Accession No

5814

Brief Description

hair hygrometer, Lambrecht's hygienischer rathgeber, by Wilhelm Lambrecht, German, 1896

Origin

Germany; Göttingen

Maker

Lambrecht, Wilhelm D. R. P. a Gesch. d. Ges

Class

meteorology

Earliest Date

1896

Latest Date

1896

Inscription Date

1896

Material

wood (oak); paper; metal (brass, tinplate)

Dimensions

length 114mm; width 114mm; height 33mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Christie’s Auction House, 85 Old Brompton Road, London on 07/12/2000. Lot 2, sale MSI 8976, "Scientific and Engineering Works of Art, Medical Instruments and Models".

Inscription

signed and dated D.R.P.a Gesch. d. Ges. v. 1. Juli 1896

[Translation of wording on reverse:
“The instrument should be hung away from a warm stove (a heater). The hygenic indicator can only be used indoors. There is also a meteorological advisor for use outdoors, to see the coming weather and the hygenic influence of the outside air. A leaflet about this instrument is available.
Lambrecht’s Polymeter can be referred to as a standard instrument but the Hygenic Advisor can be tested without it, in fog, during persistent rain, or in a steamy kitchen the reading should be 95%. At other times the hairs can be dampled by stroking with a pigeon’s feather, which should bring the pointer to 95%, if not, the pointer can be adjusted to that value by a screw adjustment.

Should the hairs be broken, a new bundle is obtainable from my agents

The following publications explainthe hygenic importance of atmospheric humidity:
Dr Fleischer, ‘Healthy air’, 5th edition.
Dr Wurster, ‘Temperature of the human skin and its relation to cold and catarrh.
Ditto ‘Humidity of clothes and clothing’
Troska, ‘Forecasting weather with the hygrometer’.
‘Lambrecht’s small weather station’ which does not need prior knowledge.

All these items can be bought at Wilhelm Lambrecht, Göttingen or through his agents.”]

Description Notes

Hair hygrometer, Lambrecht's hygienischer rathgeber [nb: rathgeber = indicator], C19th (c).

Hair hygrometer mounted on decorated board (lithographic paper card) illustrating its function as a medical aid. The needle with fine hair membrane detached at one end, the scale with needle enclosed within a lithographed tinplate balustrade border, mounted on an oak plinth base, the underside with maker's instruction leaflet, signed Wilh. Lambrecht.

[Translation of wording on reverse:
“The instrument should be hung away from a warm stove (a heater). The hygenic indicator can only be used indoors. There is also a meteorological advisor for use outdoors, to see the coming weather and the hygenic influence of the outside air. A leaflet about this instrument is available.
Lambrecht’s Polymeter can be referred to as a standard instrument but the Hygenic Advisor can be tested without it, in fog, during persistent rain, or in a steamy kitchen the reading should be 95%. At other times the hairs can be dampled by stroking with a pigeon’s feather, which should bring the pointer to 95%, if not, the pointer can be adjusted to that value by a screw adjustment.

Should the hairs be broken, a new bundle is obtainable from my agents

The following publications explain the hygenic importance of atmospheric humidity:
Dr Fleischer, ‘Healthy air’, 5th edition.
Dr Wurster, ‘Temperature of the human skin and its relation to cold and catarrh.
Ditto ‘Humidity of clothes and clothing’
Troska, ‘Forecasting weather with the hygrometer’.
‘Lambrecht’s small weather station’ which does not need prior knowledge.

All these items can be bought at Wilhelm Lambrecht, Göttingen or through his agents.”]

References

Allison Ksiazkiewicz; 'Measuring Air Humidity'; Explore Whipple Collections online article; Whipple Museum of the History of Science; University of Cambridge: https://www.whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk/explore-whipple-collections/meteorology/measuring-air-humidity

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