Harvard Project Physics accelerometer
Date: 1962-1972
Inventory Number: 2006-1-0101
Classification: Physics Experiment
Subject:
Maker: Damon Engineering, Inc. (fl. 1962 - 1972)
Maker: Harvard Project Physics (1962-1972)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
3.8 × 26.9 × 17.8 cm (1 1/2 × 10 9/16 × 7 in.)
Description:
Accelerometer in original packaging.
From Project Physics catalog: "Used in experiments on Newton's Second Law, the Large Accelerometer is a transparent, rectangular-shaped plexiglass container desinged for use on a turntable. One side of the Accelerometer has a centimeter grid which is labeled from 0 to 12 centimeters in either direction horizontally from the center, and from 0 to 6 centimeters in either direction vertically...."
From Project Physics catalog: "Used in experiments on Newton's Second Law, the Large Accelerometer is a transparent, rectangular-shaped plexiglass container desinged for use on a turntable. One side of the Accelerometer has a centimeter grid which is labeled from 0 to 12 centimeters in either direction horizontally from the center, and from 0 to 6 centimeters in either direction vertically...."
Signedon packing slip: [crossed-ovals logo] DAMON
on packing slip: Project Physics
on packing slip: [crossed-ovals logo] DAMON / EDUCATIONAL DIVISION 80 WILSON WAY, WESTWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS 02090
on packing slip: Project Physics
on packing slip: [crossed-ovals logo] DAMON / EDUCATIONAL DIVISION 80 WILSON WAY, WESTWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS 02090
Historical AttributesThis apparatus was designed to be used with Project Physics, a national physics curriculum developed in the 1960s. Project Physics materials included teaching aids, apparatus for student experiments, and books.
The Project Physics Course grew out of a Harvard University initiative to teach all students physics, not just those who would go on to careers in science. The course aimed to be a "humanistically oriented" introduction to "science at its best."
Damon Engineering produced and marketed a set of Project Physics laboratory equipment in coordination with the curricular work of Harvard physics professor Gerald Holton, California high school science teacher F. James Rutherford, and Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Fletcher G. Watson.
The Project Physics Course grew out of a Harvard University initiative to teach all students physics, not just those who would go on to careers in science. The course aimed to be a "humanistically oriented" introduction to "science at its best."
Damon Engineering produced and marketed a set of Project Physics laboratory equipment in coordination with the curricular work of Harvard physics professor Gerald Holton, California high school science teacher F. James Rutherford, and Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Fletcher G. Watson.
Primary SourcesThe Project Physics Collection of course books is archived online here.
Linda J. Greenhouse, "Gerald Holton: The Discovery That Scientists Are Also Philosophers Should Not Depend On Accidents," The Harvard Crimson, December 12, 1966; found online here.
Linda J. Greenhouse, "Gerald Holton: The Discovery That Scientists Are Also Philosophers Should Not Depend On Accidents," The Harvard Crimson, December 12, 1966; found online here.
ProvenanceScience Center Physics Lab, Harvard University