Menu Close

Resistance Box

Astronomy

This object is contained in a wooden box with four black feet on the base. It has a black panel on the top. Located on the panel there are four plastic knobs with inbuilt indicator arrows with the numbers 1-10 arranged in a circle around them. These each has a number written on the knob: 10, 100, 1000 and 10M. Above these are two electrical posts with plastic lids. There is a moving sticker stuck to the side of the box.

Accession Number: 2019.ast.213 (DAA-0125)

Alternative Name:

Primary Materials: Wood, Metal: Copper Alloy, Plastic.

Markings:

Stamped or stencilled on the top of the panel: “RESISTANCE BOX”

Stamped or stencilled on the bottom of the panel: “SHALLCROSS MFG. CO.
COLLINGDALE, PA”

On a metal label affixed to the side of the instrument: “SHALLCROSS MFG. CO.
COLLINGDALE, PA.
MADE IN U.S.A.”

Dimensions (cm): Height = 11, Width = 12, Length = 17.6.

Function:

The introduction of variable resistance into a circuit.

Condition:

Excellent: The instrument is in very good condition, although dusty. There are very small scrapes on the edges of the wood. There is a paper moving sticker stuck to the top of the box; this is peeling away.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer:

Shallcross Manufacturing Company, Collingdale, PA

Date of Manufacture: Mid 20th Century

Provenance:

Additional Information and References:

Following its use, this box was kept at the David Dunlap Observatory until 2009. Upon the sale of the Observatory, it was moved to the University of Toronto’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the St George Campus. In 2017 it was moved to a new storage location in McLennan Physical Laboratories.

Historical Notes:

Themes: