undetermined vacuum tube
Date: 1900-1950
Inventory Number: 2008-1-0072
Classification: Vacuum Tube
Subject:
Maker: American ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
9 x 61 x 3 cm (3 9/16 x 24 x 1 3/16 in.)
DescriptionThis instrument consists of a long glass tube with a wider middle section. This middle section contains a narrow inner glass tube with a spiraling portion, which is connected to the two narrower ends. Two side tubes on the narrow ends presumably allow gas to circulate through the innermost tube. Four thin insulated wires total, one pair at each end, extend all the way into the middle section; one pair terminates inside the first coil of the spiral (the end looks burned away), the second pair terminates in a kind of metal plug.
There's another identical but heavily corroded metal plug a little further into the tube, apparently unconnected to anything (maybe originally connected to the first pair of wires, the ones in the spiral, but that part of the wire burned away?). The second pair of wires runs through a tiny disk of wire mesh just before reaching the metal plug. Outside the tube a thin insulated wire runs from one end to the other, presumably connecting one wire in each pair together.
There's another identical but heavily corroded metal plug a little further into the tube, apparently unconnected to anything (maybe originally connected to the first pair of wires, the ones in the spiral, but that part of the wire burned away?). The second pair of wires runs through a tiny disk of wire mesh just before reaching the metal plug. Outside the tube a thin insulated wire runs from one end to the other, presumably connecting one wire in each pair together.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThe exact function of this instrument is unknown. Perhaps designed as a shop-built gas triode?
Curatorial RemarksSimilar to but simpler than 2008-1-0071.