Von Nardroff-type projecting color mixer
Datecirca 1900
Inventory NumberWJ0096
ClassificationColor Mixer
Subject
Maker
Central Scientific Company
1889 - 2000
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions31.5 × 19.6 × 24.5 cm (12 3/8 × 7 11/16 × 9 5/8 in.)
Material
Bibliography
DescriptionThe instrument is supported by an adjustable rod fixed to a tripod, one foot being equipped with a leveling screw. Two vertical panels are perforated with three holes. On one side, a wheel perforated with three identical holes rotates to vary the amount of light projected on the other panel. The second panel has red, green and blue color filters, and each of the hole is equipped with a shutter. On the other side of that same panel, three lenses slide in and out from in front of the holes. The light most likely came from a lantern.
Signedon plate: CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC CO.
FunctionThis apparatus can create primary and secondary colors, and their combination with three filters (red, green, blue). It would have been put in front of a powerful light projector. What one would see on a wall is three overlapping circles of color. The intensity of each color beam is adjustable by varying the aperture in front of each color, thus creating in the intersections secondary colors.
ProvenancePsychology Department, William James Hall, Harvard University.
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
Date: 1900-1920
Object number: 1996-1-0603
Ralph Gerbrands Company
Date: circa 1930
Accessories: Motor Operating Instructions on tag wired to cord. Photocopy placed in file.
Object number: WJ1138
Date: 1890-1930
Object number: RS1425a
Fabre et Cie
Date: circa 1856
Object number: 5470
Fabre et Cie
Date: circa 1856
Object number: 5469