Luft model 77 electromechanical controller
Datecirca 1964
Inventory Number1996-1-0453
ClassificationController Box
Subject
Maker
Luft Instruments, Inc.
1963 - 1997
Associate Name
Ludwig Luft
born 1926
User
Raymond Siever
1923 - 2004
User
Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University
1890 - 1961
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionswithout cord: 19.2 × 34.7 × 24 cm (7 9/16 × 13 11/16 × 9 7/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesadapter
DescriptionA powder blue rectangular box with an embedded gray faceplate on one side with various dials, switches and buttons. Halfway up the right side of the faceplate is a metal toggle switch allowing the user to control whether or not the apparatus is 'ON'. Beside this are stacked three square plastic buttons: the top, green, the middle, yellow, and the bottom, red. The user wrote to the left of each button in orange: next to the top, "ON", next to the middle, "High", and next to the bottom, "Low".
To the left of the user's writing is another metal toggle switch, allowing the user to choose between the "START" and the "STOP" settings. To the left of this switch, at the horizontal middle of the faceplate, are a switch labeled "DELAY" and a dial labeled "SECONDS". The metal toggle switch, on top, allows the user to choose between "ZERO" and "TIMED" delays. A tiny infinity sign can be found to the right of the switch. The dial underneath the switch is a ribbed metal cylinder with a trapezoidal indicator; the dial can be turned all the way around, allowing the user to choose any number of seconds between 0 and 60, with 15, 30, and 45 demarcated.
To the left of the delay dial and switch is the dial marked "MODE". The pointer, in its default setting, points to two parallel lines. On either side of the lines is an arrow pointing clockwise. To the left of the mode dial are two additional dials: one labeled "SET A" and one labeled "SET B". The user has inscribed, next to the Set B dial the word "LOW". These two dials do not feature trapezoidal indicators, but rather tiny circles (one green, one yellow) on the face of the dial.
Spaced equally apart along the bottom of the faceplate are three tiny Phillips-head screws. Above those is the maker's signature. Running out of the back of the object is a black power cable, ending in a 3-prong grounded power connector. There is also an adapter with a 'pigtail' ground, for use when grounded outlets were not available.
To the left of the user's writing is another metal toggle switch, allowing the user to choose between the "START" and the "STOP" settings. To the left of this switch, at the horizontal middle of the faceplate, are a switch labeled "DELAY" and a dial labeled "SECONDS". The metal toggle switch, on top, allows the user to choose between "ZERO" and "TIMED" delays. A tiny infinity sign can be found to the right of the switch. The dial underneath the switch is a ribbed metal cylinder with a trapezoidal indicator; the dial can be turned all the way around, allowing the user to choose any number of seconds between 0 and 60, with 15, 30, and 45 demarcated.
To the left of the delay dial and switch is the dial marked "MODE". The pointer, in its default setting, points to two parallel lines. On either side of the lines is an arrow pointing clockwise. To the left of the mode dial are two additional dials: one labeled "SET A" and one labeled "SET B". The user has inscribed, next to the Set B dial the word "LOW". These two dials do not feature trapezoidal indicators, but rather tiny circles (one green, one yellow) on the face of the dial.
Spaced equally apart along the bottom of the faceplate are three tiny Phillips-head screws. Above those is the maker's signature. Running out of the back of the object is a black power cable, ending in a 3-prong grounded power connector. There is also an adapter with a 'pigtail' ground, for use when grounded outlets were not available.
Signedon faceplate, center bottom: LUFT INSTRUMENTS, INC. LINCOLN, MASS.
on faceplate: CONTROLLER / 77
Curatorial RemarksThe instruction manual can be found in the instrument's file in the CHSI library.
FunctionAccording to its manual, this instrument can potentially be used as a "continuous controller" toward a number of ends, including titration, distillation, weighing, pH stating, vacuum control, and cryogenic temperature control. The manual makes a point to note, "Please remember that the application of the '77' is limited only by your imagination."
ProvenanceBelonged to Ray Siever, Professor of Geology in Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University.
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: 1947-2002
Object number: 2003-1-0291
Leeds & Northrup Company
Date: circa 1940
Accessories: lid
Object number: 1997-1-0373
Polaroid Corporation
Date: 2000-2001
Accessories: data cable
Object number: 2009-1-0036
Sanborn Company
Date: 1930-1945
Accessories: leather cover; cloth cover; thin red wire
Object number: 1996-1-0278