Hilger-Nutting Spectrophotometer used by Richard Alan Morton, Liverpool, 1927

This Hilger-Nutting spectrophotometer was used by British biochemist Richard Alan Morton (1899-1977) and colleagues from 1927, in the department of Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool, where Morton studied and later became Professor of Biochemistry.

The apparatus was designed to measure the absorption of light by a sample at different wavelengths within the visible spectrum, which was useful in identifying and quantifying substances in chemistry and biology. It consists of a light source, light deflectors, photometer, and spectrometer. Glass tubes were used as cells to contain solutions of samples for study. It was made by the scientific instrument maker Adam Hilger LTD, and was used to investigate the absorption spectrum of cobalt chloride.

Morton went on to apply spectroscopic methods to biological problems. He investigated the role of Vitamin D in preventing rickets, and researched Vitamin A in freshwater fish liver oils. During the Second World War, as part of the Accessory Food Factors Committee of MRC, he studied the role of Vitamin A within a volunteer group of conscientious objectors in Sheffield producing the report: Needs of Human Adults for Vitamin A. In 1942 he published the ‘Absorption spectra of Vitamins and Hormones’. In the 1960s he chaired the Committee on Food Additives.

Morton became Chair of the Biochemical Society and eventually donated the equipment to the Society. The Biochemical Society went on to donate it and a collection of scientific instruments to the Science Museum in 1981.

This Hilger-Nutting spectrophotometer was used by British biochemist Richard Alan Morton (1899-1977) and colleagues from 1927, in the department of Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool, where Morton studied and later became Professor of Biochemistry.

The apparatus was designed to measure the absorption of light by a sample at different wavelengths within the visible spectrum, which was useful in identifying and quantifying substances in chemistry and biology. It consists of a light source, light deflectors, photometer, and spectrometer. Glass tubes were used as cells to contain solutions of samples for study. It was made by the scientific instrument maker Adam Hilger LTD, and was used to investigate the absorption spectrum of cobalt chloride.

Morton went on to apply spectroscopic methods to biological problems. He investigated the role of Vitamin D in preventing rickets, and researched Vitamin A in freshwater fish liver oils. During the Second World War, as part of the Accessory Food Factors Committee of MRC, he studied the role of Vitamin A within a volunteer group of conscientious objectors in Sheffield producing the report: Needs of Human Adults for Vitamin A. In 1942 he published the ‘Absorption spectra of Vitamins and Hormones’. In the 1960s he chaired the Committee on Food Additives.

Morton became Chair of the Biochemical Society and eventually donated the equipment to the Society. The Biochemical Society went on to donate it and a collection of scientific instruments to the Science Museum in 1981.

This Hilger-Nutting spectrophotometer was used by British biochemist Richard Alan Morton (1899-1977) and colleagues from 1927, in the department of Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool, where Morton studied and later became Professor of Biochemistry.

The apparatus was designed to measure the absorption of light by a sample at different wavelengths within the visible spectrum, which was useful in identifying and quantifying substances in chemistry and biology. It consists of a light source, light deflectors, photometer, and spectrometer. Glass tubes were used as cells to contain solutions of samples for study. It was made by the scientific instrument maker Adam Hilger LTD, and was used to investigate the absorption spectrum of cobalt chloride.

Morton went on to apply spectroscopic methods to biological problems. He investigated the role of Vitamin D in preventing rickets, and researched Vitamin A in freshwater fish liver oils. During the Second World War, as part of the Accessory Food Factors Committee of MRC, he studied the role of Vitamin A within a volunteer group of conscientious objectors in Sheffield producing the report: Needs of Human Adults for Vitamin A. In 1942 he published the ‘Absorption spectra of Vitamins and Hormones’. In the 1960s he chaired the Committee on Food Additives.

Morton became Chair of the Biochemical Society and eventually donated the equipment to the Society. The Biochemical Society went on to donate it and a collection of scientific instruments to the Science Museum in 1981.

This Hilger-Nutting spectrophotometer was used by British biochemist Richard Alan Morton (1899-1977) and colleagues from 1927, in the department of Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool, where Morton studied and later became Professor of Biochemistry.

The apparatus was designed to measure the absorption of light by a sample at different wavelengths within the visible spectrum, which was useful in identifying and quantifying substances in chemistry and biology. It consists of a light source, light deflectors, photometer, and spectrometer. Glass tubes were used as cells to contain solutions of samples for study. It was made by the scientific instrument maker Adam Hilger LTD, and was used to investigate the absorption spectrum of cobalt chloride.

Morton went on to apply spectroscopic methods to biological problems. He investigated the role of Vitamin D in preventing rickets, and researched Vitamin A in freshwater fish liver oils. During the Second World War, as part of the Accessory Food Factors Committee of MRC, he studied the role of Vitamin A within a volunteer group of conscientious objectors in Sheffield producing the report: Needs of Human Adults for Vitamin A. In 1942 he published the ‘Absorption spectra of Vitamins and Hormones’. In the 1960s he chaired the Committee on Food Additives.

Morton became Chair of the Biochemical Society and eventually donated the equipment to the Society. The Biochemical Society went on to donate it and a collection of scientific instruments to the Science Museum in 1981.