meteorological thermometer
Date1885-1910
Inventory NumberDW0631
ClassificationThermometer
Subject
Maker
Henry J. Green
fl. 1885 - 1910
User
Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University
1890 - 1961
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions1 x 28.7 x 3 cm (3/8 x 11 5/16 x 1 3/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA thermometer consisting of a glass tube with a mercury capillary, that has a scale in Fahrenheit degrees from -20 to 120 degrees. It is fixed to a metal plate with some numbers handwritten in pencil (60,70,80), also in Fahrenheit degrees that coincide perfectly with the ones on the thermometer.
The thermometer's mercury bulb used to be wrapped in cloth (see old picture).
The thermometer's mercury bulb used to be wrapped in cloth (see old picture).
Signedon plate to the left of thermometer: HENRY J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y.
FunctionThis is a thermometer with a scale most useful for determining the temperature of air. Originally it was meant as a wet-bulb thermometer, as its bulb was wrapped in cloth. As a wet-bulb thermometer, its bulb would be kept wet by a wick connected to a water source. The wet-bulb temperature was useful for determining the humidity of air by comparing with the air temperature and using a table.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from the Geographic Building (likely the Institute of Geographical Exploration), Harvard University, in 1959.
Henry J. Green
Date: 1890-1910
Accessories: cardboard box
Object number: 1998-1-1271b
Henry J. Green
Date: 1890-1910
Accessories: cardboard box
Object number: 1998-1-1271a
Henry J. Green
Date: 1885-1910
Object number: 1998-1-1252
