Record

Hydrostatic press (detail), ordered by Joseph Bramah

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made in London

Postcard of Hydrostatic press (detail), ordered by Joseph Bramah.
000-180-000-913-C
© National Museums Scotland

Hydrostatic press (detail), ordered by Joseph Bramah

This is a detail of a hydrostatic press. The item formed part of the University of Edinburgh' s teaching apparatus, and was ordered from the inventor, Joseph Bramah (1748-1814) in 1807. Bramah worked as a cabinetmaker in London, but was also an inventor. He invented the 'Bramah lock', and patented his hydraulic press in 1795. This model would have been used in demonstration lectures during the first part of the 19th century.

This photograph shows a detail of the signature of the maker: 'J. Bramah / London / Inv't et fecit'.

When a fluid completely fills a vessel, and pressure is applied to any part of its surface, that pressure is transmitted equally throughout the whole of the enclosed fluid. The hydrostatic press can be used for the compression of malleable materials, such as the metal of coins, or of car bodies, or of waste paper into card.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-180-000-913-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1999.349
Date: Around 1800
c. 1807
Material: metal, brass, wood. Inscription: stamped twice on base 'B4' / Marked on model: 'J Bramah / LONDON / Invt et Fect'
Dimensions: 470 mm H x 345 mm L x 200 mm W
What: Hydraulic press, Bramah / model
Subject: 22. Physics and physical sciences
Who: John Playfair (Ordered machine)
Joseph Bramah, London (Maker)
Where: England, London
Event:
Description: Model of hydraulic press, made by Joseph Bramah, London, c. 1807
References:
  • For Bramah, see McNeil, Ian. Joseph Bramah: a century of invention 1749-1851. Newton Abbott, 1968. 
  • See article Bramah's Press. Glasgow Mechanics' magazine 3 (1825), pp 129-131. 
  • Turner, G. L'E. Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments. London, 1983, pp 88-89. 
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