Accession No
0601
Brief Description
Two polyangular kaleidoscopes, by Robert Brettell Bate, after Dr. Brewster’s patent, English, 1820 (c)
Origin
London; England
Maker
Robert Brettell Bate
Class
optical
Earliest Date
1816
Latest Date
1847
Inscription Date
Material
metal (brass); glass
Dimensions
one height 290mm; depth 225mm; breadth 217mm
Special Collection
Robert Whipple collection
Provenance
One of the objects was purchased by Robert Stewart Whipple from W. Watson and Sons, 313 High Holborn, London, England on 14/03/1930. The other was purchased by Robert Stewart Whipple from T. H. Court on 31/05/1923.
Inscription
‘Bate London’
‘DR BREWSTER’S PATENT’
‘NO 30’
‘NO 40’
Description Notes
Two polyangular kaleidoscopes, by Robert Brettell Bate, after Dr. Brewster’s patent, English, c. 1820.
Brass tapered cylinder. Central band controls moving mirrors. Graduated irregularly 4 - 60 (The graduations are in the reciprocal/harmonic sequence appropriate for the relationship between angle and number of images). Clamp with knurled screw. Screw-on eyepiece and objective glass. Stand with tripod legs (on one kaleidoscope only).
References
Events
Description
These philosophical instruments (later to be considered optical ‘toys’) were made by the London instrument maker Robert Brettell Bate (1782–1847) according to the design patented by Sir David Brewster. Brewster invented the kaleidoscope in 1816 in the course of his research into the polarization of light. Brewster became interested in the multiplied images which occurred when reflecting plates of glass were inclined at a small angle to each other. The tube contains two mirrors, the angle between which may be adjusted by rotating the central collar; the light coming through a coloured glass slide at one end would then be reflected by these mirrors to produce varying symmetrical patterns when viewed through the eyepiece at the other end. As the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia put it in 1832, “Kaleidoscope is the name of a new instrument, invented by Dr. Brewster, for the purpose of creating and exhibiting an infinite variety of beautiful and perfectly symmetrical forms ... “
For more on Bate’s life and works, see Wh.6262.
20/12/2013
Created by: Joshua Nall on 20/12/2013
FM:42162
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