wave drawing machine
Date1870-1900
Inventory Number1996-1-0393
ClassificationWave demonstration device
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions82 × 61.5 × 25 cm (32 5/16 × 24 3/16 × 9 13/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe drawing machine is mounted on a rectangular wooden base platform. A rectangular post with a rounded top rises from the center of the base plate. Near the bottom of the back side of the post is a brass disc with two brass posts emerging from opposite points on the circumference and a white plastic attachment in the center. Near the center of the back side of the post is a rectangular brass plate with a round brass disc at each end and two brass spools in the center. A long, flat leather tape is hung over one of the brass spools. Near the top of the back side of the post is a round wooden disc, attached by a central brass axle. "30" is stamped in gold paint on the wooden disc.
The brass axle of the wooden disc extends through the wooden post and acts as the axle for another, off-white disc on the front side of the post. The disc is divided into sixteen equally sized wedges by eight diameter lines. The wedges are marked with hand-written fractions, now mostly illegible. Above the disc, there are two round metal bars, each attached near one edge of the main wooden pole. They extend downward to the middle of the pole, where they bend around to support a horizontal wooden arm. This arm is at the same level as the brass spools on the other side of the pole. There is another round metal bar extending from the center of the off-white disc and extending downward where it is attached to a second wooden arm that is perpendicular to the first and to the main wooden pole. A third, round metal bar is attached near the top of the main wooden pole and extends downward, through both wooden arms, nearly to the wooden base platform.
At the end of this bar is an attachment for a writing implement. There is a hole with a side adjustment screw for attaching and removing writing implements. The drawing machine operates the writing implement according to the transfer of motion through the metal bars and wooden arms. The writing implement moves across a sheet of paper fixed to the machine. There is a large, rectangular wooden panel fixed to the main wooden pole and on top of the base plate. This panel supports the demonstration paper. There is a brass sleeve on either side of the panel to hold a sheet of paper in place.
The brass axle of the wooden disc extends through the wooden post and acts as the axle for another, off-white disc on the front side of the post. The disc is divided into sixteen equally sized wedges by eight diameter lines. The wedges are marked with hand-written fractions, now mostly illegible. Above the disc, there are two round metal bars, each attached near one edge of the main wooden pole. They extend downward to the middle of the pole, where they bend around to support a horizontal wooden arm. This arm is at the same level as the brass spools on the other side of the pole. There is another round metal bar extending from the center of the off-white disc and extending downward where it is attached to a second wooden arm that is perpendicular to the first and to the main wooden pole. A third, round metal bar is attached near the top of the main wooden pole and extends downward, through both wooden arms, nearly to the wooden base platform.
At the end of this bar is an attachment for a writing implement. There is a hole with a side adjustment screw for attaching and removing writing implements. The drawing machine operates the writing implement according to the transfer of motion through the metal bars and wooden arms. The writing implement moves across a sheet of paper fixed to the machine. There is a large, rectangular wooden panel fixed to the main wooden pole and on top of the base plate. This panel supports the demonstration paper. There is a brass sleeve on either side of the panel to hold a sheet of paper in place.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
Inscribedstamped in gold letters on instrument wheel: 30
FunctionThe machine transfers mechanical motion to a drawing implement that will write various wave diagrams on an attached sheet of paper. The precise operation of the apparatus is unknown, but it was likely used to draw sine waves.
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
Adrien Gavard
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: hinged mahogany case with original trade label; extra arm; writing implements; instrument weights; small ivory wheels with brass frames
Object number: 1997-1-1856
Charles Thurber
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: wooden framed, glass paned case; original and photocopied letter from the Massachusetts Historical Society Director, Stephen T. Riley to David P. Wheatland dated June 28, 1961regarding permanent loan of the pantograph (in instrument file); original and photocopied hand-written letter from David P. Wheatland to Stephen T. Riley regarding permanent loan of the pantorgraph dated March 16, 1962 (in instrument file); original and photocopied hand written letter from David P. Wheatland to Stephen T. Riley regarding the pantograph dated June 23 1961 (in instrument file)
Object number: 1998-1-1617
Adix Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: imitation leather covered, velvet and satin lined case
Object number: DW0325
Walter Balcke
Date: 1952-1964
Accessories: mahogany box; cardboard instruction card
Object number: 1997-1-1601
Elliott Brothers
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: original mahogany storage case
trade card from William D. Hocker, Inc
two original curatorial cards
Object number: DW0518