Images(3)

hydrometer set box

Date1902-1914

Inventory Number4479

ClassificationHydrometer

Subject

Maker German

Supplier Scientific Materials Company 1902 - 1925

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions2.9 x 55.2 x 34 cm (1 1/8 x 21 3/4 x 13 3/8 in.)

Material

DescriptionA black hinged box with violet velvet lining containing a set of twenty-two small glass hydrometers, each consisting of a glass tube with slightly more than one-half if its length very narrow and the other half wider and containing some lead shot. From left to right the hydrometers increase in the amount of lead shot that they contain. Altogether, their scales go from 0.700 to 1.930.

These hydrometers, although roughly in an increasing scale, contain some duplicates as well as gaps in the scale. Probably the remainder of two identical sets.

There are two paper scales in the box from missing hydrometers. The box is marked: CARNEGIE G.C. E739B

Signedall tubes except one marked: Germany, Scientific Materials Company, Pittsburgh

FunctionThis is the carrying case for a set of 22 hydrometers. The hydrometers are used to determine a liquid's specific gravity and are used by letting them float upright in the liquid and registering the point in the scale that the liquid's surface reaches.

These are very precise in that each individual hydrometer has a very narrow range of less than 5% of the density of water. Their overall range, from 0.700 to 1.930 makes them usable in most liquids of everyday use (except for mercury).

ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Harvard University.