electromagnetic tuning fork
Date1890-1920
Inventory Number1997-1-0915
ClassificationTuning Fork
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions28 x 87 x 30 cm (11 x 34 1/4 x 11 13/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe instrument is mounted on a wooden base. At one end is a vertical wood block serving as a support for the horizontal tuning fork. In the center of the base is the electromagnetic coils that generate the vibrations. On each pole of the electromagnet is a screw coming in contact with the fork's tine. Together with the sliding weights, they are used to adjust and vary the frequency of the fork.
As several other acoustical instruments in the collection, this one has an old location number inscribed on an oval paper glued to the base: 19-?-?. There is another old location number stamped on this instrument: 20-13.
Whether it was shop-built at Harvard itself or made in the US is hard to tell here.
As several other acoustical instruments in the collection, this one has an old location number inscribed on an oval paper glued to the base: 19-?-?. There is another old location number stamped on this instrument: 20-13.
Whether it was shop-built at Harvard itself or made in the US is hard to tell here.
Signedunsigned
FunctionCommon in acoustical or psychological experiments of sound perception, tuning forks are used to ascertain the variation of sound pitches. A tuning fork resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object (or in this case by electricity). The pitch generated by a particular tuning fork depends on the length of the two tines, with two nodes near the bend of the usually U-shaped instrument.
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1889
Object number: 1997-1-0884
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1889
Object number: 1998-1-0274
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: circa 1870
Object number: 1997-1-0929
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1865
Object number: 1997-1-0877
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: circa 1870
Object number: 1997-1-0930
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1865
Object number: 1997-1-0887
The W. M. Welch Scientific Company
Date: 1950-1960
Object number: 1998-1-0450
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1875
Object number: 1998-1-0135