Science & Mathematics

The Museum's collections hold thousands of objects related to chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Instruments range from early American telescopes to lasers. Rare glassware and other artifacts from the laboratory of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, are among the scientific treasures here. A Gilbert chemistry set of about 1937 and other objects testify to the pleasures of amateur science. Artifacts also help illuminate the social and political history of biology and the roles of women and minorities in science.

The mathematics collection holds artifacts from slide rules and flash cards to code-breaking equipment. More than 1,000 models demonstrate some of the problems and principles of mathematics, and 80 abstract paintings by illustrator and cartoonist Crockett Johnson show his visual interpretations of mathematical theorems.

Arthur J. Weed was a skilled mechanic who, as chief instrument maker of the U.S. Weather Bureau, built and maintained the seismograph that Charles Marvin had designed in 1895.
Description
Arthur J. Weed was a skilled mechanic who, as chief instrument maker of the U.S. Weather Bureau, built and maintained the seismograph that Charles Marvin had designed in 1895. Moving in 1920 to the Rouss Physical Laboratory at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Weed gained access to resources that allowed him to go further in this field. With the aid of engineering students, Weed built a inverted pendulum seismograph with a 750-pound weight. Photographs of Weed with this massive instrument ran as an A.P. story in several newspapers. One headline read: “Trapping earthquakes has become a popular business at the University of Virginia, where one of the most unique and sensitive seismographs in the country keeps a twenty-four hour watch for tremors.”
Weed also designed a smaller inverted pendulum seismograph that could “be used in many places where a more elaborate installation is out of the question.” One account described a cylindrical steady mass of about six pounds resting on three wires placed in the form of an equilateral triangle to which an oil damping device is attached.” This is an instrument of that sort. It came to the Smithsonian in 1963.
When Weed died in 1936, the chief seismologist of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey noted that “the science of seismology has lost one who has given much thought to instrumental problems, an active worker and a true friend.” The American Geophysical Union noted the loss of “a member who has long been active in the field of instrumental seismology.”
Ref: “Seismograph is Homemade,” Washington Post (July 10, 1927), p. 12, and Salt Lake Tribune (July 10, 1927), p. 10.
“Something New In Seismographs,” The Telegraph (May 4, 1932).
N. H. Heck, “Arthur J. Weed,” Science 83 (1936): 404.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
PH.323393
catalog number
323393
accession number
251562
Aluminum binoculars with a black finish, and black leather on the barrels. The left eye plate is marked “CARL ZEISS / JENA” and the right on is marked “DELACTIS / 1135801 / 8 x 40.” The objective lenses are 40 mm diameter.
Description
Aluminum binoculars with a black finish, and black leather on the barrels. The left eye plate is marked “CARL ZEISS / JENA” and the right on is marked “DELACTIS / 1135801 / 8 x 40.” The objective lenses are 40 mm diameter. The eyepieces are separately adjustable as is the inter-ocular distance. The case is black leather.
Zeiss produced the Delactis form between 1921 and 1936.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1921-1936
maker
Zeiss
ID Number
PH.336784
catalog number
336784
accession number
1978.2216
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1938
ID Number
AG.A.7550
accession number
198812
catalog number
A.7550
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1938-10-27
ID Number
AG.A.7592
catalog number
A.7592
accession number
198812
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
ID Number
AG.A.7551
accession number
198812
catalog number
A.7551
In the early nineteenth century, lighthouses in the United States were considered inferior to those in France and England.
Description
In the early nineteenth century, lighthouses in the United States were considered inferior to those in France and England. American mariners complained about the quality of the light emanating from local lighthouse towers, arguing that European lighthouses were more effective at shining bright beams of light over long distances. While American lighthouses relied on lamps and mirrors to direct mariners, European lighthouses were equipped with compact lenses that could shine for miles.
In 1822, French scientist Augustin-Jean Fresnel was studying optics and light waves. He discovered that by arranging a series of lenses and prisms into the shape of a beehive, the strength of lighthouse beams could be improved. His lens—known as the Fresnel lens—diffused light into beams that could be visible for miles. Fresnel designed his lenses in several different sizes, or orders. The first order lens, meant for use in coastal lighthouses, was the largest and the strongest lens. The sixth order lens was the smallest, designed for use in small harbors and ports.
