Measuring & Mapping

Where, how far, and how much? People have invented an astonishing array of devices to answer seemingly simple questions like these. Measuring and mapping objects in the Museum's collections include the instruments of the famous—Thomas Jefferson's thermometer and a pocket compass used by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition across the American West. A timing device was part of the pioneering motion studies of Eadweard Muybridge in the late 1800s. Time measurement is represented in clocks from simple sundials to precise chronometers for mapping, surveying, and finding longitude. Everyday objects tell part of the story, too, from tape measures and electrical meters to more than 300 scales to measure food and drink. Maps of many kinds fill out the collections, from railroad surveys to star charts.

This instrument consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on an aluminum frame that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 147 SIGNAL CORPS. U.S. ARMY" and equipped with a wooden handle.
Description
This instrument consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on an aluminum frame that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 147 SIGNAL CORPS. U.S. ARMY" and equipped with a wooden handle. Each thermometer has a milk white back and a clear front that is graduated every degree Fahrenheit. On one the scale runs from -40 to +137; on the other, it runs from -38 to +122. This was made between 1890 (when Green moved his business to Brooklyn) and 1923 (when the instrument came to the Smithsonian).
Ref: Henry J. Green, (Brooklyn, about 1890), p.31.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1923
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.308200.2
accession number
70852
catalog number
308200.2
Here, a wooden box with a split lid opens to reveal two mercury-in-glass thermometers, each on its own metal plate. The plate holding the wet bulb thermometer is marked "H.J. GREEN B'KLYN, N.Y." and "No. 4137 U.S.
Description
Here, a wooden box with a split lid opens to reveal two mercury-in-glass thermometers, each on its own metal plate. The plate holding the wet bulb thermometer is marked "H.J. GREEN B'KLYN, N.Y." and "No. 4137 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU." The plate holding the dry bulb thermometer (the bulb is broken) is marked " H.J. GREEN B'KLYN, N.Y." and "No. 4135 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU." On the base of the box is a paper card that reads "DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WEATHER BUREAU Correction Ca. . .ercurial Thermometer."
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317477
accession number
230396
catalog number
317477
Spirit-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer mounted on a heavy flat plate marked "HENRY J. GREEN NEW YORK" and "1868." A white porcelain strip on the plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -75 to +90. The stem is marked "No. 1868 Signal Service U.S.
Description
Spirit-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer mounted on a heavy flat plate marked "HENRY J. GREEN NEW YORK" and "1868." A white porcelain strip on the plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -75 to +90. The stem is marked "No. 1868 Signal Service U.S. Army" and graduated (but not numbered) every degree Fahrenheit from -82 to +98. It was made between 1885 and 1890 when Henry J. Green was in business on his own in New York.
John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 23.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317463
accession number
230396
catalog number
317463
Mercury-in-glass thermometer designed so that an air bubble separates a small bit of mercury from the main part of the column. When the temperature falls, the detached mercury remains in place indicating the maximum temperature attained, until reset by the observer.
Description
Mercury-in-glass thermometer designed so that an air bubble separates a small bit of mercury from the main part of the column. When the temperature falls, the detached mercury remains in place indicating the maximum temperature attained, until reset by the observer. John Phillips, an English geologist, introduced the form at the 1832 meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1856 he showed an improved form made by Louis P. Casella of London.
Appleton's Encyclopaedia noted in 1860 that James Green of New York "appears to have removed the objections to the previous forms of the maximum thermometers, and produced a highly simple and perfect instrument." Henry J. Green, who was James Green's nephew and successor, also made instruments of this sort. This example has a grooved aluminum plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "No. 12701 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MAXIMUM" and is graduated every 5 degrees Centigrade [?] from -25 to +55 degrees. The bulb is spherical. The stem is marked "U.S. 12701" and graduated every degree from -29 to +57.
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 22.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317474
accession number
230396
catalog number
317474
Spirit-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer mounted on a heavy metal plate marked "HENRY J. GREEN NEW YORK" and "1924." A white porcelain strip on the plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -85 to +75. The stem is graduated every degree F. from -90 to +110.
Description
Spirit-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer mounted on a heavy metal plate marked "HENRY J. GREEN NEW YORK" and "1924." A white porcelain strip on the plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -85 to +75. The stem is graduated every degree F. from -90 to +110. It was made between 1885 and 1890 when Henry J. Green was in business on his own in New York.
John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 23.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317464
accession number
230396
catalog number
317464
Alcohol-in-glass, Rutherford-type thermometer. Its silvered brass plate is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -90 to +110.
Description
Alcohol-in-glass, Rutherford-type thermometer. Its silvered brass plate is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -90 to +110. The stem has similar graduations.
John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317459
accession number
230396
catalog number
317459
Alcohol-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer mounted on a grooved metal plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN, N.Y." and "No. 8727 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every 5 degrees F. from -30 to +110.
Description
Alcohol-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer mounted on a grooved metal plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN, N.Y." and "No. 8727 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every 5 degrees F. from -30 to +110. The stem is graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -39 to +110.
John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 23.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1960
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317462
accession number
230396
catalog number
317462
Mercury-in-glass thermometer mounted on a grooved metal plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 11065 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and graduated every five degrees Fahrenheit from -25 to +115. The stem is marked "11065" and graduated every degree F.
Description
Mercury-in-glass thermometer mounted on a grooved metal plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 11065 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and graduated every five degrees Fahrenheit from -25 to +115. The stem is marked "11065" and graduated every degree F. from -25 to +120.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.317455
accession number
230396
catalog number
317455
This thermometer is so designed that an air bubble separates a small amount of mercury from the main part of the column.
Description
This thermometer is so designed that an air bubble separates a small amount of mercury from the main part of the column. When the instrument is mounted horizontally, the detached mercury remains in place when the rest of the column falls, thereby indicating the maximum temperature. John Phillips, an English geologist, introduced the form at the 1832 meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1856 he showed an improved form made by Louis P. Casella of London.
Appleton's Encyclopaedia noted in 1860 that James Green of New York "appears to have removed the objections to the previous forms of the maximum thermometers, and produced a highly simple and perfect instrument." Henry J. Green, who was James Green's nephew and successor, also made instruments of this sort. This example has a grooved aluminum plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "NO. 9746 U. S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MAXIMUM." The plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -20 to +125. The bulb is spherical. The stem is marked "U.S. 9746" and is graduated every degree F. from -22 to +126. It was made between 1890 (when H. J. Green moved his business to Brooklyn) and 1904 (when it came to the Smithsonian).
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 22.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.230005
catalog number
230005
accession number
42625
This alcohol-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer is mounted on a silvered brass plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "NO. 7390 U. S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -35 to +105. The stem is graduated every degree F.
Description
This alcohol-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer is mounted on a silvered brass plate that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "NO. 7390 U. S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -35 to +105. The stem is graduated every degree F. from -39 to +117. The thermometer was made between 1890 (when H. J. Green moved his business to Brooklyn) and 1904 (when it came to the Smithsonian).
John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
Ref: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 23.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.230006
catalog number
230006
accession number
42625
This alcohol-in-glass thermometer is 12 inches long. The back of the stem is milk white and marked "Henry J. Green, Brooklyn, N.Y. No. 8067." The clear front is graduated, in reverse, every ½ degree Fahrenheit from 80 to 0.Currently not on view
Description
This alcohol-in-glass thermometer is 12 inches long. The back of the stem is milk white and marked "Henry J. Green, Brooklyn, N.Y. No. 8067." The clear front is graduated, in reverse, every ½ degree Fahrenheit from 80 to 0.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.315811
accession number
220984
catalog number
315811
A psychrometer determines humidity by measuring the cooling effect of evaporation. This example has two mercury in glass thermometers, Each mounted a silvered brass plate, and the whole mounted on a wooden board. The plate holding the wet-bulb thermometer is marked "No.
Description
A psychrometer determines humidity by measuring the cooling effect of evaporation. This example has two mercury in glass thermometers, Each mounted a silvered brass plate, and the whole mounted on a wooden board. The plate holding the wet-bulb thermometer is marked "No. 1868 SIGNAL SERVICE U.S. ARMY" and the plate holding the dry-bulb theremometer is marked "H.J. GREEN, N.Y" and "No. 3070 SIGNAL SERVICE U.S. ARMY."
