Hand or Bladder Glass

Hand or Bladder Glass

Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
This swelled glass vessel open at both ends is designed for tactile experience of air pressure. In use, the larger end is placed on the plate of an air pump, the observer’s hand is placed on the smaller end, and the air is pumped out. Or, the smaller end can be placed on the plate, and the larger end covered with a bladder of some sort.
Ref: Benjamin Pike, Jr., Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue of Optical, Mathematical and Philosophical Instruments (New York, 1848), vol. 2, pp. 201-202.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
bladder glass
Measurements
overall: 9 1/8 in x 7 1/2 in; 23.1775 cm x 19.05 cm
overall: 9 1/8 in x 7 1/2 in; 23.1775 cm x 19.05 cm
ID Number
PH.315401.18
catalog number
315401.18
accession number
219414
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.