By the 1860s, all of the lighthouses in the United States were fitted with Fresnel lenses. This lens came from a lighthouse on Bolivar Point, near Galveston, Texas. Galveston was the largest and busiest port in nineteenth-century Texas. Having a lighthouse here was imperative – the mouth of the bay provided entry to Houston and Texas City, as well as inland waterways. The Bolivar Point Light Station had second and third order Fresnel lenses over the years; this third order lens was installed in 1907. Its light could be seen from 17 miles away.
On 16-17 August 1915, a severe hurricane hit Galveston. As the storm grew worse, fifty to sixty people took refuge in the Bolivar Point Light Station. Around 9:15 PM, the light’s turning mechanism broke, forcing assistant lighthouse keeper J.B. Brooks to turn the Fresnel lens by hand. By 10 PM, the vibrations from the hurricane were so violent that Brooks began to worry the lens might shatter. He ceased turning the lens, trimmed the lamp wicks and worked to maintain a steady light through the night. The next morning, Brooks left the lighthouse to find Bolivar Point nearly swept away by the water.
Bolivar Point Light Station used this Fresnel lens until 1933. It was donated to the Smithsonian Institution by the National Park Service.
date made
1822
late 1800s
all United States lighthouses outfitted with Fresnel lenses
1860s
lens used during a severe hurricane at Bolivar Point
1917-08-16 - 1917-08-17
donated to Smithsonian
1933
inventor
Fresnel, Augustin Jean
ID Number
TR.335567
catalog number
335567
accession number
1977.0626
In 1928, the E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co. hired Wallace Carothers Ph. to conduct pure research in any area of chemistry he chose. His interest was in the construction of long chain polymers, similar to those found in nature.
Description
In 1928, the E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co. hired Wallace Carothers Ph. to conduct pure research in any area of chemistry he chose. His interest was in the construction of long chain polymers, similar to those found in nature. There was no product in mind when he and his team began their work, they simply wanted to learn as much about large molecules as possible. The work done by Carothers and his team lead to the discovery of polyesters and polyamides. DuPont went with the polyamides, and nylon was born. It was the first fiber produced entirely in the laboratory, and was introduced to the public in the form of women's stockings at the 1939 World's Fair. Nylon stockings went on sale May 15, 1940, and were a smashing success. Prior to the production of nylon stockings, American women wore stockings made of silk or rayon. By 1942, nylon stockings were taking twenty percent of the stocking market. With U.S. entry into World War Two, nylon was declared a defense material and withdrawn from the civilian market. Nylon's most famous use during the war was as a replacement for silk in parachutes. However, it was also used in ropes, netting, tire cord, and dozens of other items. So many uses were found for nylon that some referred to it as the "fiber that won the war." When the war ended, nylon stockings were brought back and quickly replaced silk and rayon in the stocking market.
This is the first pair of experimental nylon stockings made by Union Hosiery Company for Du Pont in 1937. The leg of the stocking is nylon, the upper welt, toe, and heel are silk, and cotton is found in the seam. The nylon section of the stocking would not take the silk dye, and dyed to black instead of brown.
Date made
ca 1937
1937
maker
Union Hosiery Co.
ID Number
TE.T12049
accession number
227591
catalog number
T12049
This short brass piece holds a ring that rotates on ball bearings and a gear. A mark on the gear reads: 146335 5. A mark on the ring reads: FAFNIR S [. .
Description
This short brass piece holds a ring that rotates on ball bearings and a gear. A mark on the gear reads: 146335 5. A mark on the ring reads: FAFNIR S [. . .] K USA..
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.18
nonaccession number
1983.3002
catalog number
1983.3002.18
In this component, a metal gear is attached above a metal plate.
Description
In this component, a metal gear is attached above a metal plate. The other end of the plate supports another metal plate and is held to it by a nut and bolt.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer at NMAH have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.14
nonaccession number
1983.3002
catalog number
1983.3002.14
This component includes a gear constrained to rotate on a shaft with the limits of its motion set by a mechanism moving inside a wheel. A mark on it reads: MADE IN U.S.A.
Description
This component includes a gear constrained to rotate on a shaft with the limits of its motion set by a mechanism moving inside a wheel. A mark on it reads: MADE IN U.S.A. N D 39 R.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.16
nonaccession number
1983.3002
catalog number
1983.3002.16
This steel shaft runs through a series of steel rings, each with a gear next to it. One ring is attached to one gear. Each ring has one protrusion. Seventeen rings are of one size, twenty-two of a larger size. Each ring is marked: BOSTON.
