Mercury Thermometer

Mercury Thermometer

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Description
This tiny mercury-in-glass thermometer is mounted on a silver scale that extends from -20 to +40 degrees, and that is marked "Reaur." The reference is to René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, a French scientist who, in 1730, proposed a temperature scale according to which water froze at 0 degrees and boiled at 80 degrees. The thermometer is protected by a black leather case, and was probably designed for a traveler.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
thermometer
Measurements
case: 3 11/16 in; 9.398 cm
overall in case: 3/4 in x 3 7/16 in x 1 1/4 in; 1.905 cm x 8.73125 cm x 3.175 cm
ID Number
PH.325407
catalog number
325407
accession number
256201
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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