 000-190-000-949-C © National Museums Scotland |
|
Barometer (detail), made by James Watt
This is a detail of a barometer made around 1760 in Glasgow by James Watt (1736-1819). The barometer is one of the very rare pieces surviving from the instrument-making period of James Watt's career.
The stick barometer has a brass plate with a sliding pointer and two scales. The right scale is marked 27-31 inches, the left 'VERY DRY/SET FAIR/FAIR/CHANGE/ RAIN/MCH. RAIN/ STORMY'. The plate is signed 'James Watt/ Glasgow' at the top.
Although Watt is famed as an engineer, he trained as a scientific instrument maker, initially in Glasgow, then for a year in London. Glasgow University appointed him as its mathematical instrument maker between 1757 and 1763.
Record details
To search on related items, click any linked text below.
Online ID: |
000-190-000-949-C |
Image Rights Holder: |
National Museums Scotland |
Project: |
0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project |
Ref: |
National Museums Scotland T.1975.51 |
Date: |
Around 1760
|
Material: |
Brass scale, wooden cistern and case. Inscription: James Watt Glasgow
|
Dimensions: |
886 mm H
|
What: |
Barometer, cistern tube
|
Subject: |
10. METEOROLOGY (Departmental Classification)
|
Who: |
James Watt, Glasgow (Maker)
|
Where: |
Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
|
Event: |
|
Description: |
Cistern tube barometer signed by James Watt of Glasgow
|
References: |
- Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 164-173
- Goodison, N. English Barometers 1680-1860. London: 1977
- Hills, Richard L, James Watt’s Barometers, Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society No. 60 (1999) pp 5-10
|
Translations: |
|
Related Records: |
|