Measuring & Mapping

Vernier Compass

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.

Date: 1850s

Psychrometer

The inscription on this psychrometer reads "Fastré ainé, Rue de l'Ecole Polytechnique 3, a' Paris, 1851é." The associated invoice indicates that "Monsieur Guyot" bought it for 80 francs in 1851 (along with 3 other Fastré instruments for a total cost of 155 francs).
Description
The inscription on this psychrometer reads "Fastré ainé, Rue de l'Ecole Polytechnique 3, a' Paris, 1851é." The associated invoice indicates that "Monsieur Guyot" bought it for 80 francs in 1851 (along with 3 other Fastré instruments for a total cost of 155 francs). The invoice also gives the "Comparaisons des Thermometres," which allow the arbitrary divisions on the thermometers to be converted to degrees Centrigrade. Since the thermometers were not uniform, they had to be calibrated individually. In a letter to Joseph Henry, Guyot called Fastré "the best living maker of thermometers."
A psychrometer uses the difference in readings between two thermometers, one with a wet bulb (ventilated to cause evaporation) and the other with a dry bulb, as a measure of atmospheric moisture. Although the phenomenon of cooling by evaporation was discussed as early as the 17th century, the form of this instrument dates from the early 19th century. E.F. August, of Berlin, coined the term in 1828.
Arnold Guyot was a Swiss scientist, who immigrated to the United States in 1848. He was a major consultant to the Smithsonian Institution as it established and coordinated a network of meteorological observers. He helped with selecting and equiping the sites of the observing stations, writing the "Directions for Meteorological Observations," and preparing the Smithsonian's first Meteorological Tables (see Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, vol. 1, 1862). Although the Smithsonian's weather service was of short duration, it was a key element in the development of a national weather bureau
. .
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1851
maker
Fastré
ID Number
1995.0162.01
accession number
1995.0162
catalog number
1995.0162.01

Lithograph of "Indian Antiquities" pottery artifacts

P. S. Duval and Company (ca 1840s-1858) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print from an original illustration by John M. Stanley (1814-1872).
Description (Brief)
P. S. Duval and Company (ca 1840s-1858) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print from an original illustration by John M. Stanley (1814-1872). The image of "Wooden Ware, etc." was published as Plate X in Volume 2, following page 116 of Appendix E (Indian Antiquities) by Thomas Ewbank (1792-1870) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
original artist
Wallis, O. J.
Dreser, William
Herbst, Francis
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
Dougal, William H.
Duval, Peter S.
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
original artist
Richard, John H.
Stanley, John Mix
Siebert, Selmar
author
Cassin, John
Ewbank, Thomas
Baird, Spencer Fullerton
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2007.0204.01
accession number
2007.0204
catalog number
2007.0204.01

Chromolithograph of bird species "Euphonia Rufiventris adult male and Chlorophonia Occipitalis adulte male"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this pre-press chromolithographic proof of "Euphonia refiventis [Vieill] adult male and Chlorophonia occipitalis [Du Bus] adult male," now "Euphonia rufiventris" (Rufous-bellied eupohina) and "Chlorophonia occipitalis" (Blue
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this pre-press chromolithographic proof of "Euphonia refiventis [Vieill] adult male and Chlorophonia occipitalis [Du Bus] adult male," now "Euphonia rufiventris" (Rufous-bellied eupohina) and "Chlorophonia occipitalis" (Blue-crowned chlorophonia), from an original illustration by William Dreser (ca 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XX in Volume 2, following page 182 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
original artist
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.06
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.06

Lithograph of bird species "Ericornis Melanura and Scytalopus Fuscus"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original illustration by William Dreser
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original illustration by William Dreser (ca 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XXI in Volume 2, following page 188 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
original artist
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.05
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.05

