Cattell-type gravity timer
Datecirca 1895
Inventory NumberWJ0047
ClassificationTimer
Subject
Maker
American
?
Inventor
James M. Cattell
1860 - 1944
Cultural Region
Dimensions49.6 × 39.7 × 24.1 cm (19 1/2 × 15 5/8 × 9 1/2 in.)
Material
Accessoriesbroken connectors (2)
DescriptionThe rectangular base has three leveling screws. A tall vertical brass structure fixed to the base holds in its center a rectangular weight moving up and down. A coil and connectors on top of the structure are used as a starting mechanism.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
FunctionThe gravity timer, invented by James McKeen Cattell in 1886, was used to generate constant period of times by letting a mass fall through a pre-determined distance. Like the control hammer apparatus, this instrument was helpful in calibrating the Hipp chronoscope.
ProvenancePsychology Department, William James Hall, Harvard University.
French
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: protecting case with glass window
Object number: DW0095
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation
Date: 1920-1930
Accessories: shunt attached by hooks to electrical connectors on top
Object number: 1997-1-1039
E. Zimmermann
Date: 1890-1910
Accessories: weights, crank, extra tuning fork
Object number: WJ0105
RadioEar
Accessories: 1 discoidal receiver. Metal headband with rectangular reciever and rectangular 2-pronged plug. 2 Thin twisted cord with cylindrical 2-pronged plug at on end, the other end is split with 2 electrical connectors. Thick twisted cord with cylindrical socket at on end, the other end is split with 2 electrical connectors. Thick twisted cord with rectangular 4-pronged plug at one end 5-pronged stylized plug at the other, and 2 electrical connectors.
Object number: WJ0505
French
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: 2 bulbs
2 connectors
1 spark rod
Object number: DW0179b
Sonotone
Accessories: Black metal headband with rectangular receiver at one end and padded disc at the other. 3 discoidal and 1 rectangular recievers. 1 thin twisted cord with cylindrical 2-pronged plug at one end and discoidal receiver at the other end. 1 thin twisted cord with rectangular receiver at one end and 2 electrical connectors at the other. Thin twisted cord with cylindrical 2-pronged plug at one end and 2 electrical connectors at the other. 2 small screws.
Object number: WJ0509
Andreas Koehler
Date: circa 1980
Accessories: large copper template (3), large circuit board (3), black metal frame (3), metal connectors, Texas Nuclear booklet, catalog sheets from RIDL, a plastic 12-inch ruler
Object number: 2003-1-0269
Andreas Koehler
Date: circa 1980
Accessories: large copper template (3), large circuit board (3), black metal frame (3), metal connectors, Texas Nuclear booklet, catalog sheets from RIDL, a plastic 12-inch ruler
Object number: 2003-1-0269b