spark timer
Datecirca 1941
Inventory Number1997-1-0308
ClassificationTimer
Subject
Maker
Central Scientific Company
1889 - 2000
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions8.4 × 41 × 13 cm (3 5/16 × 16 1/8 × 5 1/8 in.)
Bibliography
DescriptionA black rectangular base, oriented horizontally. A nameplate can be found in the bottom right corner. A strip of off-white along the bottom left-hand edge of the base. The strip features six holes equally spaced out; between the holes are labels, each corresponding to two holes: "SPARK COIL", "6 VOLTS D. C.", "IMPULSE COUNTER". Three of these holes are filled with metal binding posts. Screwed into the middle of the base is a short upright T-shaped piece.
Behind the nameplate, the off-white strip, and the T-shaped piece, a long metallic strip runs from one end of the device to the other. Close to the strip's left end, a small dial or binding post is embedded in it. Between this dial and the left edge of the base, the strip forks.
The largest component of this device can be found behind the long metallic strip. The entire component is raised from the base by a rectangular metal component on the left side. Sitting on top of this matchbox-sized component, a set of five metal strips are screwed to one another. The two outside strips feature tiny binding posts where they terminate. The top outside strip is the shortest. All of the rest of the strips, save the middle one, are slightly longer that the top outside strip. The middle strip is quite a bit longer, running, like the metallic strip from the last paragraph, from one side of the base to the other.
Three components connect the middle of the middle strip to the T-shaped piece. These include two small spool-like cylinders and one threaded rod.
Behind the nameplate, the off-white strip, and the T-shaped piece, a long metallic strip runs from one end of the device to the other. Close to the strip's left end, a small dial or binding post is embedded in it. Between this dial and the left edge of the base, the strip forks.
The largest component of this device can be found behind the long metallic strip. The entire component is raised from the base by a rectangular metal component on the left side. Sitting on top of this matchbox-sized component, a set of five metal strips are screwed to one another. The two outside strips feature tiny binding posts where they terminate. The top outside strip is the shortest. All of the rest of the strips, save the middle one, are slightly longer that the top outside strip. The middle strip is quite a bit longer, running, like the metallic strip from the last paragraph, from one side of the base to the other.
Three components connect the middle of the middle strip to the T-shaped piece. These include two small spool-like cylinders and one threaded rod.
Signedon nameplate: CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC CO. / LABORATORY SUPPLIES / APPARATUS CHEMICALS / CHICAGO, U. S. A. / NEW YORK - BOSTON - TORONTO - LOS ANGELES
Panelvision Corporation
Date: 1984
Accessories: single-board display controller
cable for display (1997-1-0686c)
shipping ticket/ hand carry pass dated June 11, 1997 (in instrument file)
letter to Dr. Richard V. Kollarits from William Andrewes dated June 16, 1997 regarding donation of MiniGraphic display and letter to William Andrewes from Dr. Richard V. Kollarits that accompanied the object upon donation on June 11, 1997 (in instrument file)
four sample color prints made with this display on micro-encapsulated photographic paper. 1. man in business suit, 2. woman crouching next to lawn ornament, 3. two clowns painting a third's face, 4. woman in winter hat and scarf (in instrument file)
copies of two articles by AT&T Bell Laboratories staff (Richard V. Kollarits, William, H. Ninke, David C. Gibbon) on color imaging and printing (in instrument file)
Panelvision pamphlet introducing the MiniGraphic multipurpose flat panel display, including instrument specifications, consumer prices, functioning and features (in instrument file)
1984 article by Panelvision employees (Peter Brody Fang-Chen Luo, Paul Malmberg) on active matrix technology (in instrument file)
Panelvision Corporation Fact Sheet, including details of company history and recent developments (in instrument file)
article about commercial debut of active matrix technology from Design Engineering newspaper, June 18, 1984 (in instrument file)
full circuit diagram and schematic for MiniGraphic Display Controller (in instrument file)
instruction manual and description of MiniGraphic Display Controller (two copies, in instrument file)
circuit diagrams and instruction manuals for the MiniGraphic Display (two booklets, in instrument file)
Object number: 1997-1-0686a
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
George Erle Beggs
Date: early 20th-mid 20th Century
Accessories: 6 deformeter gauges;
22 plugs;
2 cylindrical plastic boxes containing screws and metal strips for fastening the ends of the structure;
metal stylus;
2 metal pins;
2 celluloid wedges;
1 rectangular celluloid piece with a wedge coming out of one end
Object number: 1999-1-0064
