The Wild-Fuess barometer that is located at the School of Physics is constructed from chrome and brass. It was designed to measure atmospheric pressure. Although its manufacture date is unclear the University of Melbourne is thought to have purchased the instrument sometime before the 1920’s.
The Wild-Fuess barometer is of German manufacture. It was made by Leppin & Masche of Berlin who also manufactured a variety of other scientific equipment. The instrument was designed from two existing barometers: the vessel-type barometer and the siphon barometer. By combining the positive features of both the errors of each were eliminated. Wild-Fuess barometers were a leader in their field and, as recorded by then Professor of Natural Philosophy (i.e. Physics) T.H Laby in 1924, they were also used by the Melbourne Weather Bureau.
Jacqueline Eager
Student Projects Placement, Cultural Collections 2005
A Diffraction grating consists of a plate (reflective or transparent) engraved with an extremely large number of fine parallel lines. It is used to analyse spectra by dispersing the light (say from a star) into its component colors or wavelengths. In the 1870’s spectroscopy had serious limitations as the diffraction gratings were relatively imprecise. Rowland in 1882 invented a ruling engine that produced spectra of superb resolution and accuracy. This ruling engine contained a screw of extreme accuracy. This main screw moved the grating an extremely small distance between each line to be ruled.
Henry Augustus Rowland (1848-1901) was born in Pennsylvania and, after refusing to follow family tradition by becoming a clergyman, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic in Troy, New York. In 1870 he completed a degree in civil engineering. After a short period away from the university he returned in 1872 as an instructor of physics.
Rowland shared many similarities with the University of Melbourne’s Professor T.H. Laby, particularly his love of research. Like Laby, Rowland felt that although teaching was important it was not the sole purpose of an academic institution. Rowland is said to have had ‘little interest in or talent for lecturing; instead … [he was] committed to raising the level of pure research in America’i. It is for perhaps this reason that in 1874 he was accepted as chair in physics at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Johns Hopkins, which has been described as ‘America’s first true research institution’ii, allowed Rowland to pioneer new experiments and theories.
Apart from the invention of his diffraction grating, Rowland is also remembered for experiments with electricity, magnetics and heat. He also became ‘an authoritative figure for the absolute value of the ohm’ iii. Rowland’s work did not go unnoticed and he was repeatedly acknowledged for his efforts. In 1890 he received a gold medal at the Paris Exposition for his gratings. He was also awarded the Rumford and Draper medals by the National Academy of Science for his accomplishments in research.
This engraving process used for the production of diffraction gratings is related to the production of graticules. Graticules are ‘small discs inscribed with measuring marks or scales for determining the size, distance, or position of objects’iv .
From February 1942 the Botany School at the University of Melbourne became the main graticule producer for Australia during the Second World War. Under the directive of the Optical Munitions Panel part of the Botany School became known as the ‘Graticule Annexe’. The project was supported not only by the Botany staff and students but also members of the Chemistry and Zoology departments. The Physics Laboratory at the University of Western Australia also assisted. Their work was particularly useful in relation to binoculars. Over 15,000 binoculars were requisitioned from the public for use by the military during the Second World War. Many of these needed graticules inserted into them to bring them up to standard .v
Jacqueline Eager
Student Projects Placement, Cultural Collections 2005
iStuewer, R.H., 'Henry Rowland:the ruler of the grating', Physics World, July 2001, p.47.
iiAPS News,op cit, p.3.
iiiAPS News,op cit, p.3.
iv Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne, 'Optical Munitions Panel (1940-1945)',http://www.austehc.unimeb.edu.au/umfs/biogs/UMFS264b.htm#online, accessed on 26.08.2005.
v'Optical Munitions Panel', Vol. 3 of Laby Files, Physics Museum's archive, University of Melbourne, p.9.
Three Dimensional Object (requires Quicktime): 3-2.obj
The magnetron held by the University of Melbourne’s School of Physics stemmed from the development of radar. During the Second World War radar developments were made by the Division of Radio Physics located in Sydney [i]. With such a large coastline to protect, the Australia Government had allocated time and funds to researching methods of shore protection. Along with the guidance of British radar development, Australian scientists developed ways of detecting enemy vessels arriving via the ocean.
This particular magnetron was created in 1944 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Valve Laboratory located within the University of Melbourne. The development of the instrument was overseen by Leslie Martin (1900 - 1983) and fellow physicist Eric Burhop (1911 - 1980). Martin was Officer in Charge of the Valve Laboratory in 1942, the first year the laboratory operated at the University of Melbourne. He took the position again in 1944 shortly before becoming Professor of Physics.
Through its construction this particular object represents the period in which it was made. Due to Australia’s involvement in the Second World War scientists often lacked the supplies that they needed. For this reason the magnetron incorporated an external copper cylinder for the body of the tube, a material not normally used for this purpose [ii]. After its development was complete samples of its technology were manufactured by three companies; The Wireless Valve Company, Metal Manufacturers and the laboratories of the Post Master General [iii].
