portable electrometer
Datecirca 1891
Inventory Number0178
ClassificationElectrometer
Subject
Maker
Elliott Brothers
1853 - 1916
User
Department of Physics, Harvard University
founded 1884
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions14 × 9 × 9 cm (5 1/2 × 3 9/16 × 3 9/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionElectrometer contains small aluminum plate with indicator and a charged plate above on a micrometer. Lead container for sulfuric acid suspended from the top. Contained in a cylindrical brass case with two glass windows and a circular viewing lens at the bottom. Top of case has three binding posts.
Signedon top of case: ELLIOTT BROs LONDON / No 96
FunctionElectrometers are designed to measure the amount of electric charge carried by an object. The parallel metal plates may form a condenser that allows the instrument to detect smaller amounts of charge.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Harvard University, 11/19/1956.
Elliott Brothers
Date: circa 1863
Accessories: wooden case; bill of sale and the dealer's tag, in the instrument's file
Object number: DW0489
