Name/Title
Thermo-Electric PileEntry/Object ID
2013.3.80Description
This is also knows as a Thermo-electric battery.
"An instrument composed of a number of alternate bars, generally of bismuth and antimony, by which small changes in temperature are rendered sensible by the production of an electric current, the presence of which is shown by means of a galvanometer." (Brande and Cox, "A Dictionary of Science" 3 vols. Rev., 1875.) This instrument was first constructed in 1834 by Nobili. It was designed for experiments and demonstration on heat and electricity, and is often used in conjunction with heat reflectors. This pile cell is hinged and can be raised or lowered.
This particular apparatus bears the inscription "Elliott Bros. London, No. 355." One similar to it appears in the 1895 catalogue of his manufacturer.Collection
Moosnick Museum - Scientific Apparatus