Historic Scientific Instruments

Engravings of various historical scientific devices including hydraulic presses, microscopes, and printing presses. Showcases intricate designs and mechanics from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Illustration from 'Micrographia' 1665; by Robert Hooke, 1635-1703. Hooke's observations through various lenses, inspiring a wide public interest in the new science of microscopy.
Illustration from 'Micrographia' 1665; by Robert Hooke, 1635-1703. Hooke's observations through various lenses, inspiring a wide public interest in the new science of microscopy.
258 assets in this story
6145-46168841
Inventions; Salmans prints. Leaf with 11 performances of inventions such as the sewing machine, the barometer and the diving clock. Under every performance a caption. Numbered in the middle above: XX.
6176-67052278
Adam's still, 1886. Artist: Unknown
1746-28992100
Collection of Surveying tools and methods for measurements. Dated 18th Century
4443-73197603
Netherlands, Funckler, F.W., Two physical instruments, recto - printed, Above a model of a dial telegraph, below a self-acting circuit breaker., photograph, photo, page, photos, photographically illustrated books, No. 202., No. 206., height 222 mm, width 133 mm, photographer, 1857 - 1867, paper, papier, photographic paper, fotopapier, albumen print, albuminedruk
6145-52376770
The 'Inodoro.' Pl. 1140-G. The 'Perfecto' seat and cover. Pl. 1139-G.. text. Illustrations, Advertisements, Catalogs. 1877 - 1893. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Plumbing , Equipment and supplies , Catalogs
6145-29286546
Astronomy: a large telescope with a protractor pivot, on a tripod base. Engraving.
6176-66081803
1st century A.D. Bronze cylindrical food warmer. Pompei Tubular Grill Kettles. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1897
6145-42624876
N.N., Königsberger Seekanal. Signal mast, pointed and spier tonne: views, floor plan 1: 100, 1:20. Lithograph on paper, 32.6 x 49.5 cm (including scan edges)
4435-10382
Newton, Sir Isaac (1642-1727). English mathematician, physicist and astronomer. Page from the Treatise on optics by Isaac Newton. 1st book , 2nd part, table 1. Edition from 1704. SPAIN. CATALONIA. Barcelona. Biblioteca de Catalunya (National Library of Catalonia).
4390-117
Drawing of Submarine Explorer
4409-20993797
Chime work with engine and hammers located in the clock room of St. Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey Jr. from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1808.
6145-46713500
Skiopticon image from the Department of Photography at the Royal Institute of Technology. Use by Professor Helmer Bäckström as lecture material. Bäckström was Sweden's first professor in photography at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm 1948-1958.goldberg's densograph. The weakening of the light through the plate sample is compared to the weakening through various parts of a gritty. For more info see: Bäckström, Helmer. Photographic manual. Nature and Culture. Stockholm. 1942. p. 258.
1899-67416942
This illustration dates to the 1870s and shows a Bessemer converter. The caption reads: Bessemer Converter. A Front view, showing the mouth (c); B, Section. The Bessemer process was the first method discovered for mass-producing steel. It was named for Sir Henry Bessemer of England. The vessel, converter, in which it took place is shown here. It is an egg-shaped vessel, about 3.5 feet in diameter, made of wrought iron in two parts and lined in the inside with a thick infusible coating made from ground fire-bricks and a certain kind of sandstone. The two parts are united by flanges strongly bolted together, and the converter swings on trunnions, one of which is hollow and admits the airblast by the pipe (b) to the base of the vessel. The pipe, which turns on the trunnion with the converter, conducts the air to a kind of chamber (d) from which it passes into the vessel through about fifty holes of .5 inches diameter. To the other trunnion a toothed wheel is attached, which engages the
6145-59664661
Two physical instruments, F.W. Funckler, c. 1857 - in or before 1867 photograph Above a model of a Hurtlegraaf, under a self -operating power breaker. Netherlands paper. photographic support albumen print physics (+ tools, instruments; laboratory equipment ~ scientific research)
6176-66100132
This illustration dates to the 1870s and shows a Bessemer converter. The caption reads: Bessemer Converter. A Front view, showing the mouth (c); B, Section. The Bessemer process was the first method discovered for mass-producing steel. It was named for Sir Henry Bessemer of England. The vessel, converter, in which it took place is shown here. It is an egg-shaped vessel, about 3.5 feet in diameter, made of wrought iron in two parts and lined in the inside with a thick infusible coating made from ground fire-bricks and a certain kind of sandstone. The two parts are united by flanges strongly bo
6145-29276109
Hydraulics: different kinds of waterwheel. Lithograph by Mackay & Kirkwood, 1860.
