water pump
Datecirca 1765
Inventory Number0023
ClassificationWater Pump
Subject
Maker
Benjamin Martin
1704 - 1782
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions51 x 43.5 x 23 cm (20 1/16 x 17 1/8 x 9 1/16 in.)
Material
Bibliography
DescriptionThe base of this machine is a chest supported by four bracket feet. The chest contains the liquid (most likely water) that was pumped out to extinguish fires. Two brass handles are fixed to it so it can be moved around. On top of the chest are two turned mahogany posts which support a similarly decorated mahogany arch.
The arch is held in place by two large brass finials and it supports brass arms ended by mahogany grips. These arms are used to put in motion the pistons of the two vertical single-acting brass pumps. When in action, the water is pumped into the central glass cylinder and when it is full, the water spurts through the brass nozzle on top of the instrument's arch.
The arch is held in place by two large brass finials and it supports brass arms ended by mahogany grips. These arms are used to put in motion the pistons of the two vertical single-acting brass pumps. When in action, the water is pumped into the central glass cylinder and when it is full, the water spurts through the brass nozzle on top of the instrument's arch.
In Collection(s)
Signedon central part of arm: B Martin London
FunctionWorking model of a water pump that demonstrates the mechanical and pneumatic principles that makes such a machine function properly.
ProvenanceJefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University; transferred to CHSI April 1948.
Historical AttributesAfter a devastating fire (on 24 January 1764) that destroyed Harvard Hall, and most of the collection of philosophical apparatus, it was unanimously decided that a water engine would be bought to protect the College property. The present instrument, Benjamin Martin's "Modell of the fire Engine Compleat" was acquired in 1765 and at the time cost £10.10.0. It was used to demonstrate the physical principle on which the Harvard water engine operated.
F. Sauerwald
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: cover and small rubber piece (b)
Object number: 1997-1-1799a
F. Sauerwald
Date: circa 1870
Object number: 1997-1-1799b
English
Date: circa 1775
Accessories: 5 objectives; 1 ocular; Lieberkühn; stage forceps; live box; bull's eye lens mounted on pillar; pyramidal box.
Object number: 1244
U.S. Electrical Supplies
Date: 1910-1920
Object number: 1997-1-0578
George Adams (I)
Date: circa 1766
Accessories: 6 ivory slides; 2 wooden slides
Object number: 1109
Claude-Siméon Passemant
Date: 1749-1769
Accessories: ocular; objectives (7); bull's eye condenser; Lieberkühn for stage mounting; cone diaphragm; spring frame for slides; frog plate; stage forceps; large and small black and white disks (2); round micrometer slide with fine wire screen; low-power lens; black aperture disk; brass slider for 4 specimens; ivory slides--rectangular (6); ivory slides--circular (2); brass slide with aperture to hold circular ivory slides; boxes (2) of round ivory slides (40 in total).
Object number: 1182
Sears, Roebuck & Company
Date: early 20th-mid 20th Century
Accessories: part of Demonstration Water Pump, SearsRoebuck and Co., 0332a
Object number: RS0332a
Baumann
Date: 1775-1800
Accessories: 6 objectives: 1-6; 1 eyepiece; 1 partial objective; a lieberkuhn in a brass box; 2 wooden sliders; 1 ivory slider; ivory box with cover slips and springs; 2 spring stages (slider holders); cup diaphragm; wheel diaphragm; frog plate; 2 live boxes; tweezers; steel tweezers with pin; magnifying glass; 2 ivory rings; horizontal box.
Object number: 1253