variable resistance
Datecirca 1890
Inventory Number0501
ClassificationResistance
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions21.8 × 19 × 30.4 cm (8 9/16 × 7 1/2 × 11 15/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionTwo-terminal resistor with a continually adjustable tapping point controlled by the rotation of a shaft. A ceramic cylinder is wound with heavy bore resistance wire. It is pivoted at both ends and supported with brackets and a frame horizontally on a wooden base. A hand crank and gears at one end are arranged to rotate the cylinder with the wire. A slider is in contact with the wire and is carried along on a track with a worm turned crank so that it follows the wire. There are two tall binding posts attached to one side of the base.
Signedunsigned
FunctionA device designed to introduce resistance into an electric circuit. Fine adjustment of electrical resistance between two points in a circuit.
Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Object number: 0358
Date: 1890-1930
Object number: RS0505
