Antique L.E. Knott Apparatus Co Reflecting Galvanometer Measuring Instrument 8"

Description

Early 20th century (circa 1900-1910s) reflecting galvanometer produced by the L.E. Knott Apparatus company of Boston, Massachusetts. Patented by P.H. Wynne.

"A reflecting galvanometer (also called a mirror galvanometer), an electrical testing instrument used to determine the presence, direction and strength of an electric current in a conductor. This model is of typical form, with a moving coil of many turns of fine wire encased within a permanent magnet, contained within a rectangular case with two opposing mirrors, on a circular turned wood base with three leveling screws and two binding posts. The first galvanometers had a magnetic needle that moved in response to the flow of current in a nearby conductor. Reflecting galvanometers such as this one improved the accuracy of these devices by using a moving beam of light that reflects off the mirrors and onto an external scale. The Harvard University Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments has the same model in its collection, which they say was used in the 1910s for classroom demonstrations in physics and electrical engineering laboratories to measure very small electrical currents and voltage differences." (Source: George Glazer)

"The L. E. Knott Apparatus Company was a Boston-based manufacturer and distributor of scientific instruments from 1896 to the 1930s." (Source: MIT Museum)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear/tarnish commensurate with use/age; one arm detached; missing panel on arms

Dimensions

6" x 8" (Diameter x Height)