The instrument consists of two glass vacuum tubes in original protective wooden frames. The glass bulbs have ceramic bases with four metal connection prongs. There is a metal connection point just above the ceramic base of each of the glass bulbs. Inside the bulb, there are four metal cylinders arranged around a metal post. Under the cylinders is a concave metal disk. The center post sticks out of the top of the glass bulb. The tubes are supported by elasticized cotton bands in the protective frame.
Item a is secured in place by a piece of twine.
Item b is secured in place by a piece of cotton string.
Accession Number: 2014.ph.633.1-2
Alternative Name:
Wood, glass, ceramic, metal, cotton, twine
On ceramic part of item b, there is a white sticker marked with black ink, reading “JAN-CIM 304TH VT254 MADE In U.S.A.”
On the glass bulbs of both tubes is grey ink reading “EIMAC Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. 304TH/VT254 MADE IN U.S.A Des. Pat. No. 127753 Des. Pat. No. 136792”.
On the top of item b, there is a piece of tape marked in blue ink reading “unknown”.
Dimensions (cm): Length 23, Height = 38, Width = 8.5 cm
The vacuum tubes generate radio-frequency signals. They were used to drive a radio frequency gas discharge for studying spectroscopy. These tubes are unusually high-powered radio frequency tubes.
Both tubes and supportive frames are in very good condition. The elasticized cotton bands on both frames are brittle from age.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: EIMAC
Date of Manufacture:
The item was acquired from, the University of Toronto Physics Department. The tubes were originally collected from faculty member Prof. Brian Stat.
Additional Information and References:
The tubes were most likely used for studies in spectroscopy by Prof. Bryan Statt at the University of Toronto.
- Donated to UTSIC