vacuum flask
Datelate 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number1997-1-1256
ClassificationGlassware
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions6.7 x 2.9 x 2.9 cm (2 5/8 x 1 1/8 x 1 1/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis is thick-walled glass flask that is curved at the bottom and open at the top. Its open end is very flat and smooth.
It is slightly scratched.
It is slightly scratched.
Signedunsigned
FunctionFlasks with flat and smooth openings are usually meant to be attached to a vacuum pump.
American
Date: 1850-1900
Accessories: glass flask (1996-1-0392b)
Object number: 1996-1-0392a
American
Date: mid 19th-early 20th Century
Accessories: ground connection tubing
Object number: 1998-1-0766
American
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Accessories: metal lid
Object number: 1998-1-0844
Walter Balcke
Date: 1953
Accessories: mahogany box; cardboard instruction card;
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)
- one letter from J.L. Walsh directly related to this object, the "modified slide rule", dated February 11, 1953
-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: 1997-1-1609