maximum thermometer
Date1890-1910
Inventory Number1998-1-1271a
ClassificationThermometer
Subject
Maker
Henry J. Green
fl. 1885 - 1910
User
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
1885-present
User
Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University
1890 - 1961
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions30.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 cm (11 7/8 x 7/8 x 9/16 in.)
box: 5.4 x 34.7 x 8 cm (2 1/8 x 13 11/16 x 3 1/8 in.)
box: 5.4 x 34.7 x 8 cm (2 1/8 x 13 11/16 x 3 1/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriescardboard box
DescriptionA thermometer consisting of a glass tube with a mercury capillary mounted on a metal plate. Both the thermometer and the plate have a scale with their values coinciding exactly, from -20 to 120. Although it is not stated, they are clearly Fahrenheit degrees.
Its mercury bulb seems to have been deliberately removed. It is stored in a white cardboard box together with 1998-1-1271b. On the cardboard box, handwritten: "Harvard Univ / Meteorology / Geology Museum / Rm 43"
Its mercury bulb seems to have been deliberately removed. It is stored in a white cardboard box together with 1998-1-1271b. On the cardboard box, handwritten: "Harvard Univ / Meteorology / Geology Museum / Rm 43"
Signedon metal plate: No 80798 HENRY J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y.
Inscribedon plate above thermometer: MAXIMUM
FunctionThis is a thermometer that is used to determine which was the highest temperature reached by the air in a certain interval of time.
The mercury in it has to pass through a very narrow capillary just above the bulb such that when the mercury is expanding, its pressure is enough for it to be forced through, but gravity alone is not for the mercury to fall back into the bulb. In order to reset it, one needs to shake it towards the bulb.
The mercury in it has to pass through a very narrow capillary just above the bulb such that when the mercury is expanding, its pressure is enough for it to be forced through, but gravity alone is not for the mercury to fall back into the bulb. In order to reset it, one needs to shake it towards the bulb.
ProvenanceThis is very likely from the Blue Hill Observatory; then used at Department of Geology and Geography, Harvard University (Geology museum).
Henry J. Green
Date: 1890-1910
Accessories: cardboard box
Object number: 1998-1-1271b
Henry J. Green
Date: 1885-1910
Object number: BH0042
Henry J. Green
Date: 1900-1910
Object number: 1998-1-1265
