Beckmann thermometer
Date: 1900-1960
Inventory Number: 2003-1-0092
Classification: Thermometer
Subject:
Maker: German
Supplier: Central Scientific Company (1889 - 2000)
User: John B. Little
User: Harvard School of Public Health (founded 1913)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
57 x 2 x 2 cm (22 7/16 x 13/16 x 13/16 in.)
in case : 63 x 2.7 x 2.7 cm (24 13/16 x 1 1/16 x 1 1/16 in.)
Accessories: wooden carrying case
Description:
A thermometer consisting of a narrow glass tube filled with mercury, mounted on a white scale. The tube has a long bulb at its lower end and an s-shaped top chamber. Tube and scale are both contained in a glass vessel with a metal (nickel?) cap. Its scale is calibrated from 0°C to 6°C, graduated to 1/100 of a degree (numbers every 0.2).
The s-shaped section is partially filled with mercury and has its own scale, from 0 to 140 in increments of 10.
Stored in a wooden case, shellacked with clear varnish.
The s-shaped section is partially filled with mercury and has its own scale, from 0 to 140 in increments of 10.
Stored in a wooden case, shellacked with clear varnish.
Signedinscribed on thermometer in gold : CENCO
Inscribedinscribed on thermometer in gold : Thermometer n. Beckmann in 1/100°C.
inscribed on thermometer in gold : MADE IN GERMANY
inscribed on thermometer in gold : No. 19410
inscribed on thermometer in gold : MADE IN GERMANY
inscribed on thermometer in gold : No. 19410
FunctionThis is a thermometer that the user can fill with different amounts of mercury to use at different temperature ranges. It is very precise but because of this it has a narrow range of 6 degrees. To change the range of operation, mercury from the s-bend is poured down to the main capillary.
See also the following website.
This particular instrument had been called by its owner a specific gravity thermometer, so that was likely its specific function at the Harvard School of Public Health.
See also the following website.
This particular instrument had been called by its owner a specific gravity thermometer, so that was likely its specific function at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Historical AttributesUsed by J.B. Little, Physiology Lab, Harvard School of Public Health.
ProvenanceJohn B. Little.