Object Details
maker
Fauth & Co.
designer
Ferrel, William
Description
In 1872, the British physicist William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin) devised a machine to simulate mechanically the combination of periodic motions that produce tides. Inspired by this example, William Ferrel of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey designed a tide predictor and had it built by the Washington, D.C., firm of Fauth and Company. This elegant machine was more compact than that of Thomson, and gave maxima and minima rather than a continuous curve as output. It was designed in 1880, went into service in 1883 and remained in use until 1910. The success of Ferrel's tide predictor suggested the feasibility of replacing calculations performed by people with computation by machines.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Transfer from U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
Date made
1883
1880
used during
1883-1910
ID Number
MA.315917
catalog number
315917
accession number
223203
Object Name
harmonic synthesizer
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
glass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 62.2 cm x 46.5 cm x 34.3 cm; 24 1/2 in x 18 5/16 in x 13 1/2 in
Place Made
United States: District of Columbia, Washington
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Mechanical Integrators and Analyzers
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_997047