














|
|

Select an item to
view from the list below or browse through the entire collection. To view
an enlargement click on the photo.
| |
Electric
Egg #10094
Unsigned
This electric discharge tube gets its name from its shape. A high
voltage connected to the top terminal produces an electrical discharge
from the inner electrode that changes in character as the air
is pumped out of the "egg."
References: Max Kohl Catalogue No. 100 (c.1927) p.844; Gerard
LE Turner, Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments, Berkeley,
1983, p.194.
|
| |
Geissler
and Crookes Tubes #10576, 10573, 10568
Unsigned
Heinrich Geissler (1814-1879) was a German inventor who devised
a way to pump out a vessel to a higher vacuum than had ever been
attained at the time. His sealed, evacuated glass tubes came to
be known as Geissler tubes. An electrical discharge through a
partially evacuated tube glows with a color depending on the type
of glass in the tube and the gas inside. Studies of discharges
in such tubes later led to the development of atomic physics.
Sir William Crookes (1832-1919) improved on Geissler's method
of evacuating vessels and by 1875 achieved vacuums of about 1/100
mm of mercury. An electrical discharge through the highly rarified
air in his tubes showed the existence of cathode rays culminating
in the discovery of the electron. Roentgen was using a Crookes
tube when he discovered x-rays in 1895.
References: Gerard LE Turner, Nineteenth Century Scientific
Instruments, Berkeley, 1983, pp.194-96; Otto Pressler, Elektrische
Vakuum-Röhren, Leipzig, 1914; Robert Bud and Deborah Jean
Warner, Instruments of Science: An Historical Encyclopedia, New
York, 1998, pp.279-81.
|
| |
Geissler
Tube Rotator #10538
Unsigned
A pair of Geissler tubes is connected to the arms of this rotator.
While connected to a high voltage, which causes a discharge in
the tubes, the arms are rotated, producing a spectacular display,
especially in a darkened room.
Reference: Otto Pressler, Elektrische Vakuum-Röhren, Leipzig,
1914, p.10.
|
| |
Coolidge
4UD X-ray Tube and Shield #10089
General Electric X-Ray Corp.
Electrons from a hot filament are accelerated by several thousand
volts to a metal target where the impacts produce x-rays. The
heavy outer shield is made of lead glass, which absorbs x-rays
going in unwanted directions. This form of x-ray tube, devised
by the American physicist William David Coolidge, led to the widespread
use of x-rays in industry and medicine.
Reference: Central Scientific Co. Catalog F (1923) p.194.
|
| |
X-ray
Milli-ammeter #10407
Victor
The depth of penetration of x-rays depends on the potential applied
to the x-ray tube while the dosage (or film darkening) depends
on the current to the tube and the time of exposure. X-ray machines
used for diagnosis or treatment therefore need to have voltmeters
and milliammeters for proper adjustment.
|
| |
Luminous
Tubes #10445, 10481
Unsigned
Spirals of foil pieces inside the tube provide a conducting path
for a high voltage discharge. Sparks between the pieces of foil
produce a beautiful display in a darkened room.
Reference: James W. Queen Physical Instruments Catalogue, 1888,
p.91-92.
|
|