color wheel
Date1880-1930
Inventory Number1997-1-0990
ClassificationColor Wheel
Subject
Maker
American
?
User
Bowdoin College, Department of Physics
founded after 1794
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions24.5 × 12.5 × 10.2 cm (9 5/8 × 4 15/16 × 4 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis instrument consists of a crank handle spinning a toothed wheel that is linked to a pulley wheel. The latter is linked to a smaller pulley at the top of the instrument, rotating a horizontal axle (the strap or cord is missing). That axle has screws between which were put color wheels (also missing). The instrument rests on a wooden base supported by four feet.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis instrument was used to study the properties of color mixing. Colored disks (missing here) were put on the axle and spun rapidly, creating a uniform color from the several colors seen on the disk at rest.
For a short description, go to the following website.
For a short description, go to the following website.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Bowdoin College.
Thomas Hall
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: pulley rope
Object number: 1997-1-1423
Daniel Davis, Jr.
Date: circa 1848
Object number: 1997-1-1801
James W. Queen & Company
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: two fragments of glass wheel bound separately as (b) and (c)
Object number: 1997-1-0644a,b,c
