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Dear all,
The object is a Crookes radiometer - see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crookes_radiometer ; developed by William
Crookes (1832-1919) round about 1875-1877; often referred to as a 'light
mill', as suggested by Christine below. A fascinating bit of kit!
Cheers
Ben Russell
Curator, Mechanical Engineering
Science Museum
Exhibition Road
London
SW7 2DD
T: 0207 942 4908
F: 0207 942 4103
E: [log in to unmask]
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Social History Curators Group email list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Johnstone, Christine
Sent: 27 June 2007 11:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SHCG-LIST] Mystery Object
This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message,
your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the
author of this message.
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It's a scientific model/toy, which demonstrates the power of sunlight -
light converting to heat converting to energy etc. I used a modern one
with rollers when I did physics A level, the sunlight moved the vanes
and their axle along rails inside the glass. I also had a modern one
just like the image as an ornament when I was a student. From memory,
they only work in a vacuum, because the very slight sunlight effect
would otherwise be counterbalanced by the air molecules, and it wouldn't
work.
Christine
Christine Johnstone
Principal Cultural Officer: History, Wakefield Cultural Services
Wakefield Museum, Wood St, Wakefield, WF1 2EW
Tel: 01924 305350 Fax: 01924 305353
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
web-site: www.wakefieldmuseums.org and www.wakefield.gov.uk
Exhibitions in the district:
Facade - Wakefield Art Gallery
Patterns of Change - Wakefield Museum
The 60s and Pontefract - Pontefract Museum
Online Catalogues:Toys, Castleford ceramics and Bagley's glass Click on
collections in www.wakefieldmuseums.org
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Social History Curators Group email list
[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Copp, Chris (C&LL)
> Sent: 27 June 2007 11:20
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [SHCG-LIST] Mystery Object
>
> This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message,
> your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the
> author of this message. ---------------
>
> Can anyone help identify this object?
>
>
>
> It's on display at the Borough Museum & Art Gallery,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, and apparently came from a watch and
clockmaker's shop. The metal blades revolve when in sunlight, so it
seems to be photoelectric...but why? It's about 18 inches tall.
>
>
>
> Many thanks
>
>
>
> Chris Copp
>
> Museums Officer
>
>
>
> Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service
>
> Shugborough
>
> Milford
>
> Stafford ST17 0XB
>
> tel: (01889) 881388, fax: (01889) 882461
>
> www.staffordshire.gov.uk/sams
>
> www.staffspasttrack.org.uk
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