Copper pressure vessel, used by Frederick Power (1853-1927)

Copper pressure vessel with spout, part of the laboratory apparatus of Frederick Power (1853-1927), American Chemist and Chief Scientist at Wellcome Chemical Research laboratories, 1896-1914. The vessel, likely was used as a still, also features a glass tube sticking out of the top with a stopper marked “BA”, a glass tube at the side with orange rubber attachments, and is labelled 456.

This copper vessel was likely part of distillation apparatus used in chemical laboratory experiments that required heat and pressure. It was used in the laboratory of Frederick Power (1853-1927), an American Chemist who in 1896 became the Chief Scientist at Wellcome Chemical Research laboratories in London. During his career he examined the constituents of plant-based medications including investigating Chaulmoogra oil, which was noted for its use in traditional Indian medicine as a treatment for leprosy.