timer switch
Date1890-1915
Inventory Number2001-1-0027
ClassificationTimer
Subject
Maker
American
User
Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University
founded 1884
User
Wallace C. Sabine
1868 - 1919
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions4.5 × 16.5 × 21.5 cm (1 3/4 × 6 1/2 × 8 7/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA six-sided black plate the shape of the top half of a kite. Near each of the two bottom corners is a gray metal binding post. Between them, along the bottom edge is a black plastic plaque bearing the word "TIMER" in white. Fixedly stacked along the top edge of the plate is a black box. On the top of the black box is a round black button with a metal rim. Above the button is another black plastic label bearing the word "RESET" in white.
Mounted on the middle part of the plate is a 0-shaped black base. Atop this, two metal strips are arranged to make a tall cross. On both ends of the cross-bar are black cylinders which are mounted on the 0-shaped base; the cross-bar terminates on each side with a binding post which comes out of the black cylinder. The longer shaft of the cross functions as a kind of lever, so the bottom end can be pushed (it bears a black disc that functions as a button) and the top end will rise.
Mounted on the middle part of the plate is a 0-shaped black base. Atop this, two metal strips are arranged to make a tall cross. On both ends of the cross-bar are black cylinders which are mounted on the 0-shaped base; the cross-bar terminates on each side with a binding post which comes out of the black cylinder. The longer shaft of the cross functions as a kind of lever, so the bottom end can be pushed (it bears a black disc that functions as a button) and the top end will rise.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedon plastic plaque on top: RESET
on plastic plaque on bottom: TIMER
FunctionTimer switch in the form of a telegraph/knife switch key. The telegraph mechanism was likely salvaged from an earlier instrument. Presumably the user would press down on the button to start and stop timing on a connected clock.
ProvenanceBelieved to have come from Prof. Wallace Sabine's old office in Jefferson 250, Harvard University. Found by Greg Morrow in AV, 5/25/00.
Sanborn Company
Date: 1930-1945
Accessories: leather cover; cloth cover; thin red wire
Object number: 1996-1-0278
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
CASIO Computer Company, Ltd.
Date: 1970-1980
Accessories: vinyl pouch with folded over snap cover and hanging loop; batteries
Object number: 1995-1-0012
Richard W. Thomas
Date: circa 1861
Accessories: bottle and beaker (1998-1-1634a); hydrometer and manual (1998-1-1634b)
Object number: 1998-1-1634
Gebrüder Haff
Date: 1960-1969
Accessories: plush-lined, hard green case
white card with instrument information in case
Object number: 1999-1-0005
Jakob Amsler
Date: circa 1906
Accessories: instrument is in four (4) parts; the rail is in own box and is inventory # 2006-1-0002b; letter from Prof. William Brower containing the complete history of ownership and use (missing)
Object number: 2006-1-0002a
U.S. Electrical Supplies
Date: 1910-1920
Object number: 1997-1-0578
Automatic Adding Machine Company
Date: circa 1915
Accessories: rectangular leather case; manual for operation and maintenance, price lists, and examples (CHSI library Lib.4587, photocopy in instrument file)
Object number: DW0972
