plumb bob with tripod
Date: circa 1910
Inventory Number: 1998-1-0198c
Classification: Demonstration Device
Subject:
Maker: Central Scientific Company (1889 - 2000)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
tripod: 25.4 × 19.9 × 17.7 cm (10 × 7 13/16 × 6 15/16 in.)
tripod: 9.5 × 4.3 × 4.3 cm (3 3/4 × 1 11/16 × 1 11/16 in.)
Description:
This is an iron plumb bob and matching tripod with removable legs.
The body of the plumb bob, which is coated in black enamel, is conical in shape. Projecting from the top of the plumb bob on two legs is a round knob with a hole at its center. A string has been wound around both legs and threaded upward through the knob's hole.
The tripod, also covered in black enamel, comprises a ring with a bar across its center and three thin legs with pointed feet. The threaded top portions of the legs screw into circular sockets on the underside of the ring.
At one end of the bar across the tripod's ring is a a steel wing nut, which is tightened around a bolt extending up from the ring and through an oval-shaped slit in the cross bar.
In the center of the bottom of the cross bar is a metal loop from which the plumb bob may be suspended.
The body of the plumb bob, which is coated in black enamel, is conical in shape. Projecting from the top of the plumb bob on two legs is a round knob with a hole at its center. A string has been wound around both legs and threaded upward through the knob's hole.
The tripod, also covered in black enamel, comprises a ring with a bar across its center and three thin legs with pointed feet. The threaded top portions of the legs screw into circular sockets on the underside of the ring.
At one end of the bar across the tripod's ring is a a steel wing nut, which is tightened around a bolt extending up from the ring and through an oval-shaped slit in the cross bar.
In the center of the bottom of the cross bar is a metal loop from which the plumb bob may be suspended.
Signedstamped on top of tripod's ring: C.S.CO.
FunctionA plumb bob is used to determine a vertical line.
The plumb bob's string is threaded through the loop on the underside of the (assembled) tripod's cross bar. The tripod is then placed on a surface, with the plumb bob allowed to dangle freely. The resting position of the plumb bob's line shows true vertical.
The plumb bob's string is threaded through the loop on the underside of the (assembled) tripod's cross bar. The tripod is then placed on a surface, with the plumb bob allowed to dangle freely. The resting position of the plumb bob's line shows true vertical.
Curatorial RemarksSee also a second Central Scientific Company plumb bob with tripod, 1998-1-0198b.