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 70 items.
Page 1 of 7
Keuffel & Esser Model 1868 Semicircular Protractor
- Description
- By the 20th century, the makers of drawing instruments transitioned to new and inexpensive materials, particularly for objects intended for student use. This semicircular xylonite protractor is divided by half-degrees and marked by tens from 0° to 180° in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. An upside-down T marks the origin point. The maker's mark forms a circle to the left of the origin point: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co (/) N.Y. Above the origin point is the K&E product number (1868) and diameter in inches (6). The company logo, the top half of an eagle, is to the right of the origin point. Underneath the logo are the words TRADE MARK. There is a hole just above the maker's mark to the left of the origin point. Perhaps the hole enabled the owner to store the protractor in a notebook.
- K&E marketed this protractor at least as early as 1909. It was intended to replace protractors made of horn. By 1936, K&E gave the instrument a new product number, 1276-6. This example of the protractor is yellowed and slightly warped.
- Alfred John Betcher (1887–1971) used this protractor, perhaps at the University of Minnesota (1906) or at West Point (1907–1911). He was commissioned as a captain, served at posts in New York, Vermont, and Kentucky, and retired in 1939 at the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1940, he was elected mayor of Canajoharie, N.Y.
- Reference: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser (New York, 1909), 214. Biographical information in accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1909-1936
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1982.0386.05
- accession number
- 1982.0386
- catalog number
- 1982.0386.05
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4078 Duplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This 20-inch mahogany linear slide rule is coated on the front and back with white celluloid; the edges are bare. The scales are labeled on the right end of each side. On both sides, the top of the base has an A scale, and the bottom of the base has a D scale. On one side, the slide has B and C scales; on the other, the slide has BI and CI scales. The rule has two indicators: the original brass double-chisel style indicator, and the frameless glass with plastic edges that Keuffel & Esser adopted in 1915. According to the donor, the second indicator was acquired some years after the original slide rule.
- The bottom of the base on one side and the chisel indicator on the other side are both marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co. NEW-YORK. The bottom of the base is also engraved: CHAS. C. BRUSH 1901. The symbol for pi has also been scratched on the D scale on that side. On the other side, the bottom of the base is marked: PAT. OCT. 6. 1891. One edge of the frameless indicator is marked: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. For information on these patents, see MA*318477 and MA*318475.
- The cardboard case is covered with brown morocco leather. It is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. (/) DUPLEX (/) SLIDE RULE. See the similar case for MA*326613.
- According to the donor, the instrument was used by his father, Charles C. Brush (1880–1968), who graduated from high school in Philadelphia in 1898 and subsequently studied at the Franklin Institute. He received a certificate from the School of Naval Architecture there in 1904. The model 4078 is only listed in Keuffel & Esser catalogues for 1901 and 1903, priced at $16.50. The catalog evidence and the date on the slide rule make it reasonable to suppose that Brush acquired the slide rule in the course of his studies. Charles C. Brush was then associated with the Bureau of Lighthouses from 1917 to 1939. When the Lighthouse Service ended in 1939, he served as a marine engineer in the engineering department of the U.S. Coast Guard until his retirement in 1944.
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 30th ed. (New York, 1900–1901), 296; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 31st ed. (New York, 1903), 306; accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1901-1903
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1977.0370.01
- accession number
- 1977.0370
- catalog number
- 335926
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 510 Beam Compass
- Description
- This German silver instrument has steel and brass points. Two trammels have thumbscrews for fastening to a wooden bar (not included) and for attaching one of the five points. One trammel has a micrometer and is marked on the front: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co. N.Y. GERMANY. The back is marked: PARAGON. Above this mark is scratched: CE1RD. Compare this mark to 1978.2110.02.
- The attachments include a pencil point, an adjustable pen point, two steel needle points, and one brass needle point. A rectangular wooden case is covered with morocco leather and lined with green velvet. The bottom of the case is marked: GERMANY.
