Barometer

This special barometer without mercury, also known as a sympiesometer, dates from around 1850. It was retailed by Richard Millar, an optician and clockmaker based in Leith, and may have been made locally.

The semicircular sympiesometer is combined with a semicircular mercury thermometer. The instrument is inscribed 'IMPROVED SYMPIESOMETER', perhaps as an attempt to evade patent restrictions.

Richard Millar is one of two possible people, father and son, who had a watch and clockmaking business in Edinburgh and Leith between 1814 and 1860. The younger Richard Millar took over the premises of a bankrupt Leith instrument retailer in 1852.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-100-102-873-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1992.49
Date:	Around 1850 c. 1850
Material:	Inscription: R. Millar, Leith
Dimensions:
What:	Sympiesometer / thermometer
Subject:
Who:	Richard Millar, Leith (Optician)
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Leith
Event:
Description:	Circular, combined improved sympiesometer and thermometer, signed by Richard Millar, Optician, Leith, c. 1850
References:	Delehar, P., 'Market Place', Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, No. 36 (1993), pp 29-30
Translations:
Related Records:

< 1 of 1 > Back