Historical Apparatus Research Articles

Historical Apparatus at the University of Mississippi

Historical Apparatus at the University of Mississippi

Historic Apparatus

Historic Apparatus

Rayleigh Collection at the Science Museum

AMONG recent additions to the Science Museum, South Kensington, is a most interesting collection of apparatus used by the late Lord Rayleigh in the course of his scientific research. On the occasion of the unfortunate fire, last year, at Lord Rayleigh's home at Terling, Essex, a considerable quantity of apparatus was destroyed, but the historical apparatus was fortunately undamaged and the bulk of it has been generously given by the present Lord Rayleigh to the Science Museum, where it should prove a continual source of interest and inspiration to professional and amateur scientific workers alike. It is scarcely necessary to remind readers of NATUBE of the extent and importance of the late Lord Rayleigh's contributions to science. During a period of more than fifty years he published no fewer than 446 papers, every one of which made a distinct addition to our knowledge of the subject and was characterised by that lucidity and elegance of expression for which its author was renowned.

Historical apparatus of Rayleigh, discoverer of argon, threatened by fire

Historical apparatus of Rayleigh, discoverer of argon, threatened by fire

News and Views

SINCERE regret will be felt throughout the world of science at the destruction by fire of a large part of Lord Rayleigh's laboratory at Terling Place, Chelmsford, Essex, on Mar. 7. After taking his degree at Cambridge in 1865, the late Lord Rayleigh found great difficulties in getting opportunities for experimental research or instruction in laboratory work. Three years later he started experiments on his own account at Terling Place, and from there produced a number of papers which at once secured for him a position as a leader in physical science. When he resigned from the chair of experimental physics at Cambridge in 1884, he continued his researches in his private laboratory, and it was there that he carried out the precise determinations of the density of nitrogen which led to the discovery of argon. The simplicity of the apparatus used by the late Lord Rayleigh is well known, and most visitors to the laboratory were astonished that results of prime significance could be obtained with such modest equipments. We are glad to know that most of this historic apparatus has been saved as well as all books and papers belonging to the late Lord Rayleigh.

University and Educational Intelligence

GLASGOW.—The late Lady Kelvin of Largs, widow of Lord Kelvin, Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, and for more than fifty years professor of natural philosophy, has bequeathed to the University a legacy of 5000l., free of duty, to be applied by the Senate for promoting research and teaching of physical science in connection with the natural philosophy chair. One of the last public acts of the late Chancellor was to preside at the opening, in 1907, by their present Majesties (then Prince and Princess of Wales), of the magnificent Institute of Natural Philosophy, in which the work of the department is now conducted under his successor, Prof. A. Gray, F.R.S. A great variety of valuable researches have been carried out in the department since its opening. In recent months “war work” of a highly important character has occupied the professor and his staff. The Kelvin Foundation will handsomely supplement the existing endowments, provided by the Carnegie trustees and others, for instruction and investigation. A scheme for the application of the bequest is under the consideration of the Senate. Lady Kelvin has also bequeathed to the University all the decorations and medals conferred on the late Lord Kelvin. These will be displayed, with similar personal memorials of Glasgow professors and alumni, in the Hunterian Museum. A collection of historic apparatus, used by Lord Kelvin in his researches, is exhibited in the Natural Philosophy Institute.