J. & H. J. Green Minimum Thermometer
J. & H. J. Green Minimum Thermometer
- Description
- This is an alcohol-in-glass Rutherford-type thermometer. The back of the stem is milk glass. The clear front is marked "J. & H. J. Green. N.Y." and "Signal Service U.S. Army No. 14" and graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -90 to +135. It was made between 1879 and 1885 (when James Green worked in partnership with his nephew Henry).
- John Rutherford, a Scottish country doctor, devised this form in 1790. Green stated in 1900 that it was "the only one in general use." It has a black index inside the tube. "On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature the alcohol alone ascends the tube, leaving the end of the index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature."
- Ref.: Henry J. Green, Meteorological and Scientific Instruments (Brooklyn, 1900), p. 23.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- thermometer
- date made
- 1879-1885
- maker
- J. & H. J. Green
- place made
- United States: New York, New York City
- Measurements
- overall: 12 in; 30.48 cm
- overall: 12 in x 5/8 in; 30.48 cm x 1.5875 cm
- ID Number
- PH.317467
- accession number
- 230396
- catalog number
- 317467
- Credit Line
- U.S. Weather Bureau
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
- Measuring & Mapping
- Thermometers and Hygrometers
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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