invar tape
Date1935-1940
Inventory Number1997-1-1860a
ClassificationMeasuring Tape
Subject
Maker
American
User
Wilmer C. Anderson
User
Department of Physics, Harvard University
founded 1884
Cultural Region
Dimensions35.5 × 35.5 × 2.1 cm (14 × 14 × 13/16 in.)
box: 10.2 × 37.5 × 37.5 cm (4 × 14 3/4 × 14 3/4 in.)
box: 10.2 × 37.5 × 37.5 cm (4 × 14 3/4 × 14 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionA circular casing with a hand crank that holds the tape inside. There are two tapes with this object.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedon case: INVAR TAPE / 44M BY 0.5M / CRUFT LABORATORY
Curatorial RemarksHoused in same blue boad tray as 1997-1-1860b-c. SMS 9/18/18
FunctionThis tape is made with a metallic alloy known as invar, an alloy of nickel and steel that possesses a very low coefficient of expansion when submitted to thermal variations. This expansion invariance was essential in making accurate measurements.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Cruft Laboratory, Harvard University.
Historical AttributesThis measuring tape was used for the velocity of light experiment done by Wilmer Anderson at the Lyman laboratory, Harvard University.
This tape was twice calibrated by the Department of Commerce National Bureau of Standards, the latest one Test no. 89518 6/8/40
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1937
Accessories: green carboard box; large wooden box (996-1-0072a) used to contain all objects in series
Object number: 1996-1-0072n
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1928
Accessories: green carboard box; large wooden box (996-1-0072a) used to contain all objects in series
Object number: 1996-1-0072m
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1928
Accessories: green carboard box; large wooden box (996-1-0072a) used to contain all objects in series
Object number: 1996-1-0072l
American
Date: early 20th Century
Accessories: large wooden box (996-1-0072a) used to contain all objects in series
Object number: 1996-1-0072i
Laboratory of Psychophysics, Harvard University
Date: 1978
Accessories: black plastic case, soft cover book, label
Object number: WJ1238
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: early 20th Century
Accessories: large wooden box (996-1-0072a) used to contain all objects in series
Object number: 1996-1-0072h
3M Company
Date: after 1948
Accessories: 12 reels in cardboard box
Object number: RS0918
Lufkin Rule Company
Date: circa 1938
Object number: 1997-1-1846
Lufkin Rule Company
Date: early 20th Century
Accessories: large wooden box (996-1-0072a) used to contain all objects in series
Object number: 1996-1-0072g
See also/See also
