pith balls
Date1920-1950
Inventory Number1997-1-1321
ClassificationElectrometer
Subject
Maker
Central Scientific Company
1889 - 2000
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions1 x 1 x 1.4 cm (3/8 x 3/8 x 9/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriescard
DescriptionCardboard box containing two pith balls on string.
Signedon card: \78650-A / PTIH BALLS, 6 with cord / CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC COMPANY / Scientific CENCO Apparatus / New York BOSTON San Fransico CHICAGO Los Angeles TORONTO [uncertain place] / 3:45 [?]
Curatorial RemarksCatalogue 78650-A says "PITH BALLS, 6 with cord"--there are only two pith balls in the box right now.
FunctionUsed for experiments showing the effects of electric charge on the balls' motion. For a description of one such experiment, go to the following website.
Central Scientific Company
Date: c. 1910
Accessories: oscillation demonstration apparatus (RS0328); suspension stand (RS0328a); degree scale (RS0328b); lead weight (RS0328d).
Object number: RS0328c
Breton Frères
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: (b) top, (c) ivory balls
Object number: DW0317a
Central Scientific Company
Date: c. 1910
Accessories: suspension stand (RS0328a); degree scale (RS0328b); four balls (RS0328c); lead weight (RS0328d).
Object number: RS0328
Central Scientific Company
Date: circa 1940
Accessories: 2 Leyden condensers made of Pyrex
One rubber **gutta percha?** pulley, rotted.
Object number: 1997-1-0634
