Modification of an air pump
Date
2 February 1663
After
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 2006, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p77
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 307mm
width (page): 193mm
width (page): 193mm
Subject
Content object
Description
A sketch of a 'pneumatic engine' (air pump) designed by Christian Huygens with lettering to indicate its parts, from his letter to Robert Moray (EL/H1/18/003) dated 2 February 1663 [New Style]. At the meeting of the Royal Society on 28 January 1663 [Old Style], an English translation of the text (EL/H1/19) and an enlarged image (Cl.P/4i/23/001) were ordered. The paper was read the following week, 4 February 1663. A copy of this image can be found in LBC/1/093.
A circle in the bottom margin of the page shows the diameter of a glass cane Huygens used in a quicksilver experiment. Other versions of this can be found at EL/H1/18/004, EL/H1/19/003 and LBC/1/094.
A circle in the bottom margin of the page shows the diameter of a glass cane Huygens used in a quicksilver experiment. Other versions of this can be found at EL/H1/18/004, EL/H1/19/003 and LBC/1/094.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 28 January 1663, ‘Sir Robert Moray having mentioned his having received a letter from Monsieur Huygens, it was ordered, that an English translation of it be made against the next meeting, and that the scheme contained in it be drawn in great’ (Birch 1:192).
On 4 February 1663, ‘Monsieur Huygens’s letter to Sir Robert Moray, dated from the Hague, February 2, 1662/3, was read; and the experiments mentioned therein, viz. that of the quicksilver sticking to the finger, and that of the not subsiding of water purged from air, were recommended to be made again; the former to Dr. Goddard, in a cane of a less bore than formerly; the latter to Mr. Hooke’ (Birch 1:193).
Oldenburg's translation of the letter reads, ‘The Figure will easily make you understand it [=the engine]. The sucker, as you see, is drawn upwards, but not further than A; the space AB being about 2 inches, which you must imagine to be full of water mixt with oyle, so that this liquor descends and riseth with the sucker, and thereby hinders the ingresse of Air into the Cylinder; but lets only enter a little of the said water and oyle, when the sucker is not altogether just: which afterwards goeth out at the little vent C: the cock is on the side of the Cylinder in E, to which is joined the pipe EH, which on the other end is soddered [=soldered] to the little dish FG, wherein there is Cement, to fasten the recipient upon. The figure shews all, so that tis needless to speak any more of it. When you let the Engine rest, the liquor, remaining in the space AZ, keeps the sucker from growing dry, so that it may be always found fit for use. To make, that the sucker shall not rise higher than A, I stop with lead an iron-Nutt OP. To exclude the Air of the Recipient after it is exhausted (which is that you look chiefly for) I find nothing better, than to put the Recipient on soft cement (whereof I have formerly spoke to you) and to wrap the Cock about with leather: for by this means I find no fault in it but very seldom; whereas I think it almost impossible with hard cement’ (EL/H1/19).
On 4 February 1663, ‘Monsieur Huygens’s letter to Sir Robert Moray, dated from the Hague, February 2, 1662/3, was read; and the experiments mentioned therein, viz. that of the quicksilver sticking to the finger, and that of the not subsiding of water purged from air, were recommended to be made again; the former to Dr. Goddard, in a cane of a less bore than formerly; the latter to Mr. Hooke’ (Birch 1:193).
Oldenburg's translation of the letter reads, ‘The Figure will easily make you understand it [=the engine]. The sucker, as you see, is drawn upwards, but not further than A; the space AB being about 2 inches, which you must imagine to be full of water mixt with oyle, so that this liquor descends and riseth with the sucker, and thereby hinders the ingresse of Air into the Cylinder; but lets only enter a little of the said water and oyle, when the sucker is not altogether just: which afterwards goeth out at the little vent C: the cock is on the side of the Cylinder in E, to which is joined the pipe EH, which on the other end is soddered [=soldered] to the little dish FG, wherein there is Cement, to fasten the recipient upon. The figure shews all, so that tis needless to speak any more of it. When you let the Engine rest, the liquor, remaining in the space AZ, keeps the sucker from growing dry, so that it may be always found fit for use. To make, that the sucker shall not rise higher than A, I stop with lead an iron-Nutt OP. To exclude the Air of the Recipient after it is exhausted (which is that you look chiefly for) I find nothing better, than to put the Recipient on soft cement (whereof I have formerly spoke to you) and to wrap the Cock about with leather: for by this means I find no fault in it but very seldom; whereas I think it almost impossible with hard cement’ (EL/H1/19).
Related fellows
Christiaen Huygens (1629 - 1695, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Associated place