Description
This steel shaft runs through a series of steel rings, each with a gear next to it. One ring is attached to one gear. Each ring has one protrusion. Seventeen rings are of one size, twenty-two of a larger size. Each ring is marked: BOSTON. The Boston Gear Works manufactured several parts used in the Bush differential analyzer.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer at NMAH have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.05
nonaccession number
1983.3002
catalog number
1983.3002.05
Each of these three small brass gears has a small cylinder attached through the center and a tiny gear at the end of the cylinder.
Description
Each of these three small brass gears has a small cylinder attached through the center and a tiny gear at the end of the cylinder. One component has another gear that fits over the cylinder.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.44
catalog number
1983.3002.44
nonaccession number
1983.3002
This full keyboard non-printing manual adding machine is painted black with a green keyboard. It has black and white octagonal plastic keys. The nine columns of keys have nine keys in each column. Odd-numbered keys are concave, even-numbered ones flat.
Description
This full keyboard non-printing manual adding machine is painted black with a green keyboard. It has black and white octagonal plastic keys. The nine columns of keys have nine keys in each column. Odd-numbered keys are concave, even-numbered ones flat. Complementary digits are indicated as well as numbers. Ten windows at the front show the sum of numbers as the numbers are entered. A single key in the upper left corner controls the numeral wheel seen through the tenth window. The machine has two legs at the back which hold it up at an angle. There is a black plastic cover. Compare to Burroughs calculator.
The Burroughs calculator was sold as the Burroughs Class 5 from 1918 into the 1960s.
Reference:
American Digest of Business Machines, 1924, pp. 70-71.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1986.3039.01
catalog number
1986.3039.01
nonaccession number
1986.3039
These paper punch cards have the fields used in the U.S. Census of population in 1930. Each is marked: POPULATION, 1930.
Description
These paper punch cards have the fields used in the U.S. Census of population in 1930. Each is marked: POPULATION, 1930. Each is also marked: TM2021.
The cards were similar in past ones in that they record the age, gender, race, marriage status, and education status of an individual. The 1930 punch card changed from the 1920 punch card in three ways. The first was the use of a more standardized 12-key punch, which required changing some of the code symbols to make the card puncher’s job a bit easier. The second was a different look and column spacing of the card. The third was changes in the content. Some areas, like household head, were moved to the family card. The columns were numbered and labeled on the bottom of the card.
Columns indicated (by number):
5. Whether the person lived on a farm
6. Sex
7. Color (or race)
8-9. Age (in units of 10)
10. Marital State
11. Education: NY – not attending school, able to read and write
NN – not attending school, not able to read or write
Yes – attending school
12. State of birth
13. Mother tongue
14-15. Country of birth
16. Nativity: of individual and parents
17. Year immigrated to the U.S.
18. Citizenship: Na – native
Pa – papers
Al – alien
19. Speak English?
20-23. Occupation
24. Class
Reference:
Truesdell, Leon E. The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census,1890-1940: With Outlines of Actual Tabulation Programs. Washington, D.C.: G.P.O., 1965.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930
maker
U. S. Census Bureau
ID Number
1988.3098.01
catalog number
1988.3098.01
nonaccession number
1988.3098
This funnel-shaped brass piece has a space between it and the steel rim.
Description
This funnel-shaped brass piece has a space between it and the steel rim. It resembles the pieces of 1983.3002.28, but has no holes.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.29
catalog number
1983.3002.29
nonaccession number
1983.3002
This German silver and steel instrument has a white celluloid measuring wheel and vernier. It is in the general style of an Amsler fixed-scale planimeter, but it has no registering dial.
Description
This German silver and steel instrument has a white celluloid measuring wheel and vernier. It is in the general style of an Amsler fixed-scale planimeter, but it has no registering dial. The 4" tracer arm and 6" pole arm are connected by a hinge and form a circle around the measuring wheel when the instrument is closed. The cylindrical weight is screwed to a short revolving arm that is screwed on top of the pole arm. The lengths of the arms are not adjustable.
A wooden case covered with black leather is lined with black velvet. White trim is around the inside edges of the case. A small piece of paper glued inside the bottom of the case is marked: 0.01 [square] in.
There is no mark for a maker or distributor, but this instrument closely resembles a planimeter sold by the Eugene Dietzgen Company in 1926 as model 1800 for $17.75. Compare to MA.318485.
The instrument was received at the Smithsonian in 1989.
Reference: Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 12th ed. (Chicago, 1926), 180.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
1989.0305.01
accession number
1989.0305
catalog number
1989.0305.01
This steel shaft holds a black iron cylinder that has a block extending at one end. The latter has two holes in it.Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.Currently not on view
Description
This steel shaft holds a black iron cylinder that has a block extending at one end. The latter has two holes in it.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.34
catalog number
1983.3002.34
nonaccession number
1983.3002
Each of these five steel gears has a hole in the middle for a shaft. The smallest of the three is marked: GA40. The next largest is marked: GA41. The largest is marked: GA42.
Description
Each of these five steel gears has a hole in the middle for a shaft. The smallest of the three is marked: GA40. The next largest is marked: GA41. The largest is marked: GA42. All are marked: BOSTON.
Parts of the Bush differential analyzer surviving at the Smithsonian have museum numbers MA.314824 and 1983.3002.01 through 1983.3002.89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Bush, Vannevar
ID Number
1983.3002.60
catalog number
1983.3002.60
nonaccession number
1983.3002
After their widespread use during World War One, experts increasingly used psychological tests as a tool to rank and sort people in contexts including (but not limited to) education and employment. The Iowa Silent Reading Tests (Form AM) were written by H.A.
Description
After their widespread use during World War One, experts increasingly used psychological tests as a tool to rank and sort people in contexts including (but not limited to) education and employment. The Iowa Silent Reading Tests (Form AM) were written by H.A. Greene (Director, Bureau of Educational Research and Service, University of Iowa) and V.H. Kelley (University Appointment Office, University of Arizona). Ruth E. Myer’s name appears in the top right corner. The test was intended for students in grades 4 to 9 and was twelve pages long. It had six different tests: rate-comprehension, directed reading, word meaning, paragraph comprehension (central idea and development), sentence meaning, and location of information. The front page included a blank profile chart. It was published by the World Book Company and was copyrighted in 1933 and 1939.
For a general discussion of testing at the University of Iowa, see 1990.0034.086.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
author
Greene, H. A.
Kelley, V. H.
ID Number
1983.0168.10
catalog number
1983.0168.10
accession number
1983.0168
This is a simple compound monocular with push-tube focus, inclination joint, square stage, sub-stage mirror, and square base.
Description
This is a simple compound monocular with push-tube focus, inclination joint, square stage, sub-stage mirror, and square base. It comes in a green wooden chest which also holds slides, apparatus for simple chemical experiments, and a “Microscope Manual of Instructions.”
This was made and marketed by A.C. Gilbert, a toy company that was established in Westville, Ct., in 1909, and that introduced the Erector Set a few years later. Gilbert began offering microscopes for children in 1932.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1938
maker
A. C. Gilbert Company
ID Number
1983.0656.01
catalog number
1983.0656.01
accession number
1983.0656
After their widespread use during World War One, experts increasingly used psychological tests as a tool to rank and sort people in contexts including (but not limited to) education and employment. The Personality Inventory was written by Robert G.
Description
After their widespread use during World War One, experts increasingly used psychological tests as a tool to rank and sort people in contexts including (but not limited to) education and employment. The Personality Inventory was written by Robert G. Bernreuter (1901-1995) and was published by Stanford University Press. Ruth E. Myer’s name appears in the upper right-hand corner of the first page. The test booklet is four pages long and contains 125 yes or no questions. The directions tell the test-taker that the questions, “are intended to indicate your interests and attitudes.”
Reference:
“R.G. Bernreuter, 93, Psychology Teacher,” The New York Times, June 20, 1995.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935
author
Bernreuter, Robert G.
ID Number
1983.0168.06
catalog number
1983.0168.06
accession number
1983.0168
This wooden rule has hand-lettered paper labels glued to it. The top of the base has a logarithmic scale for parts per million of sulfur dioxide. The slide has logarithmic scales for pounds of sulfur dioxide and gallons of liquid.
