chemistry set
Date: 1936
Inventory Number: 2010-1-0010
Classification: Chemistry Set
Subject:
Maker: A. C. Gilbert Company (founded 1909)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
37 x 33 x 6.5 cm (14 9/16 x 13 x 2 9/16 in.)
DescriptionChemisty set in a blue wood box made by the A.C. Gilbert Company. The kit is incomplete, but contains:
Two wood vials of
1) Nickel ammonium sulfate: a green crystalline solid, mildly toxic and carcinogenic. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of metallic nickel, oxides of sulfur, and oxides of nitrogen (Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 910). The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. It is used for electroplating nickel.
2) Sulfur
Four small glass vials containing
1) Glyercine (empty)
2) Strontium nitrate (empty): A white crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates burning of combustible materials. May explode if large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat or fire. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires. Used in pyrotechnics, in medicine, and to make other chemicals.
3) Cobalt chloride (empty): Inhalation causes respiratory disease, shortness of breath, and coughing; permanent disability may occur. Ingestion causes pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact causes irritation of eyes and may cause skin rash. (USCG, 1999)
4) Calcium oxide (full): An odorless, white or gray-white solid in the form of hard lumps. A strong irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used in insecticides and fertilizers.
Plus, three wood vials and three small glass vials with unreadable labels, one empty blue glass dropper bottle, a pair of tongs, an alcohol burner, several test tubes, and six packets of test papers of various types.
The label on the outside warns, "This set is not intended for children who cannot read and understand the accompanying instruction book."
Two wood vials of
1) Nickel ammonium sulfate: a green crystalline solid, mildly toxic and carcinogenic. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of metallic nickel, oxides of sulfur, and oxides of nitrogen (Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 910). The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. It is used for electroplating nickel.
2) Sulfur
Four small glass vials containing
1) Glyercine (empty)
2) Strontium nitrate (empty): A white crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates burning of combustible materials. May explode if large quantities are involved in a fire or the combustible material is finely divided. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat or fire. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires. Used in pyrotechnics, in medicine, and to make other chemicals.
3) Cobalt chloride (empty): Inhalation causes respiratory disease, shortness of breath, and coughing; permanent disability may occur. Ingestion causes pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact causes irritation of eyes and may cause skin rash. (USCG, 1999)
4) Calcium oxide (full): An odorless, white or gray-white solid in the form of hard lumps. A strong irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used in insecticides and fertilizers.
Plus, three wood vials and three small glass vials with unreadable labels, one empty blue glass dropper bottle, a pair of tongs, an alcohol burner, several test tubes, and six packets of test papers of various types.
The label on the outside warns, "This set is not intended for children who cannot read and understand the accompanying instruction book."
In Collection(s)
Signedon paper label: Copyright 1936 by the A.C. Gilbert Co., New [Haven], Co[nn]
InscribedGlued paper label on outside of wooden case: GILBERT / CHEMISTRY OUTFIT
ProvenanceGiven to the CHSI by Maggie Jack (A.B. in History of Science, Harvard University, 2010), September 30, 2010.