Hering-type simultaneous contrast apparatus
Datecirca 1891
Inventory NumberWJ0031
ClassificationContrast Apparatus
Subject
Attributed to
Rudolph Rothe
Inventor
Ewald Hering
1834 - 1918
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions42 x 50.5 x 27.5 cm (16 9/16 x 19 7/8 x 10 13/16 in.)
blue board box: 44.5 × 54.9 × 31.1 cm (17 1/2 × 21 5/8 × 12 1/4 in.)
blue board box: 44.5 × 54.9 × 31.1 cm (17 1/2 × 21 5/8 × 12 1/4 in.)
Material
Accessoriescolored glass plates (7); cards (2); prism
DescriptionThe base is rectangular and has been lacquered in black. On the left, a brass pillar supports a prism holder shaped like the number 8. It can be adjusted up and down, left and right. Only one prism is held (the other one missing). Below it, a straight needle that can be likewise adjusted and is used to separate the experimental space in two equal parts. That space on the base is bordered by thin pieces of wood. A drawer underneath the base holds the accessories.
The test subject would be above the apparatus, looking down at the test image through the prisms. It could be used for binocular or monocular experiments.
The test subject would be above the apparatus, looking down at the test image through the prisms. It could be used for binocular or monocular experiments.
Signedunsigned
FunctionTo study visual sensations of colors.
ProvenancePsychology Department, William James Hall, Harvard University.
Historical AttributesThis instrument is found in Hugo Münsterberg's 1893 <i>Psychological Laboratory of Harvard University</i> document. It is thus listed: "79. Simultaneous contrast apparatus, with two prisms for binocular or monocular investigation. After Hering, by Rothe, Prag. $10."
See online reproduction <a href="http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Munster/Lab/" target="_blank">here</a>.
Harvard's account book records a bill of $59.29 from Rother, paid on November 26, 1891.
Rudolph Rothe
Date: circa 1891
Accessories: glass colored inserts (8); needle
Object number: WJ0030
Rudolph Rothe
Date: circa 1893
Accessories: lenses and reflectors
Object number: WJ0033
American
Date: 1875-1900
Accessories: colored glass inserts (15); opaque paper
Object number: WJ0178
Zeiss-Aerotopograph
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: instrument is in original wood storage/carrying case. listed accessories: base plate, mirrors (2) and tubular holders (2), anchors (2), prism yoke, monocular adapter, lighting set with bulbs (3, one currently in lamp, its box in box of 2009-1-0002b), 2 monoculars (4 or 6 power) [6x24 (infinite) L or R Zeiss aerotopo logo), "fork"-shaped support (V rather), green filters (2) , dioptre lenses (2), strabismus-correcting lenses (2), photo holder, permanent magnets (8)
Object number: 2009-1-0002a
Carl Zeiss Jena
Date: circa 1926
Accessories: wooden box with two hook-and-eye latches to fasten front opening; in instrument file: instruction book (photocopy); Geissler tube labeled "H2"; carboard tube containing German thermometer C in stainless steel holder that screws into instrument; glass bottle with cork stopper labeled "Monobromnaphthalin, Germany nD=1 658"; small round cardboard box labeled "For Pulfrich Refractometer" containing one tubulure
Object number: 1996-1-0229
John Bleuler
Date: circa 1790
Accessories: wooden storage case
three ivory tiles fallen off the instrument
two original curatorial cards
Object number: DW0454
American
Date: circa 1914
Accessories: mounting plates and pads
Object number: 1998-1-1389
Sanborn Company
Date: circa 1940
Object number: RS0361a
Walter Balcke
Date: circa 1958
Accessories: in library folder (Lib 4927):
-twenty-one letters from Joseph L. Walsh, mathematics professor at Harvard University, to Walter Balcke, dated between 27 May 1957 and 24 January 1964 (letters thank Balcke for the many mathematical models he gifted to the Mathematics Department, praise his skill and ingenuity, many invite him to faculty and personal luncheons, and one letter provides an analytic solution to the "13-point problem" behind one of Balcke's models)
-three letters from Garret Birkhoff (then Chairman of the Harvard Mathematics Department) dated 3 March 1954, 4 January 1955, and 10 January 1955, each expressing gratitude (and in one case, an official department thank you) for the many mathematical models he gifted to the mathematics department
-photocopy of original envelope in which correspondence between mathematics department and Walter Balcke was stored (original was destroyed on 13 July 1997)
-photocopy of instructional card for object 1997-1-1671
- seven instructional cards that accompany the following Balcke models: Pascal's Theorem, Brianchon's Concurrent Lines, Trisector, Twelve Point Ellipse, Rolling Parabola, unknown, Equation Solution with a 'Constant' Variable and Thread
- photograph of the display case containing Balcke's models in the Harvard Mathematics department
Object number: 1997-1-1597