meteorological thermometer (multiple scale prototype)
Datecirca 1900
Inventory Number1998-1-1268c
ClassificationThermometer
Subject
Maker
Henry J. Green
fl. 1885 - 1910
User
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
1885-present
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions1 x 27 x 4 cm (3/8 x 10 5/8 x 1 9/16 in.)
storage: 5 x 31 x 9 cm (1 15/16 x 12 3/16 x 3 9/16 in.)
storage: 5 x 31 x 9 cm (1 15/16 x 12 3/16 x 3 9/16 in.)
Material
Accessorieswrapped in cotton with two other thermometers
DescriptionA thermometer composed of a mercury-filled glass tube, with grading lines but without any numbers marked on the glass. It is fixed to a metal plate that originally had temperature values in the scales of Kk (Kelvin kilograde) and Kb (kilobars of vapor pressure in the air), identical to thermometer 1998-1-1268a. However, several semi-transparent film or plastic strips have been hung from a screw on top of each scale such that they cover the values engraved on the plate.
On the left there are two film strips with handwritten scales, one with temperatures in the Kelvin scale (values around 200-300) and the other (under the first) in the Celsius scale (values between -30 and 50).
On the right, there is a film strip with a handwritten scale similar to the one it covers but with values that are slightly shifted upwards. The original scale went from 1 to 110 while the new one only goes from 1 to 80. It is labelled by hand as either "Saturation mgram/cm3" or "Saturation in gram/c[ubic]m[eter]".
On the left there are two film strips with handwritten scales, one with temperatures in the Kelvin scale (values around 200-300) and the other (under the first) in the Celsius scale (values between -30 and 50).
On the right, there is a film strip with a handwritten scale similar to the one it covers but with values that are slightly shifted upwards. The original scale went from 1 to 110 while the new one only goes from 1 to 80. It is labelled by hand as either "Saturation mgram/cm3" or "Saturation in gram/c[ubic]m[eter]".
Signedon metal plate: HENRY J. GREEN / BKLYN, N.Y.
Inscribedunder signature: 38609
Curatorial RemarksPossibly with Alexander McAdie's first experimental multi-scale back.
FunctionThis is a thermometer for recording meteorologically relevant temperatures. It originally had scales that are rarely used outside of the field and which were pioneered at the Blue Hill Observatory. The thermometer has been enhanced with movable plastic or resin film strips that have other scales written on them such that they can be used instead of the original ones depending on the user's preferences.
The thermometer is likely an improvement of 1998-1-1268b, which in its turn was an improvement over 1998-1-1268a.
The original scale on the left is Kelvin kilogrades which has its zero at absolute zero and 1000 for the melting point of water at standard atmospheric pressure. This scale avoids negative temperatures and has smaller units (1Kk is about 1/2°F) making decimals less important.
The first superimposed plate on the left side is a temperature scale in Celsius degrees, and the second one is a temperature scale in Kelvins.
The scale on the right was originally in units of kilobars of vapor pressure in saturated air at that temperature, which is useful for estimating the potential amount of rain in the air. It is superimposed by a scale in grams of water per cubic meter of air, which is a more direct measure of the potential amount of rain in the air at a given temperature.
The thermometer is likely an improvement of 1998-1-1268b, which in its turn was an improvement over 1998-1-1268a.
The original scale on the left is Kelvin kilogrades which has its zero at absolute zero and 1000 for the melting point of water at standard atmospheric pressure. This scale avoids negative temperatures and has smaller units (1Kk is about 1/2°F) making decimals less important.
The first superimposed plate on the left side is a temperature scale in Celsius degrees, and the second one is a temperature scale in Kelvins.
The scale on the right was originally in units of kilobars of vapor pressure in saturated air at that temperature, which is useful for estimating the potential amount of rain in the air. It is superimposed by a scale in grams of water per cubic meter of air, which is a more direct measure of the potential amount of rain in the air at a given temperature.
ProvenanceAlthough it is not documented, this thermometer comes most likely from the Blue Hill Observatory.
Henry J. Green
Date: circa 1900
Accessories: wrapped in cotton with two other thermometers
Object number: 1998-1-1268b
Henry J. Green
Date: circa 1900
Accessories: wrapped in cotton with two other thermometers
Object number: 1998-1-1268a
Henry J. Green
Date: 1885-1910
Object number: 1998-1-1252
Taylor Instrument Companies
Date: circa 1920
Object number: DW0633
Henry J. Green
Date: 1885-1910
Object number: BH0042
Taylor Instrument Companies
Date: 1920-1930
Object number: 1998-1-1408
Henry J. Green
Date: 1900-1910
Object number: 1998-1-1265
Henry J. Green
Date: 1900-1910
Accessories: single thermometer back
Object number: 1998-1-1269
Negretti and Zambra
Date: 1900-1920
Object number: 1998-1-1263
Gerber Scientific Inc.
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: light brown leatherette box, with black velveteen lining and snap closure
Object number: 2003-1-0185
