Scientific Instrument Society Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society No. 29 June 1991 Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society ISSN 0956-8271 For Table of Contents, see inside back cover Executive Committee Jon Darius, Chairman Gerard Turner, Vice Chairman Howard Dawes, Executive Secretary Stanley Warren, Meetings Secretary Allan Mills, Editor Desmond Squire, Advertising Manager Brian Brass, Treasurer Ronald Bristow Anthony Michaelis Arthur Middleton Stuart Talbot David Weston Membership and Administrative Matters Mr. Howard Dawes P.O. Box 15 Pershore Worcestershire WRI0 2RD Tel: 0386-861075 United Kingdom Fax: 0386-861074 See inside back cover ~or information on membership Editorial Matters Dr. Allan Mills Astronomy Group University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH Tel: 0533-523924 United Kingdom Fax: 0533-523918 Advertising Manager Mr Desmond Squire 137 Coombe Lane London SW20 0QY United Kingdom Tel: 081-946 1470 Organization of Meetings Mr Stanley Warren Dept of Archaeological Sciences University of Bradford Richmond Road Tel: 0274-733466 ext 477 Bradford BD7 lDP Fax: 0274-305340 United Kingdom Tel (home): 0274-601434 Typesetting and Printing Halpen Graphic Communication Limited Victoria House Gertrude Street Chelsea London SWi0 0JN Tel 071-351 5577 United Kingdom Fax 071-352 7418 Price: £6 per issue, including back numbers where available The ScientificInstrument Society is Registered Charity No. 326733 Instruments in the who are interested in their own speciali .ty. instruments is the task of the Jenemann- Netherlands A membership list will now be printed, Mettler Foundation. It was recently .set up but anyone who would m,t like their name on the initiative of the Mainz balance to be included should inform the histurian Hans Jenemann together with Members will doubtless have noted that Executive Secretary. Mettler lnstrumente GmbH, Giessen, one this issue of the Bulh'tin is a little late in 4. Several members recommended the of the leading manufacturers of balances, publication. However, there is gtx,d names of friends who might join. This has scales and analytical instruments. The reason: the inclusion of a long multi- already resulted in several new members, foundation is administered by the author report on the Society's visit to the so do encourage your friends to send for Founders' Association of German Science Netherlands fnnn 13-17 May. The richness our brochure. in Essen, and will award the 'Taul Bunge and diversity of the various collections, 5. Information about meetings was Prize" annually. It is endowed with at and the care taken of us by our Dutch dLsappointing because it showed that least 10,0(X) German marks, and the first hosts, will be very apparent from the of members had never attended one. What award will be made in 1992. The prize is accounts. can we do to tempt you? Our events are named after Paul Bunge (1839-18881 the very varied and interesting as well as most important constructor of analytical, Only one thing marred the visit: the being social occasions. Do attend a assay and high-performance precision absence of our organizer Stanley Warren. meeting -- you will certainly learn balances in the second half of the 19th He suffered a heart attack a few weeks something and meet interesting people. century. before the departure date, so was 6. One third of members preferred prevented form personally enjoying what midweek meetings and two thirds The prize will honour completed work in he had laboured to bring into being. We weekends. The Society will continue with the field of the history of scientific are glad to be able to report that Stanley is both options. instruments in English, German or French, now making good progress after surgery, 7. Respondents preferred more than one it being immaterial whether such work and has indicated his willingness to lecturer per meeting. has already been published or printed. continue in the vital post he has filled 8. A lot of interest was expressed in a The award is independent of the age and with such enthusiasm. We look forward weekend meeting with 'hands-on' nationality of the author. to his participation in future events. experience. It is hoped to organise such an event next year with Gerard Turner as According to the Jenemann-Mettler Stanley's illness did, of course, mean that the main speaker. Foundation, work considered for the someone else had to be found to cope 9. The Bulletin is seen as the life blood of award need not be concerned .solely with with all the tasks -- expected and the Society, and was regarded as very precision or analytical balances. Rather, unexpected ~ inevitably accompanying good/good by almost every respondent. the intention is to include the entire any visit abroad by a large party. 