Spectroscope Kit

Spectroscope Kit

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Description
This kit consists of a small direct vision spectroscope, a support rod, six test tubes, and assorted paraphernalia. The “Franz Schmidt & Haensch / Berlin, S.” inscription on the case refers to an optical instrument firm that began in business in 1864, and that trades today as Schmidt & Haensch.
Franz Schmidt & Haensch began making these instruments in the 1870s, and displayed some at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. The accompanying publication mentioned “Browning’s Pocket Spectroscope with 3 prisms, movable slit and reflecting prism for examining the spectra” as well as the complete apparatus with universal stand according to the German photochemist, H. W. Vogel.
Ref: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mechanik und Optik, Special Catalogue of the Collective Exhibition of Scientific Instruments and Appliances (Berlin, 1893), p. 71.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
spectroscope kit
date made
late 19th century
maker
Franz Schmidt & Haensch
place made
Germany: Berlin
Measurements
overall: 12 1/2 in; 31.75 cm
overall in case: 2 3/8 in x 13 1/8 in x 7 1/4 in; 6.0325 cm x 33.3375 cm x 18.415 cm
ID Number
1987.0924.03
catalog number
1987.0924.03
accession number
1987.0924
Credit Line
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
subject
Science & Scientific Instruments
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Science & Mathematics
Optics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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