Skip to main content
Advanced Search
prisms (2)
prisms (2)

prisms (2)

Date1930 - 1970
Inventory Number2003-1-0148
ClassificationPrism
Subject
    Maker American ?
    Cultural Region
      DimensionsIsoceles: 6.7 × 9.6 × 8.3 cm (2 5/8 × 3 3/4 × 3 1/4 in.)
      constant deviation: 5.8 × 11.3 × 5.5 cm (2 5/16 × 4 7/16 × 2 3/16 in.)
      Material
        DescriptionOne is an equilateral prism (amber colored), the other a constant deviation prism (with two faces blackened).

        Ammended description:

        Isoceles prism with two faces
        polished edges
        Top face corner inscription (pencil): S.C.85176
        Top face center scratched in: 11-6179
        Top face Oblique corner: 435
        Bottom oblique corner: "OK TesT
        4 1/2-1/4
        TT"


        handwritten on box:

        1) 60 degrees
        2) constant deviation

        Stamped on box: #50250
        Signedunsigned
        FunctionPrisms are used to create a light spectrum, an artificial rainbow. Wikipedia offers a nice description, with images, of how it works. See the following website.
        box with 3 prisms
        box with 3 prisms
        Louis Jules Duboscq
        Date: 1850-1875
        Accessories: three prisms, smallest in cardboard box
        Object number: 1998-1-0410
        4 equilateral prisms
        4 equilateral prisms
        John A. Brashear
        Date: circa 1890
        Object number: 1997-1-1700
        2 rectangular prisms for the Faraday effect
        2 rectangular prisms for the Faraday effect
        American
        Date: 1875-1925
        Object number: 1998-1-0512
        2 x 2 inch 60° prism on stand
        2 x 2 inch 60° prism on stand
        American
        Date: 1850-1900
        Object number: 1997-1-1695
        2 x 3.5 inch 60° mounted prism
        2 x 3.5 inch 60° mounted prism
        American
        Date: 1880-1920
        Object number: 1997-1-1697
        1 equilateral prism
        1 equilateral prism
        John A. Brashear
        Date: circa 1890
        Object number: 1997-1-1700a
        pair of calcite prisms with different polarities
        pair of calcite prisms with different polarities
        American
        Date: circa 1900
        Object number: 1997-1-0848
        erecting prism
        erecting prism
        American
        Date: 1900-1940
        Object number: 1998-1-0416g
        6 x 10 inch, 60° prism
        6 x 10 inch, 60° prism
        American
        Date: 1870-1900
        Object number: 1997-1-1519a
        6 x 10 inch, 60° prism
        6 x 10 inch, 60° prism
        American
        Date: 1870-1900
        Object number: 1997-1-1519b
        2.5 x 2.5 inches right angle prism
        2.5 x 2.5 inches right angle prism
        American
        Date: circa 1900
        Object number: 1998-1-0386a
        2.5 x 2.5 inches right angle prism
        2.5 x 2.5 inches right angle prism
        American
        Date: circa 1900
        Object number: 1998-1-0386b