Lithograph of bird species "Chrysomitris Marginalis"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Chrysomitris marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female" (common name: Black-chinned Siskin) after an original illustration by William Dreser (b. 1820, fl. 1849-1860).
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Chrysomitris marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female" (common name: Black-chinned Siskin) after an original illustration by William Dreser (b. 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XVII in Volume 2, following page 180 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Description
Thomas Sinclair (c.1805–1881) of Philadelphia printed this lithograph of “Chrysomitris Marginalis [Bonaparte] male and female," now "Carduelis barbata" or Black-chinned siskin, from an original sketch by William Dreser (c.1820–after 1860) of Philadelphia (1847–1860) and New York (1860). The illustration was published in 1855 by A.O.P. Nicholson in Washington, D.C. as Plate XVII in the “Birds” section of volume II of The United States Naval Astronomical Survey to the Southern Hemisphere, written by John Cassin (1813–1869).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.03
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.03

Hopkinson Steam Engine Indicator

An engine indicator is an instrument for graphically recording the pressure versus piston displacement through an engine stroke cycle. Engineers use the resulting diagram to check the design and performance of the engine. The J.
Description
An engine indicator is an instrument for graphically recording the pressure versus piston displacement through an engine stroke cycle. Engineers use the resulting diagram to check the design and performance of the engine. The J. Hopkinson & Company of Huddersfield, England manufactured this steam engine indicator ca 1855. Made of brass, it consists of an internal cylinder and piston which is surrounded by a concentric brass drum holding the recording paper. The piston causes the stylus to rise and fall with pressure changes thereby directly recording the indicator’s pressure-volume diagram output on the paper. Around the drum’s base is wound a cord that is attached to the connecting rod of the piston on the steam engine being measured. This causes the drum to rotate as the engine’s piston moves. An internal coil spring causes the cord to retract and the drum to counter rotate back to its original position as the connecting rod returns.
The introduction of the steam indicator in the late 1790s and early 1800s by James Watt and others had a great impact on the understanding of how the steam behaved inside the engine's cylinder and thereby enabled much more exacting and sophisticated designs. The devices also changed how the economics and efficiency of steam engines were portrayed and marketed. They helped the prospective owner of a machine better understand how much his fuel costs would be for a given amount of work performed. Measurement of fuel consumed and work delivered by the engine was begun by Watt, who in part justified the selling price of his engines on the amount of fuel cost the purchaser might save compared to an alternate engine. In the early days of steam power, the method to compare engine performance was based on a concept termed the engine’s “duty”. It originally was calculated as the number of pounds of water raised one foot high per one bushel of coal consumed. The duty method was open to criticism due to its inability to take into consideration finer points of efficiency in real world applications of engines . Accurate determination of fuel used in relation to work performed has been fundamental to the design and improvement of all steam-driven prime movers ever since Watt’s time. And, the steam indicators’ key contribution was the accurate measurements of performance while the engine was actually doing the work it was designed to do.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855
ID Number
1979.0344.01
accession number
1979.0344
catalog number
1979.0344.01

Engraved printing plate "Procellaria nivea"

This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria nivea" (now Pagodroma nivea - Snow Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 42, in the ed
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria nivea" (now Pagodroma nivea - Snow Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 42, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson after T. R. Peale.
Description
The firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson (1830s–1850s) of New York City prepared this copper printing plate after a drawing by Expedition Naturalist Titian Ramsey Peale. It depicts the Procellaria nivea (now Pagodroma nivea or Snow Petrel). The engraved illustration was published as Plate 42 in Volume VIII, Mammalogy and Ornithology, by John Cassin, 1858.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Cassin, John
maker
Peale, Titian Ramsay
ID Number
1999.0145.422
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.422

