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History of Science Museum

Double-Tube Barometer by John Newman, London, 1820-1840

Inventory Number 13215


Item type
Object
Provenance
Transferred from the University Museum per Dr Brian Atkins in 1994. Made for William Prout F.R.S. (1785-1850). Described as being given to the University Museum by W. F. Prout in 1860.
Object type
Barometer
Inventory No
13215
Accession Number
1995-16

Description

A copy of the standard barometer made by John Newman for the Royal Society, made for the physician and chemist William Prout F.R.S. (1785-1850). Made to stand rather than hung. Wooden framework with a double glazed head where the back panel slides out, while the front panel is hinged with a clasp. It houses two thick glass tubes containing large quantities of mercury, with a trough of mercury at the base. This has a sliding cover and a porthole. The porthole is loose. There is a horizontal spirit level in the boxed base section. There is a secondary mercury thermometer attached to the silvered copper alloy scale section. There is a central rod of copper alloy, possibly present for strength or support.

1 - Barometer.

2 - Container of Mercury from Barometer.