- K&E sold this instrument as model number 510 at least as early as 1892, but the Paragon brand was not introduced until 1901. By 1936 the points were stainless steel instead of steel. The price with case was $10.25 in 1909.
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co. , 23rd ed. (New York, 1892), 34; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co. , 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 69; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co. , 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 66; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co. , 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 107, 121.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1901-1936
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1978.2110.03
- accession number
- 1978.2110
- catalog number
- 336729
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4053-3 Polyphase Mannheim Duplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch one-sided wooden slide rule is coated with white celluloid. The indicator is glass with white plastic edges attached by metal screws. The base has A, D, and K scales. The slide has B, CI, and C scales on one side of the slide and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The top and bottom edges are beveled; the top has a simply divided scale 10 inches long and divided to sixteenths of an inch, while the bottom has a simply divided scale 25 centimeters long and divided to millimeters.
- The left end of the slide has the model number in red: 4053-3. The right end is marked in red: © (/) K+E. The left end of the back of the slide has a serial number: 169518. Underneath the slide is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.; MADE IN U.S.A. Engraved directly on the back of the rule are tables of measures labeled: CONVERSION FACTORS. Centered underneath the tables is: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.
- Keuffel & Esser made slide rules of this type from 1909 to 1967. McCoy notes that this version of model 4053-3 (with this model number and the engraved tables) was introduced in 1954. In 1959, the rule sold in a plain case for $13.50. In 1962, model number 4053-3 was changed to 68-1622. The serial number suggests a date closer to the late 1950s than to the early 1960s. Compare to the earlier rule, 1981.0933.05.
- References: Peter M. Hopp, Slide Rules: Their History, Models, and Makers (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 1999), 192; Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4053 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4053family.htm; K+E Catalog, 42nd ed. (New York, 1954), 271; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; Eric Marcotte, "The Evolution of a Slide Rule – The K&E 4053-3," http://www.sliderule.ca/4053.htm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1954-1962
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0922.08
- accession number
- 1981.0922
- catalog number
- 1981.0922.08
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4092 Log Log Duplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch mahogany duplex slide rule is faced with yellowed white celluloid and held together with corroded L-shaped end pieces. On one side, the base has A and D scales, with B, S, and C scales on the slide. The left end of the slide is marked in red: < 4092 >. The bottom of the base is marked in red: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; PAT. JUNE 5. '00 DEC. 22. '08. On the other side, the base has LL1, LL2, LL3, D, and L scales, with C, T, and CI scales on the base. The indicator is frameless glass with plastic edges fastened with screws. One edge is marked: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15.
- Keuffel & Esser of New York offered model 4092 from about 1909 to 1921. The frameless glass indicator was introduced in 1915. The rule sold for $8.00 from 1909 through 1915 and for $12.50 in 1921. This example fits in a cardboard case covered with black leather and marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co. (/) LOG. LOG. (/) SLIDE RULE. For instructions, see 1981.0993.02. Later examples of K&E Log Log slide rules in the collections include 1984.1068.02, MA*318479, 1990.0687.01, 1986.0790.03, and 1987.0085.01.
- The donor, William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008), studied electrical and mechanical engineering at The George Washington University between 1925 and 1934. He then worked for the Potomac Electric Power Company and the National Bureau of Standards. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was a civilian construction management engineer for the army from 1954 to 1968, when he became a private consultant.
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 312; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 35th ed. (New York, 1915), 304; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 240; "The GW Engineering Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees," http://www.weas.gwu.edu/ifaf/hall_of_fame_inductees_2006.php.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1915-1921
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.01
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.01
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4088-3 Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch mahogany duplex linear slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. The front of the base has DF and D scales, with CF, CIF, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < 4088-3 >. The bottom of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5. '00 DEC.22.'08 KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A. The owner's name is scratched on the slide and on the base: ELLENBERGER.
- The back of the base has K, A, D, and L scales, with B, S, T, and CI scales on the slide. A serial number is at the left end of the slide and on the front edge: 161313. The indicator is frameless glass with white plastic edges and metal screws. One edge is marked: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. A cardboard case covered with blue leather is not original to this object and is marked: MICRONTA (/) Made in Germany. It also has an owner's label: Wm. J. Ellenberger.
