cathetometer
Date1880-1890
Inventory Number1998-1-0248a
ClassificationCathetometer
Subject
Manufacturer
Société Genevoise pour la Construction d'Instruments de Physique et de Mécanique
1862-present
Supplier
James W. Queen & Company
1853 - 1893
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions143 x 51 x 51 cm (56 5/16 x 20 1/16 x 20 1/16 in.)
Material
AccessoriesCheck see also records: box of weights and other parts (#1998-1-0248c); extra mount for finderscope (#1998-1-0248b).
DescriptionThe instrument rests on three feet, each of which has a leveling screw. Two bubble levels are on the base. The pillar rotates and can be finely adjusted by two tangent screws. There is no vernier or scale for that purpose.
A graduated silver line runs along the pillar. The division is in centimeters, from 10 to 120. The smallest division is 0.1 cm. A vernier is attached to the bracket supporting the telescope. It is divided from 0 to 50, the smallest division being the unit. The vernier is hinged, so it can be slightly lifted of the graduated line. On the left, a sliding part on which was probably fixed a magnifying lens to look at the vernier (missing here). A screw is used for fine height adjustments.
The telescope is held in place by two U-brackets. A bubble level sits on top of it. A tangent screw is used to precisely adjust the vertical inclination of the telescope. A counter weight is attached to a sliding support at the back.
Original price in 1900: 1,000 Swiss Francs (according to the Société Genevoise trade catalogue).
A graduated silver line runs along the pillar. The division is in centimeters, from 10 to 120. The smallest division is 0.1 cm. A vernier is attached to the bracket supporting the telescope. It is divided from 0 to 50, the smallest division being the unit. The vernier is hinged, so it can be slightly lifted of the graduated line. On the left, a sliding part on which was probably fixed a magnifying lens to look at the vernier (missing here). A screw is used for fine height adjustments.
The telescope is held in place by two U-brackets. A bubble level sits on top of it. A tangent screw is used to precisely adjust the vertical inclination of the telescope. A counter weight is attached to a sliding support at the back.
Original price in 1900: 1,000 Swiss Francs (according to the Société Genevoise trade catalogue).
Signedon base, in script: Société genevoise / J. W. Queen & Cie. Agents
Inscribedon tag: from Chemistry Lab 12 Jan. 1981
FunctionA cathetometer is an instrument used for the accurate measurement of differences of heights. Large cathetometers could measure differences of as much as one meter. It was used, for instance, to determine the precise differences in the height of a column of mercury at different times during an experiment involving barometric measurements. In chemistry, it could accurately measure the height difference of two liquids in glass vessels.
Société Genevoise pour la Construction d'Instruments de Physique et de Mécanique
Date: 1890-1920
Object number: 1997-1-1810
Société Genevoise pour la Construction d'Instruments de Physique et de Mécanique
Date: 1880-1890
Object number: 1998-1-0248c
Fauth & Company
Date: 1874-1905
Accessories: bubble level
Object number: 1997-1-1808
Andrew Yeates
Date: circa 1840
Accessories: case, second eyepiece, plumb bob
Object number: 5235
John H. Temple
Date: 1850-1870
Accessories: carrying case; dust cap; leather straps; tripod (5166b)
Object number: 5166a
Heller & Brightly
Date: circa 1908
Accessories: carrying case; plumb bob; tripod (5167b)
Object number: 5167a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: wood case; leather case; right-angle prism; plumb bob; oil flask; tripod (5174b)
Object number: 5174a
C. F. Casella & Co. Ltd.
Date: circa 1920
Accessories: case
Object number: 1989-1-0028
Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Company
Date: 1905-1907
Accessories: bubble level, sun shade, calibration card in lid, needle
Object number: 5154
