Amsler No. 2 Integrator

Amsler No. 2 Integrator

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Description
This German silver instrument is designed for measuring the area bounded by a closed curve (the integral of a function y), the moment of the enclosed surface (half the integral of y squared), and the moment of inertia of the enclosed surface (one third the integral of y cubed). The instrument has three tracing points, one fixed to the tracing arm and the other two movable. A heavy metal rail with a groove in it is used to guide the motion of two rollers of the integrator as well as the two movable tracer arms. The rail is stored separately. For related documentation see 1978.1095.02 and 1978.1095.03. This instrument was used by G. Bruce Newby, the father of the donor, who was a naval architect and apparently resided in Long Beach, California, at the time he ordered the device.
A mark on the instrument reads: J. Amsler. Another mark reads: Keuffel & Esser Co. (/) New York. Another mark reads: Alfred J. Amsler & Co. (/) Switzerland. A mark on a paper tag nailed to the inside of the lid reads: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. Another mark on this tag reads: No. 4286 Serial 1054. A mark on a paper tag pasted to the inside of the lid reads: Property of (/) G. BRUCE NEWBY (/) 83 Stratford Rd. (/) Berkeley, Calif.
For related documentation, see 1978.1095.02 and 1978.1095.03.
Reference: Accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Integrator
date made
1930
maker
Alfred J. Amsler & Company
place made
Switzerland: Schaffhausen
Physical Description
German silver (overall material)
wood (case material)
paper (tags material)
Measurements
case: 7.3 cm x 61.8 cm x 44 cm; 2 7/8 in x 24 11/32 in x 17 5/16 in
ID Number
1978.1095.01
catalog number
1978.1095.01
accession number
1978.1095
catalog number
336876
Credit Line
Gift of Clinton T. Newby
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Mechanical Integrators and Analyzers
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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