Object Details
maker
Henry Ware
Description
Patent model for Ralph Reeder, "Mariner's Time Compass," U.S. Patent #4,964 (1847). The inscription reads "Ralph Reeder Patentee, Cincinnati, Ohio. HENRY WARE, MAKER, CINCINNATI, O." Henry Ware (1810-1885) was a leading instrument maker in Cincinnati.
Scientific American reported that this instrument combines "three important uses." It shows "the local variation of the magnetic needle with unerring certainty," "the altitude of the sun, and thus enables the mariner readily to compute latitude." and "the true time" and thus "by the aid of the chronometer, shows the longitude." Despite journal's opinion that Reeder’s instrument "appears to be a practically useful invention," the Mariner’s Time-Compass was not a commercial success.
Ref: "Improved Nautical Instrument," Scientific American 12 (1856): 4.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840s
ID Number
PH.309345
catalog number
309345
accession number
89797
patent number
4,964
Object Name
Nautical Compass
Object Type
Patent Model
Measurements
overall: 15 in x 8 in; 38.1 cm x 20.32 cm
overall: 16 in x 9 in; 40.64 cm x 22.86 cm
place made
United States: Ohio, Cincinnati
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Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1167860