A cover for Papin's digester
Date
1 March 1681
After
Denis Papin (1647, French) , Natural philosopher
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p157
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 313mm
width (page): 198mm
width (page): 198mm
Subject
Content object
Description
This is a design of an iron box to cover Denis Papin's steam digester (a form of pressure cooker) to prevent it from cooling. It has a pipe on top at A for letting the steam out and a pipe at the bottom, B, to let more air in. In the 1670s, Papin had worked on airpump designs for Christian Huygens as well as Robert Boyle. In 1679 he was working as assistant to Robert Hooke. Papin wrote from Antwerp to William Croone, explaining that he had left the digester with Hooke to be presented to the Royal Society. It was indeed presented to the Society on 2 March 1681, and several objects were placed in it to be softened.
This image is copied in LBC/8/230.
This image is copied in LBC/8/230.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 2 March 1681, ‘Part of a letter of Dr. Papin to Dr. