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Electrically-Driven Tuning Fork

Psychology

A rectangular wooden base with manufacturer’s label attached. At one end of the wooden base, a large tuning fork is mounted horizontally, parallel to the base. The end of each tine of the tuning fork has a black metal cylinder, diameter 4 cm, attached to its outer edge. A vertical, cylindrical electromagnet is positioned between the tines of the tuning fork. There are four electrical leads at the end of the wooden base under the tines of the tuning fork, near the electromagnet.

Accession Number: 2011.psy.39

Alternative Name: Chronographic Electrical Fork

Primary Materials: Wood, Metal

Markings:

Label on the base reads “Wm. Gaertner & Co., Chicago, USA”

Dimensions (cm):

Height = 11, Width = 30.5 (base), 38 (tuning fork), Length = 12

Function:

Marks time by oscillating at a constant rate. The tuning fork is actuated (set in motion) by an electromagnet.

Condition:

Good. Some black marks on the base. Some rust on the electromagnet. Some chipping of the coating on the cylinders attached to the ends of the tuning fork tines. A piece of tape is attached to the base.

Associated Instruments: 2011.psy.38, 43, 44

Manufacturer:

Wm. Gaertner & Co., Chicago, U.S.A.

Date of Manufacture:

Provenance:

Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto

Additional Information and References:

Historical Notes:

Themes: