Mercury Thermometer

Description:

This tiny mercury-in-glass thermometer is mounted on a silver scale that extends from -20 to +40 degrees, and that is marked "Reaur." The reference is to René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, a French scientist who, in 1730, proposed a temperature scale according to which water froze at 0 degrees and boiled at 80 degrees. The thermometer is protected by a black leather case, and was probably designed for a traveler.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Thermometers and Hygrometers, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.325407Catalog Number: 325407Accession Number: 256201

Object Name: thermometer

Measurements: case: 3 11/16 in; 9.398 cmoverall in case: 3/4 in x 3 7/16 in x 1 1/4 in; 1.905 cm x 8.73125 cm x 3.175 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-d377-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1419349

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