Small galvanometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1888
This small galvanometer, manufactured in 1888 by Matthias Hipp of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a scientific instrument designed for use in conjunction with a chronoscope. , topped with a circular dial and pointer protected by a glass cover within a dark bezel.
It is equipped with two brass terminal posts for electrical connections and secondary adjustment knobs. According to the institution's documentation, this type of equipment was intended to facilitate the measurement of short time intervals, accurate to within one-thousandth of a second, often employed in experimental research such as psychology laboratories or military projectile testing.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1888
- Type
- Other scientific instrument
- Maker
- Matthias Hipp
- Function
- Measure short time intervals
- Usage context
- Scientific and military research
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Matthias Hipp
- Place of manufacture
- Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Design
- Visible features
- • Wooden square base with visible grain and terminal posts • Circular dial with graduated markings and a central pointer • Dark circular bezel enclosing a glass viewing window • Side-mounted adjusting screw with knurled grip
- Operational Function
- The instrument was designed to operate as a component of a larger timing system, specifically a chronoscope setup. This functionality supported the measurement of time intervals with high temporal resolution. In its laboratory application, the device functioned within systems that monitored physiological or mechanical responses. The electrical interaction enabled researchers to observe and record data with high precision, specifically related to the timing capabilities of the chronoscope to which it was attached.
- Construction and Design
- The galvanometer is constructed with a square wooden base, providing a foundation for the primary electrical and measuring components. A circular dial, marked with numerical divisions, is positioned atop this base, encased under a glass cover secured by a dark, circular bezel. The aesthetic features a combination of wood and metal, with the brass terminal posts extending from the top edge of the housing. The integration of adjustment knobs indicates a degree of manual control required for the calibration of the instrument. The design reflects a compact, specialized configuration suited for tabletop laboratory use, facilitating connection to larger experimental apparatus.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- The instrument was produced by the workshop of Matthias Hipp in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, during the late 19th century. Accessioned as 1889-38/2, it represents the technical output of a manufacturer known for precision timing equipment. The device is specifically identified by the Science Museum Group as part of their collection. The use of these instruments in military research and experimental psychology indicates the multidisciplinary nature of 19th-century scientific research. By facilitating the study of projectile speed and the speed of thought, instruments of this type supported the transition of experimental methodologies into diverse academic and practical fields during the late 1800s.
Identification
- Accession number
- 1889-38/2
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The specific operational state or current functionality is not described by the source
- Research required: The relationship between this galvanometer and the specific chronoscope model mentioned remains implicit