a black panel. To its left and right are painted in red letters the words "ON" and "OFF." Below it is a piece of paper taped to the panel. In ink, someone has written "DO NOT TURN OFF." The words are crossed out.
Above this are two fuses, one marked in red paint "AC" and the other "DC."
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis module is an on-off swtich. It switched on the power supply that provided provided 28 volt DC current to the power bars on the instrument rack, thereby powering all the deviced mounted onto the rack..
Historical AttributesUsed in B. F. Skinner's laboratory in the basement of Memorial Hall at Harvard University as part of his experiments on operant conditioning and behavioral psychology. This was part of Skinner's second experimental setup.
Curatorial RemarksOriginally mounted in a tabletop instrument rack (WJ1005) dating from the early 1950s as part of a B. F. Skinner exhibition in the basement of William James Hall. In 2016, it was removed and remounted onto a larger freestanding instrument rack (WJ1011) for use in a newer exhibition on B. F. Skinner in William James Hall (ninth floor).