Analog Computing Component - Integrator

Object Details

Ford Instrument Company

Description: Instruments for finding the area under curved lines date from the nineteenth century. This twentieth century example is based on a mechanism invented by British engineer James Thomson and used by his bother William (later Lord Kelvin) in constructing the first harmonic analyzer in 1876. The object shows modifications and refinements made by the American inventor Hannibal Ford. It has two stacked balls, held between a steel disk and relatively long aluminum cylinder. The carrier for the cylinder is linked to two metal springs.; From about 1915 into the 1940s, Ford's integrators were used by the U. S. Navy in devices for aiming guns on ships. This Ford integrator is a relatively early one, for use in range keepers and computers.; Objects 1982.0751.35, 1982.0751.36, and 1982.0751.37 are stored together in a wooden box lined with fabric that has a black handle. A tag on it reads: #78 Integrators 78a, 78b, 78c. The handle has two paper labels attached to it with string. One reads: Grand Central Terminal (/) Red Cap Service (/) Serial Number 35773 Red Cap Number 137. The other reads: No. 83583 Q.; The accession file indicates that this integrator is earlier than object 1982.0751.06; References:; A.B. Clymer, "The Mechanical Analog Computers of Hannibal Ford and William Newell," Annals of the History of Computing, 15, #2, 1993, 19-34.; Accession file.
Location: Currently not on view

ca 1920-1940

Physical Description: metal (overall material); wood, fabric, metal (case material)
Measurements: overall: 8 cm x 23.5 cm x 17.5 cm; 3 5/32 in x 9 1/4 in x 6 7/8 in

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics; Mechanical Integrators and Analyzers

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0cb9-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa