Measuring & Mapping - Overview
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.
"Measuring & Mapping - Overview" showing 47 items.
Page 1 of 5
Earth Inductor
- Description
- This instrument is marked "MAX KOHL Werkstätten für Prazisions Mechanick CHEMNITZ I.S." and "CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC CO. LABORATORY APPARATUS CHICAGO U.S.A." Kohl described it as an "Earth Inductor after Palmieri...with round frame 300 mm diameter, with 100 turns of 1 mm thick wire, with commutator." Luigi Palmieri was a physicist in Naples who, in the 1840s, developed an earth inductor with elliptical ring that rotated around its longer axis. The Palmieri apparatus with a circular ring, as in this example, seems to have originated in the 1860s.
Max Kohl was in business as a scientific instrument maker from 1876 to 1937. The Central Scientific Co. was established in 1900. This example belonged to Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., and came to the Smithsonian in 1981.
Ref: Max Kohl, Physical Apparatus (Chemnitz, 1926), p. 974.
- maker
- Max Kohl
- ID Number
- 1981.0743.04
- accession number
- 1981.0743
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Declinometer
- Description
- A declinometer measures the horizontal angle between the geographic and magnetic poles of the earth (also known as the declination, or variation, of the magnetic needle). This particular form was introduced by H. P. Gambey of Paris in the 1830s and remained popular in France throughout the century. This example was purchased in France and was probably produced there as well. It consists of a heavy stone base, a bar magnet supported by a thread, and microscopes at either end to read the magnet's position.
Ref: E. Mascart, Traité de Magnétism Terrestre (Paris, 1900), p. 189-190.
- Date made
- ca 1830-1845
- maker
- Gambey, Henri Prudence
- ID Number
- 1982.0668.01
- accession number
- 1982.0668
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Magnetometer
- Description
- This instrument, a lighter and more robust version of the standard unifilar magnetometer used at the Kew Observatory, was designed by H. A. Denholm Fraser for the Magnetic Survey of India. Features include scales graduated on optical glass, and a phosphor-bronze ribbon to suspend the magnet. This example is marked "T. COOKE & SONS LTD. LONDON & YORK. No. 26" and "U.S.C.& G.S. No. 40." It was used at the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey's magnetic observatory in Honolulu from 1927 to the 1950s. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired it in 1973, when it took over the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Thomas Cooke began in business in York, England, in 1837. The firm became T. Cooke & Sons in 1868, and T. Cooke & Sons Ltd. in 1897. A merger with Troughton & Simms Ltd. in 1922, led to the formation of Cooke, Troughton & Simms Ltd.
- Photograph 82-15291 shows this magnetometer fitted with the induction apparatus developed by J. H. Nelson in 1938.
- Ref: H. A. Denholm Fraser, "The Unifilar Magnetometer of the Magnetic Survey of India," Terrestrial Magnetism 6 (1901): 65-69.
- T. Cooke & Sons, Illustrated Catalogue of Surveying Instruments, etc. (London, 1907), pp. 62-63.
Anita McConnell, Instrument Makers to the World. A History of Cooke, Troughton & Simms (York, 1992), pp. 69-70.
- maker
- T. Cooke & Sons Ltd.
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.02
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Universal Magnetometer with Dip Circle
- Description
- This instrument is marked "D.T.M. C.I.W. N° 19." Designed and built by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington in 1912, it incorporates an astronomical telescope and magnetometer for the determination of magnetic declination and horizontal intensity, and a dip circle with a Lloyd-Creak attachment for the determination of inclination and intensity. It is relatively light and easy to manipulate. It was used for a few years and then set aside when the universal magnetometer with earth inductor came into use.
- This magnetometer was probably transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey after the Carnegie Institution closed its geomagnetic program. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired it in 1973, when it took over the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: J. A. Fleming, "Two New Types of Magnetometers Made by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington," Terrestrial Magnetism 16 (1911): 1-12.
- Carnegie Institution of Washington, Land Magnetic Observations, 1911-1913 (Washington, D.C., 1915), pp. 7-8.
- Date made
- 1912
- maker
- Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.03
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Earth Inductor
- Description
- As scientists discovered that even the best dip circles gave unreliable results, they began using earth inductors to determine magnetic dip. In 1912, the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington developed a new earth inductor for use at sea. It has three key elements: an improved gimbal stand, a means for rotating the coil without disturbing the gimbal rings, and a sensitive galvanometer.
- This example is marked "D.T.M. C.I.W. E.I. N° 3." It is the third Carnegie marine earth inductor. When the Carnegie closed its program in terrestrial magnetism, it was lent to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired it in 1973 when it took over the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: J. A. Fleming, "Description of the C.I.W. Marine Earth
- Inductor," Terrestrial Magnetism 18 (1912): 39-45.
- C. W. Hewlett, "Report on the C.I.W. Marine Earth Inductor," Terrestrial Magnetism 18 (1912): 46-48.
- Date made
- 1912
- maker
- Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.05
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Universal Magnetometer with Earth Inductor
- Description
- This instrument was designed and produced by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Unlike the Carnegie's original universal magnetometer, this one is equipped with an earth inductor to determine dip. It is marked "DEPARTMENT TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM Carnegie Institution of Washington E.I. - M. No. 28." It was completed in 1914 and used in many locations around the world. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey used it in South and Central America in the early 1940s. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired it in 1973, when that agency took charge of the federal program in geomagnetism, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: J. A. Fleming and J. A. Widner, "Description of the C.I.W. Combined Magnetometer and Earth Inductor," Terrestrial Magnetism 18 (1913): 105-110.
- Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. Land Magnetic Observations, 1911-1913 (Washington, D.C., 1915), pp. 9-12.
- U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Magnetic Observations in the American Republics 1941-44 (Washington, D.C., 1946), p. 16.
- Date made
- 1914
- maker
- Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.07
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Magnetometer
- Description
- Theodolite magnetometers were designed for observations in the field, and so are relatively light, compact, of simple construction, and easily handled. Their tri-leg base can hold either the magnetometer or the theodolite that is used for astronomical alignment. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey designed this particular form in the early 1890s, basing it on the instrument that the Survey had been using since the early 1880s but adding several new features. One is the octagonal shape of the collimating magnets. Another is the black velvet screen that connects the telescope with the suspension box: this cuts off stray light,and eliminates the problems caused by the glass window in the earlier form.
- This example is marked "C. & G. S. NO. 18." The Survey produced it in 1892-1893 and made it available for L.A. Bauer's magnetic survey of Maryland at the end of the century. The base—marked "Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co., ROCHESTER, N.Y. 2690"—must be a replacement, made after the formation of that firm in 1905.
- The U.S. Geological Survey acquired this magnetometer in 1973 when it assumed control of the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and it transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: Edwin Smith, "Notes on Some Instruments Recently Made in the Instrument Division of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Office," Report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for the Year 1894, Appendix No. 8, p. 275.
- L. A. Bauer, Maryland Geological Survey (Baltimore, 1897), p. 433.
- Date made
- 1892-1893
- maker
- U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.08
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Magnetometer
- Description
- The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington designed this type of theodolite magnetometer by combining the best features of the Coast and Geodetic Survey instrument and that used on the Magnetic Survey of India. Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co. made several instruments of this sort. This example is marked "B & L Z S ROCHESTER, N.Y. 6790" and "No. 8." The "Z" in the inscription refers to the Carl Zeiss works in Jena, a Bausch & Lomb affiliate.
- Internal records indicate that the D.T.M. purchased this example in 1908, for a cost of $616.50. In early 1918, it was modified for use in extremely cold climates: some of its elements were sealed to avoid condensation, and the parts frequently touched were covered with celluloid. It was then used on the "Maud" expedition that Roald Amundsen led to the Arctic in 1918-1921; the second Amundsen expedition to the Arctic in 1922-1925; the Byrd expedition to the Antarctic in 1928-1930; and the United States expedition to the Antarctic in 1939-1941. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey borrowed it for the Nanook expedition in 1946, and did not return it to the D.T.M. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired this instrument when it took over the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co., Astronomical, Engineering and Other Instruments of Precision (Rochester, N.Y., 1907), pp. 42-43.
- J. A. Fleming, "Comparisons of Magnetic Observatory Standards by the Carnegie Institution of Washington," Terrestrial Magnetism 16 (1911): 61-84, on 62-63.
- H. U. Sverdrup,"Magnetic, Atmospheric-Electric, and Auroral Results, Maud Expedition, 1918-1925," in Carnegie Institution of Washington. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. Land Magnetic and Electric Observations, 1918-1926(Washington, D.C. 1927), pp. 309-524, on 313-316.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Bausch, Lomb, Saegmuller Co.
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.11
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Toepfer Variometer
- Description
- This variometer, which measures slight changes in the horizontal intensity of the earth's magnetic field, is based on a design developed by J. F. A. M. Eschenhagen, Director of the Prussian Magnetic Observatory at Potsdam. It is marked "Otto Toepfer Potsdam XII." The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey obtained several variometers from Toepfer around 1901 and kept them in use for many years. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired this example in 1973 when assumed responsibility for the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: M. Eschenhagen, "Magnetic Intensity Variometers," Terrestrial Magnetism 5 (1900): 59-62.
- Otto Toepfer & Sohn, Neue transportable Feinregistrir-Einrichtung für Erdmagnetismus (Potsdam, 1903).
- Daniel Hazard, Results of Observations Made at the Coast and Geodetic Survey Magnetic Observatory at Baldwin, Kansas, 1901-1904 (Washington, D.C., 1909), pp. 10-11.
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.12a
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Toepfer Variometer
- Description
- This variometer, which measures slight changes in magnetic declination, is based on a design developed by J. F. A. M. Eschenhagen, Director of the Prussian Magnetic Observatory at Potsdam. This example is marked "Otto Toepfer & Sohn Potsdam XIII." The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey obtained several instruments of this sort from Toepfer around 1901 and kept them in use for many years. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired this example in 1973 when it assumed responsibility for the geomagnetic program of the federal government, and transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1982.
- Ref: M. Eschenhagen, "Magnetic Intensity Variometers," Terrestrial Magnetism 5 (1900): 59-62.
- Otto Toepfer & Sohn, Neue transportable Feinregistrir-Einrichtung für Erdmagnetismus (Potsdam, 1903).
- Daniel Hazard, Results of Observations Made at the Coast and Geodetic Survey Magnetic Observatory at Baldwin, Kansas, 1901-1904 (Washington, D.C., 1909), pp. 10-11.
- maker
- Otto Toepfer & Sohn
- ID Number
- 1982.0671.12b
- accession number
- 1982.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center