comparative color photometer
Datecirca 1920
Inventory Number1997-1-0986
ClassificationColor Photometer
Subject
Maker
Arthur Howland
fl. 1890 - 1920
Maker
Wadsworth, Howland, & Company, Inc.
founded 1893
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsouter box: 18 × 42.9 × 32.8 cm (7 1/16 × 16 7/8 × 12 15/16 in.)
inner box: 24.5 × 11.6 × 15.3 cm (9 5/8 × 4 9/16 × 6 in.)
each file holder: 1.8 × 20.4 × 15 cm (11/16 × 8 1/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
box: 20.3 × 44.5 × 31.8 cm (8 × 17 1/2 × 12 1/2 in.)
inner box: 24.5 × 11.6 × 15.3 cm (9 5/8 × 4 9/16 × 6 in.)
each file holder: 1.8 × 20.4 × 15 cm (11/16 × 8 1/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
box: 20.3 × 44.5 × 31.8 cm (8 × 17 1/2 × 12 1/2 in.)
Material
Accessoriescolor discs
DescriptionThis instrument consists of a small motor designed to put in rotation paper color discs. A note scratched on the inside cover mentions it used 110 AC current. The motor is screened from view by a second partition covered with black velvet. A third screen behind the motor is used to absord any other light, so that the background would appear completely black. This box is equipped with a square opening through which an observer, standing about 15 feet away, would look at the rotating color disc. The box has a carrying handle.
This instrument is stored in a large box containing several samples of color discs, which were used for generating any given color.
This instrument is stored in a large box containing several samples of color discs, which were used for generating any given color.
Signedon plaque: HOWLAND COMPARATIVE / COLOR PHOTOMETER / PAT. MAR. 28. 1916
FunctionThis instrument was designed to reproduce the exact composition of any given color. With a special type of colorless chart (see the white circular chart with numbers from 0 to 95) it is possible to geometrically determine, for example, a specific yellow between red and green by plotting them on the colorless chart. Once the ratio of red and green has been found using this geometric method, a green and red disc containing this ratio is put on the instrument and spun. An observer should then see the desired yellow.
The subtitle of the article mentioned in the Primary Sources is: Announcement of a new system for the standardization and charting of colors and also for scientific color synthesis.
More information can also be found in a patent granted to Howland in 1921, see here. [This may be a different patent than the one mentioned on the instrument. Google Patents does not appear to have a record for the date inscribed on the plaque.]
The subtitle of the article mentioned in the Primary Sources is: Announcement of a new system for the standardization and charting of colors and also for scientific color synthesis.
More information can also be found in a patent granted to Howland in 1921, see here. [This may be a different patent than the one mentioned on the instrument. Google Patents does not appear to have a record for the date inscribed on the plaque.]
Kollmorgen Corporation
Date: circa 1980
Accessories: Two instructions manuals: SPECTRA PRITCHARD PHOTOMETER, MODEL 1980A, CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS; INSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR SPECTRA PRITCHARD PHOTOMETER, Model 1980A. Both in gray archival box, C2-H1
Object number: 2004-1-0214a
Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 1991
Accessories: black plastic case
Object number: 1998-1-0789
Western Digital Corporation
Date: circa 1990
Accessories: black plastic case
Object number: 1998-1-0592
American
Date: circa 1924
Accessories: stand; canvas hood and drawstring
Object number: WJ0102
IBM Japan Ltd
Date: 1993
Accessories: re-usable grey plastic sleeve
Object number: 2004-1-0012