The magnetron is a device which generates or amplifies high frequency electromagnetic waves. The geometry of the device together with the crossed electric and magnetic fields coerces electrons to bunch
together and follow cycloidal paths outside the magnetron cavities.
In the cylindrical magnetron a radial electric field is created by applying a voltage between the central cathode and the outer anode. Superimposed on this field is a radio frequency field and combined with the guiding perpendicular magnetic field the magnetron transfers energy from the D.C. battery to the radio frequency field.
The magnetron was essential to the development of radar during the second world war as it was the only reliable means of producing microwaves of the high power necessary for early radar devices.
Jacqueline Eager
Student Projects Placement, Cultural Collections 2005
i'Laby Era in 10 Minutes', Laby Files, Physics Museum's archive, University of Melbourne, p.2.
ii CSIR/Melbourne University Valve Laboratory, Physics Museum's archive, University of Melbourne, p.1.
iii 'Technology in Australia 1788-1988' http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/914.html, accessed on 26.09.2005.
Three Dimensional Object (requires Quicktime): 18-1.obj
3 cm dia oxidised copper cylinder held in construction jig (consisting of two flat square steel slabs clamped with bolts). Three copper through glass electrodes radiate out from the magnetron cylinder. Two of these tubes are small and adjacent to each other (filament leads).
Three Dimensional Object (requires Quicktime): 19-1.obj
Copper magnetron with disc-like body has three radiating electrodes each emerging through a copper to glass tube. Two of these are arranged on one side(= filament leads) and the other larger tube (collector/anode) is arranged diametrically opposite.
Three Dimensional Object (requires Quicktime): 20-1.obj
Part of magnetron case consisting of a hollow baseless copper cylinder (similar to Reg. No. 18). Copper vanes are arranged spoke-like inside body. Three glass tubes radiate out of the body (similar to Reg. no. 20).
Three Dimensional Object (requires Quicktime): 21-1.obj
The Machlett x-ray tube was produced to ‘provide electrostatic protection for the filament (cathode) so as to permit long life to be achieved at operating voltages in the range 100-300kV’i .
The x-ray tube was designed and manufactured by E. Machlett & Son who were specialists in scientific glass instruments. The American company, who were established in New York 1897, began as a single shop and soon grew into an internationally recognised firm. The Machlett x-ray tube was patented in April 1934, with the object at the School of Physics being dated to 1937. It is possible that the x- ray tubes were used by Professor T.H Laby’s x-ray groupii.
The development of the x-ray appears early on to have been a priority research topic at the University of Melbourne’s School of Physics. This interest was sparked by the appointment in 1889 of Professor T.R. Lyle. Lyle, who was head of the school until 1915, is thought to have been the first person in Australia to have taken a x-ray photograph iii. A photocopy of this photograph can be found in the School of Physics Archive. For this particular experiment Lyle actually made his own x-ray tube. His successor, Laby, continued to work with x-rays. During the 1920’s he worked on the x-ray spectra of atoms and in 1930 he, along with Dr C.E. Eddy, published Quantitative Analysis by X-Ray Spectroscopyiv . Also with Eddy Laby produced the landmark paper Sensitivity of Atomic Analysis by X-rays. Laby went on to have a x-ray spectrograph of his own design manufactured by Adam Hilger Ltd.
Jacqueline Eager
Student Projects Placement, Cultural Collections 2005
iMachlett X Ray Tube, Physics Museum Archive, University of Melbourne, p.1
ii \'The School of Physics\' in the University of Melbourne\'s Official Opening of the New Physics Building, February 1974, p.7.
iiiibid, p.9.
History of object: This X-ray tube was designed to provide electrostatic protection for the filament (cathode) so as to permit long life to be achieved at operating voltages in the range 100-300kV. It is not certain whether the tube was in use within the School by Professor Laby’s X-ray group or whether it was presented to the School by a medical user. It would be somewhat surprising if it fitted into this School of Physics Research Program at a date as late as 1933 when tubes with demountable anodes were in use.
Planimeter consisting of brass disc and measuring instrument made of white disc and attached bar. To measure area up to about the size of one A4 page. The instrument is stored in a black hinged box with purple velvet lining and small metal catches. Instruments instructions are attached to a label on the inside of the case. A small key is attached to the case lid by string. (23.1 = box, 23.2 = brass disc, 23.3 = planimeter)
Student Potentiometer (Type D-73-E) set in wooden box with lid. Black control panel with various dials:two for VOLTS & MILLI-VOLTS; others for galvanometer sensitivity, battery rheostats, etc. 24.1 = potentiometer 24.2 = lid
Olive green enamelled stereoscope enclosed in olive green wooden hinged box. Two test stereoscopic pictures of a rhino also kept in box. A wooden oddment (10 cm) is also enclosed.
