Instrument for collecting the wind
Date
12 March 1668
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p294
Dimensions
height (page): 362mm
width (page): 230mm
width (page): 230mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Drawing of Robert Hooke's instrument for collecting the wind or for making the slower motions of the air more sensible. Hooke's instrument is a modification of one contrived by William Croone and connects two hollow tin cones at their common point, or vertex, shown at a. Hooke divided the limbs into 32 equal parts, cut with many triangular valves or partitions, leaving a cylindrical hole in the centre of the instrument, fit to contain a small vane or weather-cock. The valves or partitions were attached between the two cones so that air would pass through the small holes into the small central square at a. In addition to collecting wind, Hooke wrote that this instrument could be used for balancing a ball on top of a steeple-turret and for amplifying sound when it was placed on the ear.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 12 March 1668, ‘Mr. Hooke brought in a description of the wind-gathering vessel, but took it home again, promising to return it at the next meeting’ (Birch 2:256).
On 19 March 1668, ‘A description of an instrument for collecting the wind, or for making the slower motions of the air more sensible, contrived by Mr. Hooke, was read, and ordered to be registered’ (Birch 2:257). Text and references to the figure are printed in Birch 2:258.
On 19 March 1668, ‘A description of an instrument for collecting the wind, or for making the slower motions of the air more sensible, contrived by Mr. Hooke, was read, and ordered to be registered’ (Birch 2:257). Text and references to the figure are printed in Birch 2:258.
Related fellows
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
William Croone (1633 - 1684, British) , Physician
William Croone (1633 - 1684, British) , Physician
Associated place