magnetic dip needle
Dateafter 1857
Inventory Number0131
ClassificationDip Needle
Subject
Maker
Thomas Hall
fl. 1840 - 1875
User
Department of Physics, Harvard University
founded 1884
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions35.5 × 11.1 × 11.3 cm (14 × 4 3/8 × 4 7/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionMagnetic dip needle free to orient in vertical plane, with brass supports on wood base
From Card:
A steel needle, tapered to points at each end, is pivoted in its middle so it may move in the vertical plane. The needle pivot is supported by a brass U-shaped support on a circular mahogany base. No scale.
From Card:
A steel needle, tapered to points at each end, is pivoted in its middle so it may move in the vertical plane. The needle pivot is supported by a brass U-shaped support on a circular mahogany base. No scale.
Signedon each brass support: T. HALL / BOSTON
Inscribedpainted on mahogany base: MG
Curatorial RemarksThe dip needle is illustrated in Davis' 1842 Manual (fig 33 p. 53), but the manual illustrates the instrument with a universal joint at the pivot, which this instrument lacks.
Davis' 1848, 1855, 1869 (published by T. Hall) Manuals illustrated the dip needle which is confined to vertical plane in fig. 6 p. 6, and list the price as `Small Dippling Needle $1.00 to 1.50'.
FunctionFor instructional demonstration of the direction of inclination of the magnetism of Earth.
ProvenanceFrom the Physics Department, Harvard University.
Historical AttributesOld paint number `MG' indicates that it was used in Physics lectures ca. 1930s.
Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd.
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: mahogany case
HUSUN catalogue (in instrument file)
Object number: 5335c
American
Date: early 20th-mid 20th Century
Accessories: wooden box to hold dip needles
Object number: 1998-1-1428
Edward Nairne
Date: 1765
Accessories: Small magnifying glass on end of box to assist in aligning the dip needle.
Object number: 0026
Barthélémy Urbain Bianchi
Date: ca. 1840
Accessories: housed in pine box
Object number: 5212
W. & L. E. Gurley
Date: 1950
Accessories: leather carrying pouch
Object number: 1996-1-0638
Henri Gambey
Date: circa 1835
Accessories: cover (square wood frame with glass panes); spare needle in separate box stamped "8-22" (Inv # 1990-2-0001b)
Object number: 1990-2-0001a
Henri Gambey
Date: circa 1835
Accessories: This needle is an accessory for 1990-2-0001a.
Object number: 1990-2-0001b
