wall chart, "No. III, HYDROSTATICS"
Datec.1872
Inventory Number2008-1-0308c
ClassificationChart
Subject
Maker
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
1839-circa 1931
User
Harvard University Department of Physics
founded 1726
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionsrolled-up width: 116 cm (45 11/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesrectangular and round wood stretchers
Lib. 1546 (QA905 .J64 1872x) "HAND BOOK TO SHEET NO. III. OF JOHNSTON'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPY, EXPLANATORY OF HYDROSTATICS"
DescriptionThis is a rolled wall chart with a rectangular wood stretcher at the top and round wood roller with only one wood knob at the bottom, 45.25" (116cm) wide, made of paper, fabric (linen?), varnish, and wood. Each chart, referred to in its own time as a "large wall map," was "colored and drawn in a clear, bold style so as to be seen by a large class," with the hope that each magnified figure would serve a role in general education by "enabling the teacher to appeal to that important auxiliary of natural knowledge--the eye--and thus rendering the study of science fresh and attractive to the young."
Each wall map was accompanied by a handbook that gave an explanation of each separate diagram within the chart, and served as a textbook for the pupil of natural knowledge. This chart represents hydrostatics, the science of fluids at rest, and it is a subfield of fluid mechnaics. Numerous beakers filled with fluid are depicted, including a communicating vessel and what might be an early hydraulic press at the bottom left, which generates a compressive force as a hydraulic equivalent of a mechnaical lever. These containers surround an image of a mountain filled with fluid, possibly water.
It is possible that these charts could sometimes be substitutes for actual experiments executed with these everyday materials, or perhaps they might have reminded the students of what they learned during real experiments, reinforcing their knowledge of the subject.
Each wall map was accompanied by a handbook that gave an explanation of each separate diagram within the chart, and served as a textbook for the pupil of natural knowledge. This chart represents hydrostatics, the science of fluids at rest, and it is a subfield of fluid mechnaics. Numerous beakers filled with fluid are depicted, including a communicating vessel and what might be an early hydraulic press at the bottom left, which generates a compressive force as a hydraulic equivalent of a mechnaical lever. These containers surround an image of a mountain filled with fluid, possibly water.
It is possible that these charts could sometimes be substitutes for actual experiments executed with these everyday materials, or perhaps they might have reminded the students of what they learned during real experiments, reinforcing their knowledge of the subject.
Signedat top of chart (right): Drawn, Engraved & Published by W. & A. K. Johnston, Edinburgh
at top of chart (left): Arranged by J. Fairbairne Esq Ho. Governor of George Heriott's Hospital
Inscribedhand-written in fading black next to trade label on back of chart: 1872, Dec. 20. / Farrar Fund
on wooden stretcher: NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD SERIES
on top of chart: JOHNSTON'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY/SHEET NO 5/HYDROSTATICS
FunctionThe wall chart is a member of a series of pedagogical charts designed to demonstrate various elements of natural philosophy. There are fifteen charts all together. The charts were designed for the British National School Board, but this specific set was used by the Physics Department at Harvard University. The CHSI has a set of seven.
This chart diagrammatically displays the principles of hydrostatics.
This chart diagrammatically displays the principles of hydrostatics.
Historical AttributesThe inscription "1872, Dec. 20. / Farrar Fund" on the back of the chart probably indicates that the chart was purchased with funds made available by -or in honor of- John Farrar. Farrar (1779 - 1853) was a professor of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics at Harvard Univeristy between 1807 - 1836.
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 2008-1-0308d
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 2008-1-0308a
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 2008-1-0308b
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 2008-1-0308e
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Lib.1545 (Qm23 .T87 1871) "HAND BOOK TO HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY" by William Turner, M.B., SHEET VI, Johnston's Illustrations of Natural Philosophy"
Object number: 2008-1-0308f
W & A. K. Johnston, Ltd.
Date: c. 1872
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 2008-1-0308g
John Cuthbertson
Date: 1770-1815
Accessories: brown storage box, descriptive tag, thin strip of paper in box with the inscription "lucernal microscope" in David P. Wheatland's handwriting (which refers to figs. 47-48 and 51 in this series), page from the book "Old Science and Medicine" with a photographic copy of the first print from this series, entitled "The Large Electric Machine at Haarlem."
Object number: 1998-1-1087
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
Établissement Géographique de Bruxelles
Date: 1830-1862
Object number: 1998-1-1445
Henri G. Galeotti
Date: 1830-1858
Object number: 1998-1-1450
W & R Chambers
Date: 1860-1900
Accessories: rectangular and round wood stretchers
Object number: 1998-1-1432a
