Images(2)

laboratory thermometer

Date1880-1890

Inventory Number4408

ClassificationThermometer

Subject

Supplier Edward N. Kent fl. 1840 - 1890

Maker French

Owner Theodore William Richards 1868 - 1928

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions1.4 x 28.4 cm (9/16 x 11 3/16 in.)
case: 31.1 x 2.3 cm (12 1/4 x 7/8 in.)

Material

Accessoriesmarbled cardboard case

DescriptionA thermometer consisting of a thin glass tube with a mercury capillary inside a thicker glass vessel in the shape of a cylinder with a tip at one end holding the thermometer's mercury bulb, and a glass bulb at the opposite end. The thin thermometer is flanked by a paper rolled on the inside walls of the container which is marked in brown ink with two scales, one Celsius and one Reaumur. It is calibrated from -10°R to 120°R and -10°C to 150°C, graduated to 1 degree. The scale also has several markings at several temperatures as follows: at 0°: "Glace" (freezing); at 10°R / 12°C: "Tempéré" (temperate); at 26°R / 32°C: "Bains" (baths); at 80°R / 100°C: "Eau B'te" (boiling water). In addition, there are circles of red dots at 0°C and at 100°C / 80°R.

Signedlabel on case: EDWARD N. KENT, Practical Chemist & Importer of Foreign Chemicals and CHEMICAL APPARATUS No 116 John Street, New York on paper scale: Thermometre Centigrade et Reaumur

FunctionA laboratory thermometer with a range most useful for water solutions. It includes a glass bulb at the top so it can be tied to a string and immersed in hot liquids.

Historical AttributesThis thermometer was owned and likely used by Harvard Professor of Chemistry, Theodore William Richards. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1914 for work on atomic weights.