Seven 1/4 scale models of apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Seven 1/4 scale models of apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

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© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Seven 1/4 scale models of apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz, Science Museum workshops, South Kensington, 1949. Pt1 = 2 parabolic zinc reflectors, one with oscillator and other with resonator; Pt2 = plane zinc reflector; Pt3 = Open oscillator with spherical radiators; Pt4 = 3 wooden prisms; Pt5 = wire screen in wooden frame; Pt6 = apparatus for stationary wave experiments (a long cylinder of 24 copper wires)

Seven 1/4 scale models of apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz, Science Museum workshops, South Kensington, 1949.

These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Details

Category:
Radio Communication
Object Number:
1949-52
Materials:
wood (unidentified), metal (unknown), zinc (metal), brass (copper, zinc alloy), paint, pine (wood), steel (metal), wax and glass
Measurements:
wooden prisms (Pt4): 410 mm x 145 mm x 305 mm, 1.41 kg
wire screen (Pt5): 500 mm x 500 mm x 10 mm, .17 kg
parabolic zinc reflector (Pt1): 550 mm x 330 mm x 220 mm, 1.15 kg
plane zinc reflector (Pt2): 485 mm x 225 mm x 225 mm, .51 kg
type:
scientific equipment
credit:
Made by Science Museum Workshops

Parts

Models of two parabolic zinc reflectors used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Models of two parabolic zinc reflectors used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model (scale 1:4) of two parabolic zinc reflectors used by Heinrich Hertz, one with oscillator and the other with resonator, made by the Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, London, England, 1949

More

Model (scale 1:4) of two parabolic zinc reflectors, one with oscillator and the other with resonator, made by the Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, London, England, 1949.

These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Materials:
zinc (metal) , metal (unknown) , copper (alloy) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
1949-52 Pt1
type:
scientific equipment
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Model of plane zinc reflector used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model of plane zinc reflector used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model (scale 1:4) of plane zinc reflector used by Heinrich Hertz, made by the Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, London, England, 1949.

More

These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Measurements:
overall: 485 mm x 255 mm x 225 mm, .51 kg
Materials:
zinc (metal) , wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1949-52 Pt2
type:
scientific equipment
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Model of open oscillator with spherical radiators used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model of open oscillator with spherical radiators used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model (scale 1:4) of open oscillator with spherical radiators used by Heinrich Hertz, Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, London, England, 1949.

More

These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Object Number:
1949-52 Pt3
type:
scientific equipment
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Models of three wooden prisms used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Models (scale 1:4) of three wooden prisms used by Heinrich Hertz, made by the Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, London, England, 1949.

More

These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Materials:
wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1949-52 Pt4
type:
scientific equipment
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Model of wire screen in octagonal frame used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model of wire screen in octagonal frame used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Model (scale 1:4) of wire screen in octagonal frame used by Heinrich Hertz, made by the Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, London, England, 1949.

More

These are quarter-scale models of the apparatus used by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to attempt to prove experimentally the theory of James Clerk Maxwell that electromagnetic waves behaved in the same way as light. In the years 1886 to 1891 Hertz conducted a classic series of experiments which are some of the most important in science. He designed apparatus for generating and detecting electric waves. He studied them to prove that they possessed all the properties of light and radiant heat. They could be reflected, refracted and polarised and their velocity was 300,000 kilometres per second. In doing so he validated Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism and began the progressive opening-up of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Measurements:
overall: 500 mm x 500 mm x 10 mm, .17 kg
Materials:
wood (unidentified) , copper (alloy) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1949-52 Pt5
type:
scientific equipment
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
1/4 scale model of appartus for stationary wave experiments (long cylinder of 24 copper wires) used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

1/4 scale model of appartus for stationary wave experiments (long cylinder of 24 copper wires) used by Heinrich Hertz, 1949

Apparatus for stationery wave experiments (a long "cylinder" of 24 copper wires), Science Museum Workshops, South Kensington, 1949

Object Number:
1949-52 Pt6
type:
scientific equipment