Cumulative Recorder Built for B. F. Skinner by Ralph Gerbrands

Cumulative Recorder Built for B. F. Skinner by Ralph Gerbrands

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
This motorized instrument contains a rotating reel of paper with a recording pen tip. It has metal sides, a wooden door in front of the paper, and a plastic cover on top. The glass ink holder, as well as a mount for a second pen, are stored separately. The cumulative recorder was an improvement on the kymograph that allowed experimenters not merely to record of individual events, but acquire a cumulative record of animal behavior. It was invented by the psychologist B.F. Skinner. This is an early commercial model, manufactured by Ralph Gerbrands.
A mark on a tag on the motor on the left side reads in part: REG. U.S. Telechron PAT. OFF. (/) MOTOR MOVEMENT (/) TYPE 1M9A-10M V 110/120 (/) MOT MOD M 1855 CY 60 W 4. It also reads: U.S. PAT 1768386 2184342 (/) TELECHRON INC. (/) ASHLAND MASS MADE IN U.S.A.
References:
Kennon A. Lattal, “Steps and Pips in the History of the Cumulative Recorder,” Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 2004, vol. 82, 329-355.
Accession File.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Cumulative Recorder
date made
ca 1955
maker
Gerbrands, Ralph
Physical Description
metal (frame, carriage, pen holder, mechanism material)
plastic (cover material)
paper (paper material)
wood (door material)
glass (ink holder material)
Measurements
overall: 17 cm x 45 cm x 23.5 cm; 6 11/16 in x 17 23/32 in x 9 1/4 in
ID Number
1981.0997.03
accession number
1981.0997
catalog number
1981.0997.03
Credit Line
Gift of B. F. Skinner
subject
Psychology
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Teaching Machines
Science & Mathematics
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.