gas x-ray tube
Date: circa 1910
Inventory Number: 2003-1-0197a
Classification: Vacuum Tube
Subject:
Maker: Macalaster-Wiggin Company (fl. 1897 - 1916)
Maker: Victor Electric Company (1893 - 1923)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
16 x 52 x 24 cm (6 5/16 x 20 1/2 x 9 7/16 in.)
Accessories: cloth-insulated cords each with a hook end and a electrode connector end (2); wooden tube clamp; wood pieces (4)
Description:
A large spherical vacuum tube with a concave cathode, a heavy tungsten anode that comes from a side tube at a 45 degree angle to the cathode, and a third anode aligned with the cathode. There is a side tube with an asbestos regenerator.
The tube is housed inside the drawer of an especially built cabinet (see 2003-1-0197c). The drawer has a holder that keeps the tube by the cathode-anode axis.
A small adhesive paper label reads "3 1/2 to 5 in class (?)".
The tube is housed inside the drawer of an especially built cabinet (see 2003-1-0197c). The drawer has a holder that keeps the tube by the cathode-anode axis.
A small adhesive paper label reads "3 1/2 to 5 in class (?)".
Signedon tube: MADE IN BOSTON / BY / MACALASTER AND WIGGIN
on tube: Victor TRADEMARK
on tube: Victor TRADEMARK
FunctionThis is an early x-ray tube that needed an optimal gas pressure inside. For this reason it has a side tube with asbestos that when heated increases the gas pressure inside. As for the tube operation itself, it has a concave cathode that helped focus the electrons on the target. The target is at a 45 degree angle, made of heavy tungsten, and is where the x-rays are produced by the colliding electrons. There is an additional anode behind the target which was thought to improve these gas tubes' performance.
Curatorial RemarksProf. Robert Arns, Department of Physics, University of Vermont, recommended that we take these tubes and cabinet. He made the following comments over the telephone to Martha Richardson. 1) People did build cabinets for x-ray tubes. It was a rather unique way to mount the tube. 2) The tube is a complicated tube made by a couple of companies for a short period of time. The one like it in our collection from the Countway Library was kept even though it is broken because he didn't know of any others.
Attached Boston Museum of Science inventory label reads "Gas X-ray tube about 1900-1910. Donated for educational use by Dr. W. K. Coffin of Boston. Accession #9854"
Attached Boston Museum of Science inventory label reads "Gas X-ray tube about 1900-1910. Donated for educational use by Dr. W. K. Coffin of Boston. Accession #9854"
ProvenanceFrom the Boston Museum of Science.
