Science & Mathematics - Overview
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.
"Science & Mathematics - Overview" showing 1306 items.
Page 131 of 131
- No Image Available
Vaisala Dropsonde
- Description
- This example is identical to the many instruments that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) dropped into and around Hurricane Katrina as that storm crossed the Gulf of Mexico in the late summer of 2005. These instruments provided information that scientists used to gauge the size, strength and speed of this storm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2003
- maker
- Vaisala, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2007.0213.1
- accession number
- 2007.0213
- catalog number
- 2007.0213.1
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- No Image Available
Millionaire Calculating Machine
- Description
- This key-set direct multiplication calculating machine has a brass mechanism, a metal case with lid, and color-coded plastic keys. The lid and the flat plates that cover the mechanism are painted black. The carriage fits entirely within the case.
- There are ten columns of color-coded black and white plastic keys, with nine keys in each column. Painted rods between columns of keys turn to serve as decimal markers. The zero key is left of the keyboard. Left of these is a crank that may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication and division. Immediately to the right of the digit keys is an operating bar. Right of this is a lever that may be set at addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank. Ten glass-covered windows in a row in front of the keyboard show the number entered.
- Further forward is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient, and the other row shows the result or the dividend. The result registers may be set with a dividend using thumbscrews. Both registers on the carriage have zeroing knobs and sliding decimal markers. The carriage shift button is between these registers, at the left. Both the paper sheet and the brush are missing from inside the lid.
- A metal tag screwed to the middle of the front of the machine reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A metal tag on the right reads: H.W. EGLI SteAmg. (/) Calculating Machines (/) ZURICH (Switzerland). A metal tag on the left reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY. The serial number, stamped on the top left under this tag, is 14382.
- Compare MA*333941.
- The United States Naval Observatory transferred this machine to the Smithsonian in 1955.
- The key-driven Millionaire was introduced in 1913. In 1927, keys were also introduced on some models for use in direct multiplication (these keys are not found on this machine). Egli manufactured Millionaire calculating machines until about 1935, and Morschhauser retired in 1935. The serial number of this machine suggests a late date of manufacture.
- Reference:
- “W.A. Morschhauser Ex-Official of the Calculating Business Machines Corp.” New York Times, December 5, 1940, p. 25.
- MADAS 50 Jahre Arbeit,
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1935
- maker
- Egli, Hans W.
- ID Number
- MA*314579
- accession number
- 204773
- catalog number
- 314579
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- No Image Available
Dip Circle
- Description
- This is marked "Wm Würdemann, Washington, D.C." and "U.S.C.S. No. 10." It was designed by Julius Hilgard of the U.S. Coast Survey, constructed by Würdemann, and in use by 1860. The vertical circle is located outside the wood and glass box, silvered, graduated to 15 minutes, and read by opposite verniers with magnifiers to 30 seconds. It supports two telescopes which are used to take sights on small holes pierced through the ends of the needle. The horizontal circle is silvered, graduated to 30 minutes and read by vernier to single minutes.
- Ref: "Results of Magnetical Observations Made at Eastport, Maine, Between 1860 and 1864, for the United States Coast Survey," Report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey During the Year 1865, Appendix 18.
- Date made
- ca 1860
- maker
- Wurdemann, William W.
- ID Number
- PH*314633
- catalog number
- 314633
- accession number
- 208213
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- No Image Available
Universal Magnetometer with Dip Circle
- Description
- This instrument is marked "LUDW. TESDORPF STUTTGART NO 1810"; and "U.S.C.&G.S. No. 25." It combines a magnetometer, a declinometer, a dip circle, and a theodolite. It was designed by J. F. A. M. Eschenhagen, Director of the Prussian Magnetic Observatory at Potsdam, and made by Ludwig Tesdorpf in Stuttgart. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey installed instruments of this sort in its several magnetic observatories in 1902, and used them to calibrate field instruments. This one was used at Sitka, Alaska.
Ludwig Tesdorpf began in business in 1861, specializing in instruments for astronomy and geodesy. American scientists could see Tesorpf instruments at the Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893 and at the World's Fair held in St. Louis in 1904. By 1906 the firm had been acquired by Sartorius.
Ref: K. Haussmann, "Der Magnettheodolit von Eschenhagen-Tesdorpf," Zeitschrift für Instrumentenkunde 26 (1906): 2-15.
L. A. Bauer and J. A. Fleming, "Magnetic Observatories of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey," Report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Showing the Progress of the Work from July 1, 1901, to June 30, 1902, Appendix No. 5, p. 330.
- maker
- Tesdorpf
- ID Number
- PH*316505
- accession number
- 225703
- catalog number
- 316505
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- No Image Available
Photo-Recording Magnetometer
- Description
- This instrument was designed by J. Welsh at the Kew Observatory, made by Patrick Adie in London, and introduced in 1859. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey acquired this example in 1861 but, owing to the Civil War and subsequent lack of funds, put it in storage. In 1882, in cooperation with the International Polar Commission, the Survey installed this instrument in a magnetic observatory at Los Angeles, California. The instrument was moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1890, and later to Cheltenham, Maryland.
Ref: Balfour Stewart, "Account of the Construction of the Self-Recording Magnetographs at Present in Operation at the Kew Observatory of the British Association," Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (1859): 200-228.
C. A. Schott, "Results of the Observations Made at the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Magnetic Observatory, at Los Angeles, California," Report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for the Year 1890, Appendix No. 8, p. 244.
C. A. Schott, "Results of the Observations Recorded at the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Magnetic Observatory, at Los Angeles, California," Report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for the Year 1890, Appendix No. 9, p. 201.
- maker
- Adie, Patrick
- ID Number
- PH*316523
- accession number
- 225703
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
- No Image Available
Orth Game Counter, U.S. Patent Office Model
- Description
- This U.S. Patent Office model consists of four instruments similar to a Russian abacus. Each has a rectangular open wooden box, with metal rods that extend across the box and carry differing numbers of wooden beads. Wooden pieces divide the box into two or more compartments. Across the middle of each compartment is a flexible spring. Beads may be moved easily over the spring, but retain their position once moved. Two of the counters are specifically for use with games, one with two players and one with six. Another is divided into two sections for counting dollars and cents. The five rods in this device are numbered 0, 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000. The fourth counter has no wooden divider, and is intended for tallying from 0 to 99999.
- A mark on all four parts reads: UNIVERSAL TALLY MFG. Co. A second mark on all four parts reads: WILLIAMSPORT, PA. The first two counters have a mark that reads: RECORD OF GAME. The third part is marked: DOLLARS (/) CENTS. A mark on the final part reads: TALLY.
- According to the 1880 U.S. Census, Phillip Orth was born in Germany in about 1847. By 1880 he was living in Williamsport, Pa., with his wife and two sons. He worked as a bookkeeper.
- References:
- Philip Orth, “Improvement in Game-Counters,” U.S. Patent 203,189, April 30, 1878.
- U.S. Census, 1880.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1878
- patentee
- Orth, Philip
- maker
- Orth, Philip
- Universal Tally Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- MA*309320
- accession number
- 89797
- catalog number
- 309320
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center