Cage, part of apparatus to demonstrate properties of radiant heat

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This iron wire cage, part of an apparatus to demonstrate the properties of radiant heat, dates from the early 19th century.

The cage is supported by an iron rod which is screwed into a saucer-shaped disk mounted on a tripod. A circular hinged door above the cage is pierced with seven holes.

The cage was used in conjunction with parabolic mirrors and thermometers to show heat and cold could be reflected from mirrors. A hot sphere or block of ice was placed in the cage and the mirrors set up to reflect the heat radiation onto a thermometer.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-044-107-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1858.275.6
• Date: Early 19th century
  
• Material: Cage, ice placing / mirror, parabolic
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Cage, ice placing / mirror, parabolic
  
• Subject:
• Who: Edinburgh University (Owner)
  Joseph Black (Possible owner)
  Professor Gregory (Possible owner)
  Professor Hope (Possible owner)
  
• Where: Scotland
  
• Event:
• Description: One of a collection of apparatus and instruments from Edinburgh University used by Professors Black, Hope and Gregory - a cage for placing ice in the focus of a parabolic mirror
  
• References:
  • Anderson, R. G. W., The Playfair Collection. Edinburgh: 1978, pp 80-1 
• Translations:
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