1838-19960679
Hand-Gun, Reign of Edward IV; Cannon, end of 15th Century, from engraving by I. van Mechlin, Illustration from the Book, "John Cassels Illustrated History of England, Volume II", text by William Howitt, Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, London, 1858
6145-48491601
N.N., North American hydraulic engineering. (From: Atlas to the magazine for Building, ed. V. Ministry of Public Work, Jg. 45, 1895, supplementary booklet): Lighthouses. Stitch on paper, 43.2 x 28 cm (including scan edges)
1746-28999148
Engraving depicting a Geissler tube, an early gas discharge tube used to demonstrate the principles of electrical glow discharge, similar to modern neon lighting. Invented by Heinrich Geißler (1814-1879) a German glassblower, physicist and inventor. Dated 19th Century
4220-21934956
Advertisement for 19th century bellows cameras, pocket combination aneroid barometers, selection of scientific equipment compound microscope, achromatic microscope, rain gauge and theremometers and barometers. Date: 1890
6145-29283055
Surgical instruments: obstetrical instruments designed by Paolo Assalini. Engraving by J.B. Taylor after C. Varley.
1788-21788199
Home steam bath, woodcut from Moderne Kunst (Modern Art), illustrated magazine published by Richard Bong, 1892-1893, Year VII, No 4, Christmas Issue, Berlin.
1788-21785526
New physical-mechanical air experiments, by Robert Boyle (1627-1691), engraving.
4220-21926949
A page of patented engineering and industrial inventions from The Engineer magazine, 1856. Date: 1856
6145-29259729
Physics: mechanical equipment. Coloured engraving by J. Emslie, 1850, after himself.
5507-37322766
Sketch scientific set in vintage style
4443-19521078
Sellier-Carossier, pl. XVII from 'Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire Raisonné des Sciences, des Arts et des Métiers', Engraving on paper, France, 1771, Print, Print
1746-28999461
Engraving depicting Bradford's hydrostatic instrument for measuring the specific gravity and therefore the purity, of a coin. Dated 18th Century
1746-28992458
Adaptive drawing of Isaac Newton's Steam engine demonstrating his 3rd law of motion (action and reaction). 1891
4409-149108
Potato harrow and set scoops (Dublin and Slarks), moveable and fixed pig or swine cases, and pond construction. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by J. Farey from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1820.
