Leyden jar
Date1890-1930
Inventory Number1997-1-0677d
ClassificationLeyden Jar
Subject
Maker
Ziegler Electric Company
1889 - 1930
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions32.6 x 9.9 cm (12 13/16 x 3 7/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriespart of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
DescriptionA tall, relatively narrow glass jar with the lower half of its outer and inner surface covered with a thin metal foil, probably lead. Its mouth has a wooden cap through which goes a brass rod with a ball at the outside end. Inside, the rod connects to two metal strips that extend to connect to the foil inside the jar.
Signedstamp on lid: ZIEGLER ELEC CO / MFGR'S / BOSTON
Curatorial RemarksThis Leyden jar is slightly different to the others in this series. Its shape is different (narrower mouth), and its lid has metal strips attached instead of a chain.
FunctionLeyden jars were the earliest form of capacitor but were still common until the early twentieth century. The jar accumulates electric charge when the metal foil outside is at a voltage different to the one of the brass rod and the foil inside of the jar that is connected to it with the metal strips.
Once charged, Leyden jars can be connected in series to attain large voltages. For this reason many (like this series) come in groups.
Once charged, Leyden jars can be connected in series to attain large voltages. For this reason many (like this series) come in groups.
American
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677a
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
Date: 1900-1930
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677c
American
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677b
American
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: part of a series of four Leyden jars that comes in a box with 4 holes cut in and knob. The series includes an extra lid and a two photographs of the jar 1997-1-0677a with their negative (in Kodak safety film)
Object number: 1997-1-0677e
New England Glass Company
Date: 1864-1866
Accessories: a series of booklets and documents related to the acquisition of this series of objects, now in this instrument's file: a) a booklet titled "The Agassiz Jar Collection, Bicentennial Edition"; b) A booklet titled "Louis Agassiz and the History of the Collection, Commemorative Edition"; c) A cover letter by University Antiquaries Inc. addressed to potential buyers of the jars with order form; d) a price list for the Jars (in blue glossy paper).
Object number: 1997-1-1572
New England Glass Company
Date: 1864-1866
Accessories: a series of booklets and documents related to the acquisition of this series of objects, now in this instrument's file: a) a booklet called "Louis Agassiz and the History of the Jar Collection"; b) a small newspaper ad clipping (Christian Science Monitor) called "A Part of our Past" about the jars; an individual Certificate of Authenticity.
Other documents that came with this object are now part of the CHSI library: "The Agassiz Jar Collection, Bicentennial Edition" and Louis Agassiz and the History of the Collection, Commemorative Edition"
Object number: 1997-1-1574
Wireless Specialty Apparatus Company
Date: circa 1908
Accessories: part of a set that includes an LC resonant circuit with variable inductance (0507a) and another glass Leyden jar (0507c)
Object number: 0507b
New England Glass Company
Date: 1864-1866
Accessories: a series of booklets and documents related to the acquisition of this series of objects, now in this instrument's file: a) "The Agassiz Jar Collection, Bicentennial Edition" b) "Louis Agassiz and the History of the Collection, Commemorative Edition"; c: "Louis Agassiz and the History of the Jar Collection"; d) individual Certificate of Authenticity
Object number: 1997-1-1568
French
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: Leyden jars (2)
2 rubber pulley belts
Object number: DW0890
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
Date: 1900-1930
Object number: 1997-1-1405