Chronodrometer or Horse Timing Watch

This is a watch designed as a timer for horses.
Description
This is a watch designed as a timer for horses. A horseracing craze in the 1850s influenced product designers at the American Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts, to add the chronodrometer (from the Greek roots: chrono - time, drom - running/race, meter - measure) to their line of conventional watches. The chronodrometer was the first mass-produced stopwatch.
The chronodrometer's dial could mark quarter seconds, but it was unlike any other stopwatch in use then or now. A sweep hand in the center of the dial revolved once every four minutes; at the bottom of the dial, a small hand revolved once every four seconds. At the top was a conventional dial with numerals 1 through 12 and hour and minute hands for indicating the correct time of day. When the watch was used as a timer, the time train inconveniently stopped.
Between 1858 and 1861, the American Watch Company made about four hundred chronodrometers-not a huge number by mass-production standards. The stopwatch sold for $50, compared to $150 to $250 for a high-grade import. At that time, stopwatches of any kind were still rare.
The American Watch Company had been launched in 1849 in a corner of the Howard & Davis clock factory in Roxbury, near Boston, where Edward Howard and Aaron Dennison experimented with completely new designs for watches and the machines to make them. Howard, a clockmaker, had absorbed techniques for the mass production of firearms with interchangeable parts during a visit to the Springfield Armory. Why not, he thought, try it with watches? With expert help from a cadre of experienced mechanicians and funding from Howard's father-in-law, the Boston mirror maker Samuel Curtis, the enterprise got under way.
From shaky beginnings as America's first watch business, the Waltham firm would go on to pioneer mass-production techniques and teach the rest of the world how to make watches by machine. Waltham remained an important innovative force in both watch and machinery design for the rest of the century. The firm's success spawned a raft of competitors, and the American watch industry began to turn out movements and watches by the millions.
date made
ca 1859
patent date
1859-02-08
manufacturer
American Waltham Watch Co.
ID Number
ME.316148
catalog number
316148
accession number
225117

Dumpy Level with Compass

This surveyor's instrument was made by Gabriel Davis (d. 1851), a Jewish immigrant from Bavaria who settled in Leeds and who, by 1830, was in business as an optical and mathematical instrument maker.Currently not on view
Description
This surveyor's instrument was made by Gabriel Davis (d. 1851), a Jewish immigrant from Bavaria who settled in Leeds and who, by 1830, was in business as an optical and mathematical instrument maker.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1850
maker
Davis, Gabriel
ID Number
2005.0182.5
accession number
2005.0182
catalog number
2005.0182.5

"American Method in Astronomical Observation"

From its infancy, timekeeping has depended on astronomy. The motion of celestial bodies relative to the rotating Earth provided the most precise measure of time until the mid-twentieth century, when quartz and atomic clocks proved more constant.
Description
From its infancy, timekeeping has depended on astronomy. The motion of celestial bodies relative to the rotating Earth provided the most precise measure of time until the mid-twentieth century, when quartz and atomic clocks proved more constant. Until that time, mechanical observatory clocks were set and continuously corrected to agree with astronomical observations.
The application of electricity to observatory timepieces in the late 1840s revolutionized the way American astronomers noted the exact movement of celestial events. U.S. Coast Survey teams devised a method to telegraph clock beats, both within an observatory and over long distances, and to record both the beats and the moment of observation simultaneously. British astronomers dubbed it the "American method of astronomical observation" and promptly adopted it themselves.
Transmitting clock beats by telegraph not only provided astronomers with a means of recording the exact moment of astronomical observations but also gave surveyors a means of determining longitude. Because the Earth rotates on its axis every twenty-four hours, longitude and time are equivalent (fifteen degrees of longitude equals one hour).
In 1849 William Cranch Bond, then director of the Harvard College Observatory, devised an important improvement for clocks employed in the "American method." He constructed several versions of break-circuit devices—electrical contracts and insulators attached to the mechanical clock movement—for telegraphing clock beats once a second. The Bond regulator shown here incorporates such a device. Bond's son Richard designed the accompanying drum chronograph, an instrument that touched a pen to a paper-wrapped cylinder to record both the beats of the clock and the instant of a celestial event, signaled when an observer pressed a telegraph key.
Location
Currently not on view
Currently not on view (winding key)
Date made
ca 1850
maker
William Bond & Son
ID Number
1981.0322.01
accession number
1981.0322
catalog number
1981.0322.01

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