Description
This wooden rule has hand-lettered paper labels glued to it. The top of the base has a logarithmic scale for parts per million of sulfur dioxide. The slide has logarithmic scales for pounds of sulfur dioxide and gallons of liquid. By setting the number of gallons next to the desired number of parts per million, the user may find the weight of sulfur dioxide needed to add to the liquid. The lower part of the base is marked: Directions – Set gallons to treat opposite arrow – Read lbs sulfur Dioxide opposite P.P.M. desired. (/) Copyright 1938 Neil A. Maclean Co. 470 - 8th St. San Francisco. Cal.
The back of the rule is stamped: DEC –5 1938. Over this is stamped: [S]URPLUS (/) DUPLICATE around the logo for the Library of Congress. The back is also marked: ©CI 1 pub. 23866. Neil A. Maclean Company (sometimes called NAMCO) was a California distributor of pesticides and agricultural supplies. It deposited this rule with the Library of Congress as part of its application for copyright (23866 is the copyright number for the device). The Library subsequently transferred the instrument to the Smithsonian. Another sample used to procure a copyright is 1983.3009.02.
NAMCO was still on 8th Street in the 1940s, but according to its trademark records, it moved to Milpitas, Calif., by 1971. Van Waters & Rogers, a multinational pest control and chemical supplier now called Univar, acquired the company sometime between 1974 and 1975.
Reference: Library of Congress Copyright Office, Catalog of Copyright Entries: Part 4, Works of Art, Etc., n.s. 34 (1939): 163.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1938
maker
Neil A. Maclean Co.
ID Number
1983.3009.01
catalog number
1983.3009.01
nonaccession number
1983.3009
This full-keyboard, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and nine columns of black and white plastic keys. At the base of each bank of keys is a red clearance key.
Description
This full-keyboard, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and nine columns of black and white plastic keys. At the base of each bank of keys is a red clearance key. The columns of the keyboard are identified below the keys, going from right to left. The underlying keyboard is painted green. Between banks of keys are rotating metal rods for decimal markers.
Right of the number keys is a red clear key and a red ADD key. When the add key is depressed, the keyboard clears after each operation.The operating crank on the right rotates backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division. It is further toward the front of the machine than on the model KC, and has no stop.
Behind the keyboard is a movable carriage with the 18-window result register. A crank at the front of the machine shifts the carriage and a mechanism on the left end of the carriage apparently is meant to clear it. Behind and above the carriage is a row of nine windows showing digits entered, a lever that can be set for multiplication or division, and a row of nine windows for the revolution register. A small crank on the right side clears this register. Metal rods with sliding decimal markers are above all three registers. The machine has four rubber feet. A bell rings when the result passes through zero.
Plates attached to the right and left sides read: MARCHANT. Metal plate to the right of the keyboard reads: MARCHANT (/) CALCULATORS (/) SIMPLICITY (/) ACCURACY (/) SPEED. Metal tag attached to base reads: H9-8090. Masking tape on the top of the machine reads: 1250, Mark on bottom of machine reads:10004.
The model H9 was introduced in 1927. It sold for $350 in 1930 and 1931. In 1933, the “MARCHANT” plates on the sides of the machine were replaced by lettering on the sides, hence the date given.
References:
Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, vol. I, p. 9-23;
Office Machines Research Service, 1938, vol. 3, 4.31, p. 1–6; 1979.3084.98.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
ID Number
1985.0821.01
catalog number
1985.0821.01
accession number
1985.0821
maker number
H9-8090
This stapled ten-page leaflet arrived with 1982.0386.02. It is marked "Printed in Japan" and probably dates to the mid-1930s.
Description
This stapled ten-page leaflet arrived with 1982.0386.02. It is marked "Printed in Japan" and probably dates to the mid-1930s. It is titled, Short Directions for the Use of the "Hemmi's" Bamboo Slide Rules, and there are indications throughout the text that its author was not a native speaker of English.
The leaflet explains what a slide rule is. There are sections for Hemmi Normal Slide Rules, the Electro Slide Rule with Log Log Scale, and the Improved Slide Rule. The leaflet also contains an illustration of reading graduations on the scales, an explanation of Hemmi's construction techniques, and various technical problems that could be solved with slide rules. ID number 1982.0386.02 resembles the slide rule illustrated on p. 1, although the drawing shows a ruler in inches on the top edge and depicts PATENT No 58115 as written on the indicator. The example in the collections lacks the ruler and the reference to what is presumably a Japanese patent.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1931-1939
maker
SUN HEMMI JAPAN CF
ID Number
1982.0386.03
accession number
1982.0386
catalog number
1982.0386.03

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