Fresnel apparatus
Date1840-1850
Inventory Number1998-1-1236
ClassificationPrism
Subject
Maker
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
1798 - 1878
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions41.3 × 10 × 9.8 cm (16 1/4 × 3 15/16 × 3 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis instrument is made of a Nicol prism mounted within a brass structure to which is attached a blackened brass diaphragm. On top is screw to which the handle is missing. It serves as a press to pressure on a piece of glass. The chamber sits atop a telescoping brass stand. An eyepiece was most likely attached to the structure (missing here).
The base has the letter "o" in white paint, meaning it was originally used at Radcliffe College. It also bears an old Harvard inventory number: "9 119".
The base has the letter "o" in white paint, meaning it was originally used at Radcliffe College. It also bears an old Harvard inventory number: "9 119".
Signedon side: SOLEIL / Rue de l'Odéon / à Paris
FunctionThis instrument was used to show the double refraction of glass that had been unequally compressed. The pressure came from the screw press on top of the chamber.
For a slightly later example from the Duboscq firm, successor to Soleil, see the following website.
For a slightly later example from the Duboscq firm, successor to Soleil, see the following website.
ProvenanceFrom Radcliffe College.
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: circa 1840
Object number: 1997-1-1555
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1998-1-1228
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1998-1-1227
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1860
Accessories: carrying case; objective; double refraction ocular; substage polarizer; rotating stage plate; horizontal case; stage forceps; oculars (2)
Object number: 1215
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1998-1-1237
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1860
Object number: 2007-1-0431
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1998-1-1238
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1997-1-1581