Skip to main content
kite meteorgraph
kite meteorgraph

kite meteorgraph

Datedated 1902
Inventory Number1998-1-0419
ClassificationMeteorograph
Subject
    Maker William H. Dines 1855 - 1927
    Maker Junghans founded 1861
    Cultural Region
      Place of Origin
        Place of Use
          Dimensionscover: 8 × 40.3 × 33 cm (3 1/8 × 15 7/8 × 13 in.)
          blue board box: 11.4 × 44.5 × 37.8 cm (4 1/2 × 17 1/2 × 14 7/8 in.)
          Material
            Accessoriescloth cover
            DescriptionInstrument consists of a wooden box containing a disk which turns like a record, rotating past three (four?) metal stylus arms with pens which record data. The arm on the far left is connected to a human hair on the front of the device; this part of the instrument measures humidity. The next arm to the right indicates barometric pressure, and then another is for temperature. An upside-down V-shaped assembly with a wire fastener at the peak may function as a device hanger. An assembly, which consisting of a brass tube slit in along one end at the top held by a metal bracket secured by two screws.
            Brass assembly in the center of the device is a winding mechanism.

            The back of the instrument is covered with a fitted square cloth cover.

            The device is driven by a "J. Unghans" table clock.
            Signedunsigned
            Inscribedcover marked: Dines's / Kite - Meteorograph / -1902- / (Historical)
            FunctionThis device records meteorological data on a circular paper sheet held by a rotating surface. Each of the arms with a stylus is connected to an instrument that measures pressure, temperature and humidity.

            It was designed to be flown on a kite.
            Historical AttributesMade by William Henry Dines.
            anemometer, Dines pressure-tube type
            William H. Dines
            Date: circa 1891
            Object number: 1998-1-0907
            kite meteorograph
            Sterling P. Fergusson
            Date: date 1898
            Object number: 1996-1-0162
            Friez Instrument Division, Bendix Aviation Corporation
            Date: circa 1950
            Accessories: piece of chart paper
            Object number: 2024-1-0011
            hygro-thermograph
            Weathertronics
            Date: circa 1960
            Accessories: two inkbottles; 6 pens;1 package of charts (obtained from Robert E. White Instruments, Inc. Boston, Tel. 617- 742-3045)
            Object number: 1999-1-0042
            hair hygrometer
            Jones & Son
            Date: 1806-1825
            Accessories: hinged wooden instrument case, with interior velvet padding
            Object number: 5601
            balloon meteorograph in wicker basket
            Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
            Date: ca. 1900-1930
            Object number: 1998-1-0877
            compensating polar planimeter
            Gebrüder Haff
            Date: circa 1940
            Accessories: case
            Object number: 1997-1-0446
            compensating polar planimeter
            Gebrüder Haff
            Date: circa 1940
            Accessories: card with instrument info and conversion table; photocopy of letter from Dr. Joachim Fischer to William J.H. Andrewes, dated 12 May 1997; photocopy of extract from Dr. Joachim Fischer's inventory of integrating instruments included with the letter
            Object number: 1997-1-0444
            compensating polar planimeter
            Gebrüder Haff
            Date: circa 1940
            Accessories: card with instrument information and conversion table
            Object number: 1997-1-0445
            compensating polar planimeter
            Gottlieb Coradi
            Date: circa 1920
            Accessories: pieces of the front of black leather case with clasps; lid of case with paper data sheet; pieces of black leather case lined with green velvet
            Object number: 2004-1-0345
            Ediphone dictation machine
            Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
            Date: circa 1930
            Object number: 8505