du bois-Reymond-type inductorium
Datecirca 1893
Inventory NumberWJ0055
ClassificationInductorium
Subject
Maker
Rudolph Krüger
Inventor
Emil du Bois-Reymond
1818 - 1896
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions12.5 × 36 × 9.5 cm (4 15/16 × 14 3/16 × 3 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis instrument is made of two separate circuits, consisting of wires wound into coils. The smaller coil, known as the primary circuit, was fed by a battery linked to two binding posts.
Two solenoids arranged in series are used to put in vibration a metal plate that would have been attached to the screw device on the opposite side of the solenoids (missing). The vibration of the plate can be adjusted to a specific frequency, producing a pulsating current into the primary circuit. This current creates an electromagnetic field, which is transmitted by induction to the secondary coil. That coil generates a higher voltage than the current generated by the simple battery. The voltage amplitude is adjusted by sliding the secondary coil over the primary circuit.
The base is equipped with a millimeter scale so the same current can be reproduced again with the same intensity. The current thus generated is transmitted to electrodes for tissue stimulation.
Two solenoids arranged in series are used to put in vibration a metal plate that would have been attached to the screw device on the opposite side of the solenoids (missing). The vibration of the plate can be adjusted to a specific frequency, producing a pulsating current into the primary circuit. This current creates an electromagnetic field, which is transmitted by induction to the secondary coil. That coil generates a higher voltage than the current generated by the simple battery. The voltage amplitude is adjusted by sliding the secondary coil over the primary circuit.
The base is equipped with a millimeter scale so the same current can be reproduced again with the same intensity. The current thus generated is transmitted to electrodes for tissue stimulation.
Signedon label, under base: RUDOLPH KRÜGER / Mechaniker / BERLIN
Inscribedon base, sides: 913
FunctionThis type of instrument was developed by Emil Dubois-Reymond for electrophysiology studies. This is basically an electromagnetic device used for nerve and muscle stimulation.
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: "211. Induction coil. After Dubois-Reymond, by Krüger, Berlin. $30."
See online reproduction <a href="http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Munster/Lab/" target="_blank">here</a>.
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1863
Accessories: repeater (item 8000b)
Object number: 8000a
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: 1947-2002
Object number: 2003-1-0291
Ducretet et Lejeune
Date: 1892-1896
Object number: DW0089
