Set of eight tuning forks

Set of eight tuning forks by R. Konig.

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Set of eight tuning forks by R. Konig.
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Set of eight tuning forks by R. Konig.

Set of eight tuning forks by R. König.

The invention of tuning forks is credited to John Shore, a trumpeter at the English court in the early 18th century. However, they only became scientific instruments a century later. Koenig was an instrument-maker and acoustical researcher who specialised in producing the very best tuning forks, to be used as frequency standards. These forks sound the eight notes of an octave. The lengths of the forks relate inversely to their frequencies, so the relationships of the pitches can be visualised when they are in the box.

Details

Category:
Acoustics
Object Number:
1968-634
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy), steel and wood
Measurements:
box: 100 mm x 560 mm x 343 mm,
type:
tuning fork
credit:
Royal Naval College