10. Some people would prefer more spectrum of historical scientific Fortunately Mark Turner was home on illustrations, and one suggestion was for instruments. leave from his geological career in illustrations on the front and back covers. Australia, and accepted the job at very 11. A majority of respondents would like Details may be obtained from the short notice. No doubt organizing to see colour illustrations. Founders' Association of German Science, exploration in the Outback has given him 12. Most respondents said they read the Bruker Fhdt 56-00, D-4.~'~}E.~m 1, (contact valuable experience, for he coped entire journal. person: Dr. Klaus Neuhoff) quoting the magnificently with the round-ups and 13. As most people therefore read the reference "Paul Bunge Prize". not a single member was lost. advertisements this indicates the BuUetin to be an excellent place to advertise. The Editor 14. Two thirds of resl:~mdents had visited a dealer or bought an instrument as a Fellowship of Makers and result of an advertisement in the Bulletin. Restorers of Historical Society Questionnaire Musical Instruments Conclusion We had an excellent response to the The questionnaire was very valuable in (FoMRHI) questionnaire circulated to members last finding out what members want, and will year. There were 168 replies -- over a help in the creation of an interesting This society was founded in 1975 as an quarter of the current membership. Many programme of meetings. Comments association of people concerned with the thanks to all who replied, for by knowing received will also help to shape the construction of early musical instruments your views the Committee can improve Bulletin. (up to the present century). A number of the Society. Many respondents gave Sunday meetings have already been held thoughtful comments and suggestions. The general comments about the Society this year at the Faculty of Music, St. All will be examined, and we are already were too numerous to be listed. Many Aldate's, Oxford, on themes relating to taking action on a number of issues. good ideas emerged and will be musical instrument technology. It has considered in the coming months. become apparent that in many areas (e.g. The results of the questionnaire showed design and technology, tools and that: David Weston materials, special skills, restoration and conservation) there is interesting common 1. 25% of members are academics, 25% ground with the SIS, and anyone who dealers or restorers, and 50% are collectors. Jenemann-Mettler would like to contribute in any way, or 2. A large number of members also Foundation establishes the wishes to attend future meetings, is invited belong to other societies. to contact the Hon. Secretary, Jeremy 3. The majority of members welcomed Paul Bunge Prize Montagu, Faculty of Music, St. Aldate's, the publishing of a list of the names and Oxford OX1 1DB. addresses of members. Many would like The promotion of science and research in to contact people in their area, or those the field of the history of scientific Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society No. 29 (1991) SIS Monographs Contributions The Society's Desk at the lOth Scientific Instrument Anthony Michaelis rel:~)rts that his Contributions for the Bulletin are always proia,sal for a series of SIS nit)hi)graph,, welcome, lhere is no reason why they Fair tin tilt, making of xientitic in,,,truments should be restricted to antique or high- ha,, attracted a tavourable response, and value items: in tact artich~ on early 2Itth A total of E.'~ was rai~'d from the role of that t~o u,ell-known .-,cholars have century in.,,truments would fill a gap in Bulletins, ties & sub,,~:riptions. Particular already put h)rward preliminary titles: our contents list. Thus, the two-pan thanks to Judith Dawes for her efforts balance with .,,eparate weights, and the thnmghout the day, ably assistt~.t at 5ilvlo Bedini: 'l,en~, (;rmdlng m the Wheatshme bridge, have already pas~d various times bv Gloria Clifton and Ron 17th Century' into history (oblivion?) ~ far as pre~,nt- Bristow. dav students art, concerntM. Gerard Turner: 'Optical (.;lass The ~cietv's appreciation for their Product,m in the 17th Century' Manv authors now u...,e word prtxe.~.~)rs, assi,,tance. and ihose able to supply articlt,'s on di.~ Dr .Mlchaeli,, would be glad to hear from tin addition to a print-out) would facilitate Stuart Talh)t am.orie el..,,c able to make a contribution: inclusion of their work in the Bulh'tm. his addrt~,, is Flat 1, 12 tlall Road, London Any maior language tc N. Apple Mac or Nt,%S '+l'l). IB.~t compatibles) is acceptable. Reports of Exhibitions 'Images of Time' Exhibition on It)an from mu~'ulriS and private or Every exhibit had a demription or Nov 28th 1990 - Jan 27th 1991 company collections, notably in England explanation in Dutch as well as English. Amsterdam, Netherlands and ,qwit/erland. Bt,sidt~ genuine old scientific instruments, there were also beautifully-made An lmprt',,~,ive exhibition concermng all When viewing the hundreds of exhibits reconstructions, for instance of John a-ptx:ts tit time wa~ organi/ed by the and di,plays one was overwhelmt~l bv t larri,,~m's first marine chnmometer.