Hicks Solar Radiation Thermometer
Hicks Solar Radiation Thermometer
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- Description
- Mercury-in-glass thermometer with a blackened bulb. The scale extends from -20 to +200 degrees Fahrenheit, and is graduated by degrees and marked every 10 degrees. The stem is marked "No. 30 Patent 3647." This refers to the British patent for “Testing vacuum of solar thermometer” that was issued to J.J. Hicks, a meteorological instrument maker in London, in 1873. The surrounding glass container is marked "J. CALL New York."
- This may have been used by John William Draper, an American polymath who received the Rumford Prizein in 1875 for his long-standing work on solar radiation. It may also have been used by his son, Daniel Draper, a noted meteorologist.
- Ref: James J. Hicks, Illustrated & Descriptive Catalogue of Standard, Self-Recording, and Other Meteorological Instruments (London, about 1874), pp. 60-61.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- solar radiation thermometer
- thermometer
- date made
- 1870s
- maker
- Hicks, J. J.
- place made
- United Kingdom: England, London
- United States: New York, New York City
- Measurements
- overall: 16 in; 40.64 cm
- overall in box: 3 in x 16 5/8 in x 3 in; 7.62 cm x 42.2275 cm x 7.62 cm
- ID Number
- PH.333988
- catalog number
- 333988
- accession number
- 304826
- Credit Line
- John William Christopher Draper and James Christopher Draper
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
- Thermometers and Hygrometers
- Measuring & Mapping
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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