recording hygrometer
Date1882-1891
Inventory Number1996-1-0236
ClassificationHygrograph
Subject
Maker
Richard Frères
1882 - 1891
User
George R. Agassiz Station, Harvard
1951 - 1982
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions18.2 × 29.5 × 20.8 cm (7 3/16 × 11 5/8 × 8 3/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesbrass key
DescriptionA rotating brass cylinder holds recording paper; a movable stylus is in contact with the cylinder at one end and bracket holding several hairs at the other end. Recording graph paper on the cylinder is marked in units of days, hours and percent humidity. An overall hinged cover to protect cylinder and stylus swings back to allow access.
The case has a glass viewing window on the side, allowing a view of the cylinder and stylus, and a metal handle on top. The case can be secured in the closed position with two peg and hook closures on the end of the base, opposite the hinge. The whole assembly is mounted on a metal four-footed base. The instrument is painted metal, chipped and weathered.
There is a brass key.
The case has a glass viewing window on the side, allowing a view of the cylinder and stylus, and a metal handle on top. The case can be secured in the closed position with two peg and hook closures on the end of the base, opposite the hinge. The whole assembly is mounted on a metal four-footed base. The instrument is painted metal, chipped and weathered.
There is a brass key.
Signedplaque: HYGROMÈTRE ENREGISTREUR / BREVETÉ S.G.D.G. / RICHARD FRÈRES / CONSTRUCTEURS / 8 Impasse Fessart, 8 / PARIS
Inscribedplaque: HYGROMÈTRE ENREGISTREUR / BREVETÉ S.G.D.G. / RICHARD FRÈRES / CONSTRUCTEURS / 8 Impasse Fessart, 8 / PARIS
FunctionAn instrument for recording variations of the humidity of the atmosphere. The stylus responds to the change of length of the hairs, which varies with atmospheric humidity.
ProvenanceFrom Agassiz Station, Harvard, Massachusetts.
Julien P. Friez & Sons
Date: circa 1920
Accessories: hair recording hygrometer
Object number: DW0639
Alexander G. McAdie
Date: early 20th Century
Object number: 1998-1-0856
Sterling P. Fergusson
Date: date 1888
Accessories: Instruction pamphlet
Object number: 1996-1-0088
Department of Chemistry, Harvard University
Date: 1910-1940
Accessories: 4 metal collars on string inside upper part of case. No key and lock removed sometime in the past
Object number: 1998-1-0286
Richard Frères
Date: circa 1886
Accessories: detachable top funnel (1996-1-0144b); wind screen (1996-1-0184)
Object number: 1996-1-0144a
Richard Frères
Date: circa 1886
Accessories: detachable top funnel (1996-1-0144b); wind screen (1996-1-0184)
Object number: 1996-1-0144b
