arc lamp with electrical interrupter
Date1860-1879, 1882-1885
Inventory Number1997-1-0688
ClassificationArc Lamp
Subject
Maker
Louis Jules Duboscq
French, 1817 - 1886
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions48 × 21 × 12 cm (18 7/8 × 8 1/4 × 4 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis instrument is a carbon arc lamp. The central part, supported by three vertical rods, is a clockwork mechanism used to regulate the distance between the two pieces of carbon generating the intense light. One piece of carbon (the bottom one) would have been put on the short rod on top of the mechanism (a small piece is still left in the holder). The other piece of carbon (the top one) would have been fixed to another rod, itself linked to the tall and hollow rod seen on the right of the picture. The mechanism would have moved this top piece of carbon up and down to maintain the brightness of the light (which depends on the distance between the two rods). A wing nut screw is used to wind the clockwork mechanism. On the side there is an on/off button (ARRÊT / MARCHE).
Under the clockwork mechanism is the electrical interrupter. It is composed of two coils and a lever and vertical connector, linked to the above mechanism. A thumb screw and spring is used to adjust the height of the lever above the coils. Two binding posts, one near the coils and one above the mechanism, connected to a battery, provided electricity to the system. (On this specific part of the lamp, more information is provided on the following website.)
Under the clockwork mechanism is the electrical interrupter. It is composed of two coils and a lever and vertical connector, linked to the above mechanism. A thumb screw and spring is used to adjust the height of the lever above the coils. Two binding posts, one near the coils and one above the mechanism, connected to a battery, provided electricity to the system. (On this specific part of the lamp, more information is provided on the following website.)
Signedon side, script: J. Duboscq à Paris / APPAREIL BREVETÉ S.G.D.G.
FunctionThis device was designed to provide a constant and powerful source of light. It was used in many circumstances, and especially in a projector (like the one described in 1997-1-1469).
For an original description from one of Duboscq's catalogues, see the following website.
See also, in English, the following website.
A video demonstration of a Duboscq arc lamp (with projector) by the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence is available on YouTube here.
For an original description from one of Duboscq's catalogues, see the following website.
See also, in English, the following website.
A video demonstration of a Duboscq arc lamp (with projector) by the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence is available on YouTube here.
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: 1860-1879, 1882-1885
Object number: 1996-1-0669
Louis Jules Duboscq
Date: 1860-1879, 1882-1885
Object number: 1997-1-0687
Théodore and Albert Duboscq
Date: 1880-1890
Object number: 1996-1-0618
Théodore and Albert Duboscq
Date: 1880-1890
Accessories: small metal piece
Object number: 1998-1-1635
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company
Date: circa 1948
Accessories: water chamber; 2 boxes of arc carbons (2002-1-0034c); rheostat (2002-1-0034b)
Object number: 2002-1-0034a
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: 1940-1950
Accessories: boxes of arc carbons (3)
Object number: 1997-1-0669
French
Date: circa 1895
Accessories: key, metal rod with sphere at one end
Object number: DW0097
See also/See also