4443-75467974
Demarest's Patent Water Closet Apparatus, 1888, J.L. Mott Iron Works., 1888., New York. Publisher, J. L. Mott Iron Works. Plumbing, equipment and supplies, catalogs, toilets. Features wood engravings
6145-55178507
Double three-legged gravity escapement, p. 98. Britten, F. J. (Frederick James), 1843-1913. Illustrations. 1881. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Clocks and watches , escapements, Grimthorpe, Edmund Beckett, Baron, 1816-1905
6145-29294936
Plate from F.M. van Helmont, Alphabeti vere Naturalis Hebraici, 1657
6145-54570234
The 'Inodoro' back-outlet wash-out water closet. Plate 88-G, Plate 90-G, Plate 301-G and Plate 291-G.. text. Illustrations, Advertisements, Catalogs. 1877 - 1893. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Plumbing , Equipment and supplies , Catalogs
6145-54570035
Range Boilers, Boiler Stands and Pipe Hangers.. Prints. 1888. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Plumbing , Equipment and supplies , Catalogs, Boilers
6176-66080020
Diagram showing how to insert a Eastman negative film roll into a camera. Eastman Kodak Company photo frame with negative paper. Old illustration by Louis Poyet (1846-1913) from La Nature 1887
4220-21870020
Chicago : home-made bombs made by the anarchist conspirators. One of them, thrown at police, killed and injured many, leading to arrests, trial and executions Date: 1886
1746-21101815
Diagram of a the mechanism behind a nodding eagle. The head was designed for the choir of the Cathedral by Villard de Honnecourt. Dated 13th Century
1746-19700078
Diagram of a the mechanism behind a nodding eagle. The head was designed for the choir of the Cathedral by Villard de Honnecourt. Dated 13th Century
4220-21906702
The perpetual motion wheel of Orffyreus, real name Johann Ernst Elias Bessler Date: circa 1720
6176-66097371
This 1870s illustration shows the governor and throttle-valve that was part of James Watt's steam engine. A Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer, James Watt (1736-1819) was said to have discovered the power of steam when he placed his hand in front of kettle that held a very hot liquid. Watts improvements to the steam engine were key to the changes that came with the Industrial Revolution. The governor islabeled D here. The throttle valve is the piece at bottom right.
1746-29960855
An engraving depicting Mareschal-type vaccinostyles. Vaccinostyles were pen nib-like points used for vaccination. Dated 19th century
4220-21851343
Mercadier's multiple receiver, enabling the whole family or office to listen to an incoming message. Date: 1886
4409-20935593
Spinning Jenny, multi-spindle spinning frame invented by James Hargreaves, 18th century. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry from Abraham Rees' "Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary," London, 1811.
6145-46712357
Skiopticon image from the Department of Photography at the Royal Institute of Technology. Use by Professor Helmer Bäckström as teaching material. Bäckström was Sweden's first professor in photography at the Royal Institute of Technology 1948-1958. For more info: see the photographic manual of Helmer Bäckström. Nature and Culture. 1942. Page 1066.
1788-22075381
Audiffren rotary refrigerating machine, illustration from L'Industria, Rivista tecnica ed economica illustrata, Milan, 1909.
1848-54547299
Historical drawing, various forms of old woodwind instruments, double flute, beak flute and shepherd's flute from ancient Egypt, recoders
6176-67049365
'Electricity', c1891. Artist: Unknown.
4220-21826876
Cross-section of Hunley's man-powered David (as in David and Goliath) of the Confederate Navy, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. Date: 1863
6188-55566720
Geometry ITALY - CIRCA 1940: Vintage illustration of geometry, circa 1940 in Italy Copyright: xZoonar.com/ClaudioxDiviziax 1743812
6176-66914711
Swedish Thermo-kettle diagram, circa 1909
6145-29262245
Astronomy: a quadrant and a sextant. Engraving.
4443-75477214
Mott's Patent Latrines, 1888, published by J.L. Mott Iron Works, located in New York. The catalog features plumbing equipment and supplies, specifically toilets, and includes wood engravings
6145-29280556
Chemistry: chemical instruments with descriptions of chemical phenomena. Coloured engraving by J. Emslie, 1850, after himself.
6145-29285777
A domestic weather-station: combined thermometer, hygrometer, and barometer. Engraving after B. Martin.
1746-29956414
Illustration depicting a Hooper Inhaler. An inhaler is a medical device used for delivering medication into the body via the lungs. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Zanamivir, used to treat influenza, must be administered via inhaler. Dated 19th century
4220-20400053
Advertisement for the 'Evans Vacuum Cap', an invention intented to promote the re-growth of hair, 1906. 1906
4408-16444
Solution of Corrosive Sublimate, Insect Studies