square wooden case for prism train
Date1860-1870
Inventory Number1996-1-0029a
ClassificationPrism Train
Subject
Maker
Alvan Clark and Sons
?
1846 - 1958
User
George Phillips Bond
1825 - 1865
User
Oak Ridge Station
1931 - 2005
User
George R. Agassiz Station, Harvard
1951 - 1982
User
Harvard College Observatory
founded 1839
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensionsbox: 10 x 25.2 x 25.2 cm (3 15/16 x 9 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriessquare wooden case with velvet cushioning
DescriptionSix equilateral prisms (ie., with angles of 60°) are joined into a train by hinges to each other. Each prism is also attached to a spoke with a slot. The spokes are stacked on an axle, which has teeth to meet with other teeth in the slot of prism number 5 (as counted from the top of the stack). The central axle terminates in a brass disk at the bottom and a knurled knob at its top. The knob and axle are bright brass, whereas other parts have a dark greenish lacquer. Turning the knob causes the prism chain to open or close.
The tops and bottoms of each prism are not polished. The length of a side is 5 cm.
The tops of the prisms are marked in pencil in a 19th century hand as follows:
Top / 1
Top / 2
Top / 3
Top / 4
Top / 5
Top / 6
The fitted box is made of wood, and is too big for the prism train.
The tops and bottoms of each prism are not polished. The length of a side is 5 cm.
The tops of the prisms are marked in pencil in a 19th century hand as follows:
Top / 1
Top / 2
Top / 3
Top / 4
Top / 5
Top / 6
The fitted box is made of wood, and is too big for the prism train.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedin black crayon on box front: PRISMS
in pencil on box lid: [Do not] / tilt
on paper taped to box lid: 10/17/72 / R. Reed, / Antique / Prisms for Spectrograph / HCO Property -- Was stored at Agassiz / Probably made under George Bond administration. / Should be given to D. Wheatland, H. U. / Curator of Historical + Scientific Instruments. / D. H. Menzel.
FunctionThis six-prism train for a direct-vision spectroscope was used to disperse light so that the user could better detect the spectral lines of elements composing the source of the light. This example was attached to the tailpiece of a telescope for astrophysical research. Similar devices could be used spectroscopic work in chemical laboratories.
ProvenanceHarvard College Observatory, Cambridge; transfer to Agassiz Station; courtesy of Donald H. Menzel, director of the Harvard College Observatory, transferred to CHSI, 1972.
Historical AttributesThis prism train is for a direct vision astronomical spectroscope used at the Harvard College Observatory. It was likely made under the George Bond administration. It was later moved to the Agassiz Station.
Alvan Clark and Sons
Date: 1860-1870
Accessories: square wooden case with velvet cushioning
Object number: 1996-1-0029
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1919
Accessories: oculars (2): 3, 8x; accessory box; Leitz objectives (5); wrenches (2); ground glass; N.A. 1.45 condensor cap; Abbe condensor; rotary stage; case
Object number: 1345
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
Benjamin Martin
Date: circa 1766
Accessories: rope cord belt
glass globe
conducting pad
in folder: photographs, page containing description, history, and discussion of design, note from Ebenezer Gay regarding conservation work, excerpt from David Pingree Wheatland and I. Bernard Cohen, A Catalogue of Some Early Scientific Instruments at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, 1949), woodcut with picture of instrument from B. Martin, Young Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy (1759): 139.
X-ray images of parts of the machine can be found in C1-A7.
Object number: 0013