The Signal Service maintained a national weather service from 1870 until the establishment of the U.S. Weather Bureau in 1891. This instrument was made after 1885 when James Green retired and his nephew, Henry J. Green, went into business on his own; and it was probably made before 1890 when H.J. Green relocated to Brooklyn. The Weather Bureau transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1904.
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, ca. 1890), p. 30.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1890
ca. 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.230007
catalog number
230007
accession number
42625
Set of glass thermometers, each of which has a plate made of grooved aluminum. One plate is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "No. 41530 SIGNAL CORPS, U.S. ARMY" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from 165 to +130. The other is marked "No. 30601 HENRY J.
Description
Set of glass thermometers, each of which has a plate made of grooved aluminum. One plate is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "No. 41530 SIGNAL CORPS, U.S. ARMY" and "MINIMUM" and graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from 165 to +130. The other is marked "No. 30601 HENRY J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and graduated every 5 degrees Centigrade [?] from -35 to +50. Each thermometer stem has a milk glass back. The clear front of the minimum stem is graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -65 to +132. The clear front of the other stem is graduated (but not numbered) every half degree Centigrade [?] from -37.5 to +51.5.
The thermometers are held in a Townsend support marked "Julien P. Friez & Sons." This support, which was introduced around 1905, enables the maximum thermometer to be released from its normal horizontal position and whirled rapidly around, and the minimum thermometer to be tilted so that the index can slide down to the end of the spirit column.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.308199
catalog number
308199
accession number
70852
This instrument consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on an aluminum frame that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 117 SIGNAL CORPS. U.S. ARMY" and equipped with a wooden handle.
Description
This instrument consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on an aluminum frame that is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 117 SIGNAL CORPS. U.S. ARMY" and equipped with a wooden handle. Each thermometer has a milk-white back and a clear front that is graduated every degree Fahrenheit. On one the scale runs from -37 to +127; on the other it runs from -32 to +128. It was made between 1890 (when Green moved his business to Brooklyn) and 1923 (when the psychrometer came to the Smithsonian).
Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, about 1890), p.31.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1923
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.308200.1
accession number
70852
catalog number
308200.1
Charles F. Marvin and Milton Whitney, both of the U.S. Weather Bureau, introduced this type of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometer in 1893. This example has a wood and brass frame with a brass band marked "HENRY J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y.
Description
Charles F. Marvin and Milton Whitney, both of the U.S. Weather Bureau, introduced this type of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometer in 1893. This example has a wood and brass frame with a brass band marked "HENRY J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y. 12 IN." A brass plate on the frame is marked "No. 11 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -10 to +150. The glass thermometer inside the frame is filled with mercury and alcohol. The back of the stem is milk glass. The clear front is marked "U.S. 11" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from +5 to +150.
Ref: C. F. Marvin and M. Whitney, "Instructions for Use of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometer," U.S. Weather Bureau Circular G (1894).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.314541
catalog number
314541
accession number
204612
Charles F. Marvin, a meteorologist who spent his career with the Army Signal Corps and its successor, the U.S. Weather Bureau, introduced this type of hygrometer in 1908.
Description
Charles F. Marvin, a meteorologist who spent his career with the Army Signal Corps and its successor, the U.S. Weather Bureau, introduced this type of hygrometer in 1908. Unlike the original described by Horace Benedict de Saussure, of Geneva, in 1783, the Marvin instrument had two bundles of hair. The inscription on this example reads “PERCENTAGE OF SATURATION / (RELATIVE HUMIDITY) / HAIR HYGROMETER / No. 19 / U.S. WEATHER BUREAU / HENRY J. GREEN / B’KLYN, N.Y.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1908
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.314528
catalog number
314528
accession number
204612
This Rutherford-type alcohol-in-glass thermometer is mounted on a flat metal plate marked "H. J. GREEN N.Y." and "No. 2352" and "SIGNAL SERVICE U.S. ARMY." A white porcelain strip on the plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from 65 to 115. The stem is marked "U.S.
