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pith balls

Date1920-1950
Inventory Number1997-1-1321
ClassificationElectrometer
Subject
    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.
          box of pith balls
          American
          Date: 1920-1950
          Object number: 1997-1-1343
          pith ball electrometer
          American
          Date: 1870-1930
          Object number: 1997-1-0645
          pith ball electrometer
          English
          Date: circa 1750
          Accessories: pith balls; case
          Object number: DW0359
          pith ball electroscope
          Schlagintweit Brothers
          Date: circa 1850
          Object number: DW0781
          balls for collision balls pendulum
          Breton Frères
          Date: circa 1850
          Object number: DW0317c
          metal balls for oscillation demonstration apparatus (4)
          Central Scientific Company
          Date: c. 1910
          Accessories: oscillation demonstration apparatus (RS0328); suspension stand (RS0328a); degree scale (RS0328b); lead weight (RS0328d).
          Object number: RS0328c
          pith-ball electroscope
          English
          Date: 1850-1900
          Object number: 1997-1-1347
          base for collision balls pendulum
          Breton Frères
          Date: circa 1850
          Accessories: (b) top, (c) ivory balls
          Object number: DW0317a
          top for collision balls pendulum
          Breton Frères
          Date: circa 1850
          Object number: DW0317b
          pith-ball electroscope
          English
          Date: 1850-1900
          Object number: 1997-1-1315
          oscillation demonstration apparatus
          Central Scientific Company
          Date: c. 1910
          Accessories: suspension stand (RS0328a); degree scale (RS0328b); four balls (RS0328c); lead weight (RS0328d).
          Object number: RS0328
          Wimshurst influence machine
          Central Scientific Company
          Date: circa 1940
          Accessories: 2 Leyden condensers made of Pyrex One rubber **gutta percha?** pulley, rotted.
          Object number: 1997-1-0634