singing flame apparatus
Date1875-1910
Inventory NumberDW0174
ClassificationSinging Flame
Subject
Maker
J. Lancelot
fl. 1912
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions47 x 32.5 x 18.5 cm (18 1/2 x 12 13/16 x 7 5/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe gas flowing in the main pipes of this apparatus is controlled by two stopcocks. The primary line gets gas to two single flame burners, one on each side of the central rod. The other line, set on top of the main one, can provide gas to a third flame burner. There are in fact three holders attached to the rod. They held long glass tubes, which were meant to go over the flames. One such glass tube, broken, is found with this instrument.
There are two accessories at one end of the mahogany base, on which the whole apparatus is set. One is a rotating single flame burner, equipped with a grooved wheel, which could replace either burner set besides the central rod. The other accessory is a multiple flame burner, which was introduced in the central rod.
There are two accessories at one end of the mahogany base, on which the whole apparatus is set. One is a rotating single flame burner, equipped with a grooved wheel, which could replace either burner set besides the central rod. The other accessory is a multiple flame burner, which was introduced in the central rod.
In Collection(s)
Signedon base, stamped: J. LANCELOT / PARIS
FunctionThis "singing flame" apparatus produces musical pitches in resonating glass tubes. Flames from gas jets produce random noise with many frequencies. A glass tube of a given length resonates only at certain frequencies thus amplifying the sound at those frequencies.
For a more elaborate explanation and to learn what kind of experiments were done with such an apparatus, see John Tyndall, Sound: A Course of Eight Lectures Delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 2e ed. (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1869), lecture VI. [online here.]
For a more elaborate explanation and to learn what kind of experiments were done with such an apparatus, see John Tyndall, Sound: A Course of Eight Lectures Delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 2e ed. (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1869), lecture VI. [online here.]
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roux-Devillas Paris, May 14, 1966 (lot 5/16).
Rudolph Koenig
Date: 1865-1890
Object number: 1997-1-0919
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1865
Object number: 1998-1-1606
Théodore and Albert Duboscq
Date: 1880-1890
Accessories: small metal piece
Object number: 1998-1-1635
Thomas Phillips
Date: 1930-1950
Accessories: black wooden frame
Object number: 1998-1-1190
Eastern Science Supply Company
Date: circa 1925
Object number: 1996-1-0622
