high pressure apparatus components and samples
Dateca. 1915-1945
Inventory Number2008-1-0136
ClassificationHigh-Pressure Apparatus
Subject
Maker
Percy Williams Bridgman
?
1882 - 1961
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions35.9 × 8.7 × 12.8 cm (14 1/8 × 3 7/16 × 5 1/16 in.)
Material
Accessorieswooden test tube stand
DescriptionThirty-two cork-stoppered glass test tubes stored in a wooden block storage stand. The tubes contain washers, pistons, cylinders, and piezometers for use with high pressure apparatuses. The materials include steel, brass, and carboloy.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedeach tube contains a handwritten paper label regarding contents
Curatorial RemarksIt is very likely these objects were used by Percy Bridgman given the resemblance and proximity to known Bridgman objects.
FunctionThese objects were likely used in experiments with high pressure apparatuses. They may constitute spare parts for a high pressure press.
Historical AttributesPercy Bridgman's experimental work at Harvard University consisted mainly in the production of very high pressures and the investigation of the effects such pressures have on the properties of matter.
During the 1920s, most of Bridgman's experiments used high pressures between 12 000 and 20 000 atmospheres (12,000-20,000 kg/cm²). In order to produce such high pressures, Bridgman used a hydraulic press in conjunction with two pumps in order to produce the high pressures. See for example, 1997-1-1819a, b, c and d.
During the 1930s, Bridgman increased the pressure, reaching between 30 000 and 50 000 atmospheres using two and even three hand pumps.
Bridgman would put samples of various materials into a chamber of the press, raise the pressure inside the chamber, and then study the material samples or residues that remained afterward. He the effects of high pressures on the <i>specific resistance, temperature coefficients, volume, electrical conductivity, shearing strength, electrical resistance, density, tensile properties,</i> and <i>compression</i>. He studied these effects on all manner of substances from minerals, metals, and chemicals to plastics, glass and egg yolks. Bridgman hoped his experimental results would contribute to theories of the internal structure of atoms and molecules that were gaining attention throughout the first half of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1946 for his research.
Bridgman also did work on the synthesis of diamonds from graphite using very high pressures and temperatures. Early in 1941, the General Electric Company arranged a five year agreement with Bridgman to finance his experimental research in producing diamonds. Bridgman wanted to reverse a known process in which diamonds turn to graphite at atmospheric pressure and 1500°C. His experiments were conducted in the Harvard Geophysical Laboratory. However, Bridgman was ultimately unsuccessful in the synthesis of diamonds, and his continued research was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War.
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1920-1946
Accessories: wooden platform for samples
Object number: 1997-1-0769
![various pieces and samples from high pressure apparatus[?]](/internal/media/dispatcher/19928/postagestamp)
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: ca. 1920-1945
Object number: 2008-1-0138
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: ca. 1920-1945
Accessories: wooden storage tray
Object number: 2008-1-0130
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: circa 1940
Object number: 2002-1-0016
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: ca. 1915-1945
Accessories: wooden test tube stand
Object number: 2008-1-0135
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: ca. 1920-1945
Accessories: wooden storage tray
Object number: 2008-1-0131
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1924-1937
Accessories: wooden box
Object number: 2008-1-0140
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: circa 1938
Accessories: one bolt protector; one attachment; two large bolts, black and white photographs (C6-G1). Parts can be found in drawer B11-I8. Bridgman Press Manual (copy) in instrument file folder
Object number: 1997-1-1819a
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1928-1957
Accessories: two small rectangular cardboard boxes
three small round cardboard boxes
one large round cardboard box
Object number: 1999-1-0045b
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1928
Object number: 2008-1-0134
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1919
Accessories: wooden test tube holder
Object number: 1998-1-0060j