Description
This Rutherford-type alcohol-in-glass thermometer is mounted on a flat metal plate marked "H. J. GREEN N.Y." and "No. 2352" and "SIGNAL SERVICE U.S. ARMY." A white porcelain strip on the plate is graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from 65 to 115. The stem is marked "U.S. 2352" and graduated (but not numbered) every degree. The whole is enclosed in an outer glass tube. It dates from the period 1885-1890 when Henry J. Green was working in New York.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.314555
catalog number
314555
accession number
204612
Sset of two glass thermometers, each with a grooved aluminum plate marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "SIGNAL CORPS, U.S. ARMY." One is also marked "No. 41500" and "MAXIMUM" and the other is marked "No. 44505" and "MINIMUM." Each stem has a milk white back.
Description
Sset of two glass thermometers, each with a grooved aluminum plate marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN. N.Y." and "SIGNAL CORPS, U.S. ARMY." One is also marked "No. 41500" and "MAXIMUM" and the other is marked "No. 44505" and "MINIMUM." Each stem has a milk white back. The clear front of the maximum stem is graduated every degree F. from -34 to +128. The clear front of the minimum stem is graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -34 to +112.
The thermometers are held in a Townsend support marked "Julien P. Friez & Sons." This support, which was introduced around 1905, enables the maximum thermometer to be released from its normal horizontal position and whirled rapidly around, and the minimum thermometer to be tilted so that the index can slide down to the end of the spirit column.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.308198
catalog number
308198
accession number
70852
70852
This instrument consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on a wooden board. Each thermometer is on a molded aluminum plate marked H. J. GREEN B’KLYN. N.Y.” and “U.S. WEATHER BUREAU.” One is also marked “No. 4860” and the other is marked “No.
Description
This instrument consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on a wooden board. Each thermometer is on a molded aluminum plate marked H. J. GREEN B’KLYN. N.Y.” and “U.S. WEATHER BUREAU.” One is also marked “No. 4860” and the other is marked “No. 5097.” The brass support for the latter is marked “J. P. FRIEZ BALT. MD.”
The dry bulb thermometer has a milk-white back marked “No. 4860 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU.” Its front is clear and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -38 to +134. The wet bulb thermometer has a milk-white back marked “No. 5097 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU.” Its front is clear and graduated every degree F from -30 to +112. The water cistern is missing. This instrument was made between 1890, when Green moved his business to Brooklyn, and 1954, when it came to the Smithsonian.
Ref.: Henry J. Green, (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 26.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.314561
accession number
204612
catalog number
314561
Charles F. Marvin and Milton Whitney, both of the U.S. Weather Bureau, introduced this type of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometer in 1893. This example has a wood and brass frame. A brass plate on the frame is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 8 U.S.
Description
Charles F. Marvin and Milton Whitney, both of the U.S. Weather Bureau, introduced this type of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometer in 1893. This example has a wood and brass frame. A brass plate on the frame is marked "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 8 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and graduated every 5 degrees Fahrenheit from -20 to +170. The glass thermometer inside the frame is filled with mercury and alcohol. The back of the stem is milk glass. The clear front is marked "U.S. 8" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -20 to +180. The Weather Bureau transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1954.
Ref: C. F. Marvin and M. Whitney, "Instructions for Use of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometer," U.S. Weather Bureau Circular G (1894).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1890
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.314540
catalog number
314540
accession number
204612
This instrument is said to have been used by Richard E. Byrd, USN, during his flight to the North Pole on May 9, 1926. It consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on an aluminum frame with a wooden handle. The inscriptions on the frame read "H. J.
Description
This instrument is said to have been used by Richard E. Byrd, USN, during his flight to the North Pole on May 9, 1926. It consists of two mercury-in-glass thermometers mounted on an aluminum frame with a wooden handle. The inscriptions on the frame read "H. J. GREEN B'KLYN N.Y." and "No. 648 U.S. WEATHER BUREAU" and "8078" and "8079". The wet bulb thermometer has a milk white back; its clear front is marked "U.S. 8078" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -40 to +129. The dry bulb thermometer has a milk-white back; its clear front is marked "U.S. 8079" and is graduated every degree F from -40 to +129.
Location
Currently not on view
user
Byrd, Sr., Richard E.
maker
H. J. Green
ID Number
PH.314552
accession number
204612
catalog number
314552

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.