Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope

Made:
132 CE in United Kingdom and China
designer:
Zhang Heng
Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD, cut away to show internal mechanism

The Chinese astronomer, mathematician and seismologist, Zhang Heng (78-139 AD) described the earliest seismoscope known in about 132 AD. Arriving shock waves displace a pendulum linked to a mechanism which opens the jaws of the dragon facing the direction of the earthquake. A ball falls from the dragon's teeth into the mouth of a toad below to record the event.

Details

Category:
Geophysics
Object Number:
1976-107
Materials:
wood and brass
Measurements:
overall: 365 mm x 630 mm x 500 mm, 10kg
type:
seismoscope
credit:
British Broadcasting Corporation.