Beevers-Lipson strips in oak case
Date: 1936-1956
Inventory Number: 2002-1-0084a
Classification: Calculating Device
Subject:
Maker: English
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
case: 22 × 42.3 × 18.2 cm (8 11/16 × 16 5/8 × 7 3/16 in.)
Description:
A trapezoidal oak case with a hinged removable lid. It has metal dividers inside spaced 1cm apart. Between the dividers are approx. 4000 paper strips, each printed on one side with sequences of numbers.
Part of a set of two similar boxes, one labelled S [for sines], the other labelled C [for cosines]
Part of a set of two similar boxes, one labelled S [for sines], the other labelled C [for cosines]
Signedunsigned
Inscribedon plastic plate in front of box and on lid: C [for cosine]
FunctionBeevers-Lipson strips were a popular calculating method used by crystallographers to determine the structure of crystals before computers became available.
The determination of the structure of a crystal from an x-ray diffraction pattern is done by performing a Fourier Transform, a mathematical operation that requires the summation of long sequences of trigonometric functions (sines and cosines).
In this particular example, two boxes contain paper strips with numerical values of sines in one box and cosines in the other box. The calculations would be performed by temporarily arranging the strips vertically on a tray with spacers to contain them (2002-1-0084c). Once organized, they would be kept in organized slots in the boxes.
The strips were developed at Liverpool University in 1936 by Henry Lipson and Arnold Beevers. The inventors supplied them at a low price for researchers around the world.
Another example of a box of Beevers-Lipson strips can be found in King's College, London. Its picture is available online here.
The determination of the structure of a crystal from an x-ray diffraction pattern is done by performing a Fourier Transform, a mathematical operation that requires the summation of long sequences of trigonometric functions (sines and cosines).
In this particular example, two boxes contain paper strips with numerical values of sines in one box and cosines in the other box. The calculations would be performed by temporarily arranging the strips vertically on a tray with spacers to contain them (2002-1-0084c). Once organized, they would be kept in organized slots in the boxes.
The strips were developed at Liverpool University in 1936 by Henry Lipson and Arnold Beevers. The inventors supplied them at a low price for researchers around the world.
Another example of a box of Beevers-Lipson strips can be found in King's College, London. Its picture is available online here.
Curatorial RemarksThe similarity of these boxes with the one kept in Kings' College, London confirms their common origin.
ProvenancePrivate Donor, December 2002.
