ac du power supply
Dateafter 1940
Inventory Number1998-1-1003b
ClassificationSpectrophotometer
Subject
Maker
Beckman Instruments, Inc.
1950 - 1997
Supplier
Arthur H. Thomas Company
1900-present
User
John R. Pappenheimer
1915 - 2007
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions29 x 60 x 25 cm (11 7/16 x 23 5/8 x 9 13/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe AC Power Supply is used with the Beckman Model DU Spectrophotometer. The power supply is housed in a long rectangular gray and blue metal case. There are six controls located on the top panel: a power switch, a hydrogen lamp switch (which also controls the mercury lamp), a hydrogen lamp - mercury lamp selector switch, a sensitivity switch, a zero suppression switch and a screen bias switch. On the back plate, there are three output cords which can be attached to the spectrophotometer and two terminals. The power cord input is located in the front plate.
Signedon small rectangular plate: ARTHUR H. THOMAS CO. / Scientific Apparatus / PHILA, PA USA;
on long rectangular label: Beckman DU(R) POWER SUPPLY
Curatorial Remarksmanuals on file
FunctionAccording to the manual, the Beckman Power Supply is "an a.c. operated unit designed for use with the Beckman Model DU Spectrophotometer.... Operating from a 115 or 230-volt a.c. power line, the power supply provides regulated voltages required for operation of the DU, the tungsten lamp, and the hydrogen lamp." It also has the ability to operate with a mercury lamp and a photomultiplier attachment. Furthermore, "the DC Power Supply replaces all batteries normally used with the Model DU, eliminates the need for the Battery Regulator, and supplants the Hydrogen Lamp Power Supply."
ProvenanceFrom Prof. John R. Pappenheimer, Concord Field Station, Bedford, MA.
Historical AttributesIn National Academy of Sciences bulletin regarding Beckman's receipt of the Public Welfare Medal: "Beckman continued to develop and make scientific instruments, and in 1940 manufactured the famous Model DU spectrophotometer. Considered the scientific equivalent of the Model T, this product not only simplified tedious laboratory procedures, it also increased analytical precision and revolutionized chemical analysis." See file folder for details.
Prof. Pappenheimer said he used this instrument while at the Harvard University Medical School and then took it with him to the Concord Field Station in Bedford, MA. He also said it was a commonly used instrument.
Beckman Instruments, Inc.
Date: after 1940
Accessories: clear rings (3); black cylindrical tube; long black rectangular object; short black rectangular object; metal rings (4); glass slides (3); CENCO FILTER / NO. 87308-A and CENCO FILTER / NO. 87308-?10B from CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC CO.; manual on file
Object number: 1998-1-1003a
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: 1947-2002
Object number: 2003-1-0291
Hickok Electrical Instrument Company
Date: 1955-1965
Object number: 1998-1-0879
Polaroid Corporation
Date: circa 1978
Accessories: wrist strap, Twi Light movie lights
Object number: 2004-1-0507
American Optical Company
Date: 1950-1955
Object number: 2009-1-0073
Radio Corporation of America
Date: circa 1921
Object number: RS0723
Kenyon Transformer Company, Inc.
Date: 1945-1960
Object number: 2009-1-0074
International Business Machines Corporation
Date: 1986-1992
Accessories: monitor; keyboard (b); one black cable; one grey cable; function key template; part of cable; printout of an e-mail from Chip Robinson (c)
Object number: 1997-1-1825a
International Business Machines Corporation
Date: 1986-1992
Accessories: monitor; keyboard; one black cable; one grey cable; function key template; part of cable; printout of an e-mail from Chip Robinson
Object number: 1997-1-1825c
Wollensak Optical Company
Date: circa 1965
Object number: 2008-1-0055
See also/See also
