induction coil
Date1842-1855
Inventory Number0110c
ClassificationInduction Coil
Subject
Attributed to
Daniel Davis, Jr.
1813 - 1887
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions24.7 × 6.9 × 1.8 cm (9 3/4 × 2 11/16 × 11/16 in.)
box: 27.3 × 18.4 × 15.9 cm (10 3/4 × 7 1/4 × 6 1/4 in.)
box: 27.3 × 18.4 × 15.9 cm (10 3/4 × 7 1/4 × 6 1/4 in.)
Material
Bibliography
DescriptionOne copper wire, insulated in cotton thread and painted green is wound in four layers in a coil, with two wires extending. Inside the coil is painted red.
This is how Davis described this instrument in 1848: "This is a short helix, consisting of several layers of wire, and with a large central opening... The ends of the wire are left free, in order to be inserted into the cups of the battery. At D are shown two semicircular pieces of soft iron, provided with handles for pulling. The handles are attached to the semicircles, by ball and socket joints, to prevent them from being twisted or wrenched by irregular pulling. When connection is made with the battery, and the semicircles are passed within the coil, as shown in the cut, they adhere with very considerable force." (p.169)
It was sold $5 by Davis in 1848.
This is how Davis described this instrument in 1848: "This is a short helix, consisting of several layers of wire, and with a large central opening... The ends of the wire are left free, in order to be inserted into the cups of the battery. At D are shown two semicircular pieces of soft iron, provided with handles for pulling. The handles are attached to the semicircles, by ball and socket joints, to prevent them from being twisted or wrenched by irregular pulling. When connection is made with the battery, and the semicircles are passed within the coil, as shown in the cut, they adhere with very considerable force." (p.169)
It was sold $5 by Davis in 1848.
Signedunsigned
FunctionTo demonstrate that when electricity, generated by a battery, passes through the coil, the soft iron ring's halves become magnetically attracted and they cannot be easily pulled apart.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Harvard University.
Daniel Davis, Jr.
Date: 1842-1855
Object number: 0110a
Daniel Davis, Jr.
Date: 1842-1855
Object number: 0110b
Daniel Davis, Jr.
Date: circa 1848
Accessories: battery (0566b); pair of shock handles (0566c,d)
Object number: 0566a
Daniel Davis, Jr.
Date: 1848-1855
Object number: 0120