- Keuffel & Esser Company of New York added a B scale to model 4088-3 in 1922. The indicator was modified in 1936. The serial number suggests a manufacturing date around 1927. Between 1922 and 1936, model 4088-3 sold in a box for $8.50. For instructions, see 1981.0933.04 and 1981.0933.06. Compare this example to MA*318476, MA*318480, and MA*321778.
- William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008) was born in Nashville, Tenn. He enrolled in The George Washington University in 1925, earning BS degrees in electrical engineering (1930) and mechanical engineering (1934). It seems likely that Ellenberger acquired and used this slide rule while he studied at GWU. He went on to work for the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the National Bureau of Standards, and the U.S. Army.
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 239; Keuffel & Esser Co., Slide Rules and Calculating Instruments (New York, 1922), 8–9; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 314–315; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1922-1936
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.03
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.03
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser N4053-3 Polyphase Mannheim Simplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch one-sided mahogany slide rule is coated with white celluloid. The top is beveled and bears a scale of nine inches whose ends may have broken off. The base has A, D, and K scales. The slide has B, CI, and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The indicator is glass with plastic edges held together with metal screws. The top plastic edge is broken. The front edge of the rule has a scale of 25 centimeters. A paper table of equivalents and slide rule settings, based on U. S. Bureau of Standards Circular No. 47, is pasted to the back of the rule. Compare the table to 1999.0254.01.
- The top of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5, 1900; KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; MADE IN U.S.A. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < N4053-3 >. The left end of the other side of the slide and the scale of centimeters have the serial number: 350305. The top of the base and under the slide are scratched with the initials: PML. The bottom plastic edge of the indicator is marked: PATENT 2,086,502, with K&E CO. N.Y., on the back of the edge.
- Keuffel & Esser of New York sold this slide rule as model N4053-3 from 1925 through 1953. Illustrations in K&E catalogs include the patent date of June 5, 1900, from 1925 through 1934. The serial number suggests the rule was made closer to 1934. However, the patent on the indicator was issued in 1937, suggesting that this part was replaced after the rule was purchased. Compare to 1981.0922.08.
- William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008) donated this object. He studied electrical and mechanical engineering at The George Washington University between 1925 and 1934. He then worked for the Potomac Electric Power Company and the National Bureau of Standards. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was a civilian construction management engineer for the army from 1954 to 1968, when he became a private consultant.
- References: Adolf W. Keuffel, "Runner for Slide Rules" (U.S. Patent 2,086,502 issued July 6, 1937); Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4053 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4053family.htm; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; Wayne E. Feely, "K & E Slide Rules," The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 49, no. 5 (June 1996): 50–52; "The GW Engineering Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees," http://www.weas.gwu.edu/ifaf/hall_of_fame_inductees_2006.php.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1925-1934
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.05
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.05
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4055 Favorite Simplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch mahogany linear slide rule is coated with white celluloid on the front and both sides of the slide. The base has A and D scales. The slide has B and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other. A paper table of equivalents and slide rule settings, based on U. S. Bureau of Standards Circular No. 47, is pasted to the back of the rule. See also 2001.0117.01. According to Eric Marcotte, this circular was in force from 1914 to 1936. Keuffel & Esser included it on slide rules from the 1920s to the 1950s.
- The indicator is glass with a plastic frame, of the style used by Keuffel & Esser between 1915 and 1937, based on the patent indicated by the mark on the top edge of the frame: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. The top of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5, 1900; KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; MADE IN U.S.A. For more on this patent, see MA*322761. Four expressions have been scratched into the front of the slide: x = A + B; ÷ = A – B; x – 1; ÷ + 1. The model number is printed at the right end in red: < 4055 >. The left end of the back of the slide and the front left corner of the base are marked with a serial number: 190673.
