D.C. electric motor
Datecirca 1865
Inventory NumberDW0620
ClassificationMotor
Subject
Maker
Paul-Gustave Froment
1815 - 1865
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions36.7 × 48 × 34.4 cm (14 7/16 × 18 7/8 × 13 9/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis instrument is mounted atop a rectangular plank of wood (assembled from several smaller rectangular planks of wood). The motor is fixed in a metal frame attached by two curved feet to the wooden base in four places. The metal frame of the device is made up of connected dark brown I-bars. Each of the two major sides of the frame is made up of: a broad and shallow arch-shaped support and a large trapezoid (made up of three equilateral triangles side by side -- two pointing down, one pointing up). These two sides are connected by four strips of metal at all corners of the trapezoid. Each of the four strips of metal has four small, thick metal bolts running through it. Each strip (and the bolts running through it) supports two gray-green coils of tightly wound, insulated wire. In all, there are eight coils.
All of the coils are 'aimed at' the top middle part of the frame. Here, we find a set of brass wheels, lined up, and connected by a metal rod. The two middle wheels are connected to each other by eight magnetic iron bars, screwed in place.
The wheels are connected to a partial (about 1/3) brass wheel lined up outside the frame. Three wires emanate from the partial wheel. The partial wheel has three brass spokes, each with a small roller at the inside end. The rollers are fixed to a brass extension of the wheel axes at each side of the device. The other binding post is connected to a similar set up on the other side of the device. There are two brass connectors on one side of the wooden base. Each connector is attached by a thin, flat metal rod to one of the partial wheels on either side of the motor.
There is a larger, dark brown, spoked, double rimmed wheel on the opposite side of the instrument from the brass connecters, mounted to the outside of the frame.
All of the coils are 'aimed at' the top middle part of the frame. Here, we find a set of brass wheels, lined up, and connected by a metal rod. The two middle wheels are connected to each other by eight magnetic iron bars, screwed in place.
The wheels are connected to a partial (about 1/3) brass wheel lined up outside the frame. Three wires emanate from the partial wheel. The partial wheel has three brass spokes, each with a small roller at the inside end. The rollers are fixed to a brass extension of the wheel axes at each side of the device. The other binding post is connected to a similar set up on the other side of the device. There are two brass connectors on one side of the wooden base. Each connector is attached by a thin, flat metal rod to one of the partial wheels on either side of the motor.
There is a larger, dark brown, spoked, double rimmed wheel on the opposite side of the instrument from the brass connecters, mounted to the outside of the frame.
Signedembossed on one iron frame edge: FROMENT
FunctionDirect current electric motor for converting electricity into mechanical motion. This is done by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the iron bars rotating on the brass wheels and the tightly coiled wires.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, February 1, 1965 (lot 19, list 2/1).
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: 1916-1926
Accessories: wood case and key; photocopy of original Keuffel & Esser Co. catalogue in which the model is introduced
Object number: 1996-1-0084
Gebrüder Haff
Date: 1960-1969
Accessories: plush-lined, hard green case
white card with instrument information in case
Object number: 1999-1-0005
French
Date: 1855-1890
Accessories: box of feet for base
4 feet consisting of brass strips with screw holes at either end and iron points
8 screws, somewhat rusted
Object number: DW0329
Central Scientific Company
Date: ca. 1910-1940
Object number: RS0805
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1949
Accessories: instruction manual for K&E planimeters 4236, 4236M and 4242 in instrument case; instrument case; green cardboard box for instrument case; white card with instrument information inside case
Object number: 2004-1-0346
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: black storage case
two white cards with conversion tables inside case
Object number: 1997-1-2000
Gebrüder Haff
Date: circa 1949
Accessories: instrument case
white card with instrument and measurement information inside instrument case
Object number: 2004-1-0344
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
