induction coil
Datelate 19th-mid 20th Century
Inventory Number0342
ClassificationInduction Coil
Subject
User
Theodore William Richards
1868 - 1928
User
Department of Chemistry, Harvard University
founded 1791
Maker
P.K. / M
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions15.6 × 24.9 × 15 cm (6 1/8 × 9 13/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionInduction coil with shiny black endpieces, on wood base with horizontal hammer. A short heavy coil moulded wood end caps. The card indicates that it was wound sectionally, and then covered with thin hard rubber wrapper. The high tension ends are mounted over the coil. The circuit breaker is a horizontal hammer. There is a reversing switch, and the base conceals the condenser. The coil may be wound in sections.
From instrument's card: "A short heavy coil with moulded wood end caps. Probably wound sectionally, covered with thin hard rubber wrapper, high terminals mounted over coil (not ends), regulation horizontal circuit breaker, lever reversing switch on rectangular moulded wood box base containing condenser."
From instrument's card: "A short heavy coil with moulded wood end caps. Probably wound sectionally, covered with thin hard rubber wrapper, high terminals mounted over coil (not ends), regulation horizontal circuit breaker, lever reversing switch on rectangular moulded wood box base containing condenser."
Signedside of base marked: P.K./M.
Inscribedbased numbered: 2686; marked on base: CARNEGIE / G.C.E 784 / SPARK / COIL
FunctionFor experimentation and demonstration of the high voltages induced in a secondary winding when the current in the primary windings is abruptly disrupted. The spark gap for this instrument was about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch.
From #0343's file card: "The uses of an induction coil are very numerous. Some of these may be classified: Experimental - production of sparks - magnetic deflection - colors from metals of spark points - perforation of solids as plate glass. Shocks - entertainment - medical. Discharges in vacuum - luminous discharge - deflection and rotation - Geissler tube in vacuum tubes - phosphoresce and florescence of materials - stratification - spectra of gases. High Vacuum effects and X-Rays (but not till 1895)."
From #0343's file card: "The uses of an induction coil are very numerous. Some of these may be classified: Experimental - production of sparks - magnetic deflection - colors from metals of spark points - perforation of solids as plate glass. Shocks - entertainment - medical. Discharges in vacuum - luminous discharge - deflection and rotation - Geissler tube in vacuum tubes - phosphoresce and florescence of materials - stratification - spectra of gases. High Vacuum effects and X-Rays (but not till 1895)."
ProvenanceDepartment of Chemistry, Harvard University; transferred to CHSI May 5, 1952.
Historical AttributesInscriptions indicate that it was used by Professor Theodore William Richards (see card).
Radio Corporation of America
Date: circa 1921
Object number: RS0723
American
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: box with sliding lid; envelope with parts
Object number: 0442
Daniel Davis, Jr.
Date: circa 1848
Accessories: battery (0566b); pair of shock handles (0566c,d)
Object number: 0566a