universal hydrometer
Datelate 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number1998-1-1012
ClassificationHydrometer
Subject
Maker
German
?
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions38.7 x 1.7 cm (15 1/4 x 11/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA hydrometer made of clear glass with a handwritten paper scale inside from 1 to 23 (Baumé scale?). The top of the hydrometer is a tube, while at the bottom of the hydrometer flares outwards into a cylindrical form at the bottom, then constricts into a narrower tube and ends in a bulb-shaped form half-filled with mercury.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedwritten on label in black ink: from Jerry Donaldson April 1971
Curatorial RemarksSimilar provenance sticker as 1998-1-0008 and 1998-1-0013.
FunctionFor determining the density of liquids. The hydrometer is let to float in the liquid, and the density reading is at the point where the surface of the liquid meets the scale.
This hydrometer appears to have a Baumé scale for liquids lighter than water. In that scale, 10 is the density of water, 0 corresponds to a 10% saline solution (per weight), and higher numbers are an extrapolation from those two points.
This hydrometer appears to have a Baumé scale for liquids lighter than water. In that scale, 10 is the density of water, 0 corresponds to a 10% saline solution (per weight), and higher numbers are an extrapolation from those two points.
ProvenanceHarvard University?
German
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Object number: 1998-1-1013
R. G. Greiner
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: black cylindrical cardboard case
Object number: DW0792
American
Date: 1870-1920
Object number: 1998-1-0293
Eastern Salt Company
Date: 1900-1920
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 1998-1-0297
German
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: cylindrical cardboard case with a pattern of brown and yellow flowers
Object number: DW0793
See also/See also
