CHSI geiger counter
Date2018
Inventory Number0002-3-2018
ClassificationSign
Subject
Maker
Kenneth Joseph Launie
born 1954
Maker
Reeves Instrument Corporation
c.1944 - 1967?
Maker
AMSCO Products, Inc.
1923 - circa 1930
Maker
Sylvania
1924-present
Donor
Sara Jane Schechner
Donor
Martha Richardson
Donor
Samantha van Gerbig
Owner
Jean-François Gauvin
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions29.8 × 31.8 × 17.8 cm (11 3/4 × 12 1/2 × 7 in.)
Material
Accessoriesgeiger counter probe; fake white bird used in B.F. Skinner exhibit
Credit LineDear J-F,
Thank you for your leadership and guidance. Your role in rescuing Oak Ridge's heritage will be long appreciated.
Ken Launie
DescriptionThis artistic sign was made from deaccessioned, cast-off, and duplicate scientific apparatus and plain old junk provided by CHSI staff for the purpose of making a parting gift for Jean-François Gauvin in February 2018.
The base is a REAC geiger counter with nixie tube counters, ca. 1950s. The electrical plug is a replacement, so that the instrument can be safely plugged in to watch the lights flash. The radiation probe is included with the counter, but is presently not connected.
The CHSI sign sits on an aluminum bar attached to the upper housing of the geiger counter by means of nylon thumb screws. It is easily removable and can be displayed on its own.
The "C" is a brass divided circle, removed from a reproduction stand supporting an authentic Troughton & Simms transit of the 1840s (which is part of the personal collection of Donald Saff and recently restored by Ken Launie). The divided circle was likely made in India in the 20th century.
The "H" is fashioned from four things:
(1) an AMSCO variable capacitor that served as a tuner in a 1920s radio. It came from the famous "Green Boxes" in FAE. It is aluminum with a brass rotor and stator.
(2) an RCA vacuum tube marked "ELECTRON TUBE," manufactured in 1939.
(3) a Sylvania radio tube, type 12SK7.
(4) a slice of phenolic insulating material from an early 20th century electrical apparatus, marked "RECEIVER."
The "S" consists of two black plastic pulleys, sliced and offset.
The "I" is a plate of brass into which are inserted three microscope eyepieces. One is by Bausch & Lomb. The others are unsigned. Two are wide field.
The base is a REAC geiger counter with nixie tube counters, ca. 1950s. The electrical plug is a replacement, so that the instrument can be safely plugged in to watch the lights flash. The radiation probe is included with the counter, but is presently not connected.
The CHSI sign sits on an aluminum bar attached to the upper housing of the geiger counter by means of nylon thumb screws. It is easily removable and can be displayed on its own.
The "C" is a brass divided circle, removed from a reproduction stand supporting an authentic Troughton & Simms transit of the 1840s (which is part of the personal collection of Donald Saff and recently restored by Ken Launie). The divided circle was likely made in India in the 20th century.
The "H" is fashioned from four things:
(1) an AMSCO variable capacitor that served as a tuner in a 1920s radio. It came from the famous "Green Boxes" in FAE. It is aluminum with a brass rotor and stator.
(2) an RCA vacuum tube marked "ELECTRON TUBE," manufactured in 1939.
(3) a Sylvania radio tube, type 12SK7.
(4) a slice of phenolic insulating material from an early 20th century electrical apparatus, marked "RECEIVER."
The "S" consists of two black plastic pulleys, sliced and offset.
The "I" is a plate of brass into which are inserted three microscope eyepieces. One is by Bausch & Lomb. The others are unsigned. Two are wide field.
Signedprinted on front panel of geiger counter: REAC / LYNBROOK, N.Y. / MODEL E110
plate on back panel of geiger counter: DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED / EXCLUSIVELY FOR REAC / BY OXFORD ENGINEERING CORP. / WELLESLEY HILLS, MASS.
divided circle: unsigned
variable capacitor: AMSCO / PRODUCTS [in diamond logo] / S L F / MADE IN U.S.A.
on electron vacuum tube: RCA / ELECTRON TUBE / MADE IN / U.S.A. / 6-39
on vacuum tube: SYLVANIA / MADE IN U.S.A
on vacuum tube: S [in triangle logo with electric bolts]
pulleys: unsigned
microscope eyepiece: BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. ROCHESTER N.Y.
Inscribedprinted on back panel of geiger counter: MODEL E110 / SERIAL 257 / 105-125 V. / 60 CYCLES
on top of Sylvania vacuum tube: 12SK7 / GT / C1B
Curatorial RemarksDear Jean-Francois,
We will miss your creativity, good management, and support for research at CHSI. Good luck in your new position!
Warm regards, Sara Schechner
FunctionTo amuse and have fond memories of working with CHSI for the last seven years.
ProvenanceGift of the CHSI Staff to Jean-Francois Gauvin, 3/1/2018.
Historical AttributesToward the end of the last century a newly minted scholar wrote a book on historical instruments which condemed him to work with a Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments.
This Scholar exceed all expectations and brought this Collection into the next century screaming and kicking and to a better place. Thank you Professor for your kind and gentle guidence as the Captain of this ship ... you have done an Admiral job. Thank you from the inner Tube.
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: n.d.
Accessories: eyepiece cap; frog plate; hoder only for stage forceps; scalpel; steel needle; tool holders (2)
Object number: 1280
Damon Engineering, Inc.
Date: 1962-1972
Object number: 2006-1-0085
Accessories: tapered mahogany case with brass hooks and hinges, and felt protectors; dumpy level foot plate; dumpy level in mahogany case with tripod mount, additional eyepiece, magnifier, and adjustable mirror
Object number: 5208b
William Wyon
Date: dated 1851
Accessories: dark brown leather case with two small bronze hook fastenings and royal blue velvet lining
Object number: 1998-1-1362
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: objectives (4): A, C, F, and DD; 1 ocular: 5; small-parts box with ocular micrometer case; key; Abbe drawing camera in separate box (1125c); box to hold objectives; standing case.
Object number: 1125
Contina AG
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: instruction booklet; "Mathematical Handbooks" (2); copies of invoice (2); photocopy of the envelope in which David Wheatland acquired the materials (the original was destroyed in 1997)
Object number: 1990-5-0025
Date: 1890-1930
Object number: RS0470
Kenneth T. Bainbridge
Accessories: key to open the can is taped to the top.
Object number: 2004-1-0421