- The rule is in a cardboard case covered with black morocco leather and heavily taped. It is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER (/) FAVORITE (/) SLIDE RULE (/) 4055. It is also marked on the tape near one end: E. HELLER (/) ΣΦΕ. On the other side of that end, it is marked on the tape: PROPERTY OF (/) PETER (/) HELLER. K&E sold model 4055 from 1927 to 1943; the serial number suggests a date closer to 1927, when the instrument sold for $4.00. One owner of this slide rule was the mechanical engineer Edward Lincoln Heller (1912–2007), who received a BSfrom Lehigh University in 1934 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1939. It seems likely that he used the slide rule as a college student.
- References: Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 651,142 issued June 5, 1900); Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule Runner" (U.S. Patent 1,150,771 issued August 17, 1915); Eric Marcotte, "The Evolution of a Slide Rule – The K&E 4053-3," http://www.sliderule.ca/4053.htm; Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4055 Family," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4055family.htm; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; "Heller, Edward L.," American Men and Women of Science, 12th ed. (New York: J. Cattell Press, 1972), 2620.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1927-1943
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1984.1068.01
- catalog number
- 1984.1068.01
- accession number
- 1984.1068
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4092-3 Log Log Duplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch mahogany two-sided linear slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. On one side, the base has K, DF, D, and L scales, with CF, CIF, CI, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < 4092-3 >. The bottom of the base is marked in red: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; PAT. JUNE 5. '00 DEC. 22. '08 APRIL 1 '24; MADE IN U.S.A. On the other side, the base has LL0, A, LL3, LL2, and LL1 scales, with B, S, T, and C scales on the slide. The left end of the slide and the front of the base are marked with a serial number: 373480.
- The indicator is frameless glass with plastic edges held together with metal screws. One edge is marked: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. The rule fits in a brown leather case, which is marked on the front of the flap: 4092-3S. The top of the flap is marked: K & E (/) LOG LOG DUPLEX (/) SLIDE RULE. The names of several former owners of the rule are written on the case, including: Bill A.'s; Charles Potter; Theta Xi; Wm. Lund (/) 407 Delaware (/) Ave. (/) Bethlehem Penn.
- For information on the patents, see MA*322761, MA*318475, and MA*318479. Keuffel & Esser of New York introduced model 4092-3 in 1922 and in 1925 added a K scale to the rule and an N to the prefix of the model number. The prefix was dropped in 1936, but the indicator was replaced with a new version of K&E's frameless indicator. K&E stopped selling model 4092-3 in 1938, when it was priced with a leather case at $11.75. The serial number on this example is consistent with a manufacture date between 1936 and 1938, but the indicator is of the pre-1936 style. Compare to 1981.0933.01.
- References: K&E Slide Rules and Calculating Instruments (New York, 1922), 10–11; K&E Slide Rules and Calculating Instruments (New York, 1925), 10–11; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 318–319; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1936
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1984.1068.02
- catalog number
- 1984.1068.02
- accession number
- 1984.1068
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser Hairspring Compass
- Description
- This metal drawing instrument is heavily corroded. It has a cylindrical handle, grooves that allow the user to open the legs just a small amount, a thumbscrew adjusting the hairspring in the leg with the pencil point, and screws for adjusting the needle and pencil points. The legs are jointed, but they are too rusted to bend. The inside of the leg with the pencil point is marked near the top: KEUFFEL & ESSER N.Y.
- This instrument is advertised as model number 205 in K&E's 1881 catalog. It does not appear in the 1876 or 1892 catalogs. Gunther Mathies, a relative of the donor, emigrated from Germany in the early 20th century and worked for the Thomaston (Conn.) Clock Company. He also did photography, drafting, and surveying in the area during the Depression, and he may have acquired this object in the course of those endeavors.
- References: Michael Scott-Scott, Drawing Instruments (Aylesbury, England: Shire Publications Ltd., 1986), 5–6; Catalogue and Price-List of Keuffel & Esser Co., 9th ed. (New York, 1881); accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1876-1892
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1984.1070.03
- accession number
- 1984.1070
- catalog number
- 1984.1070.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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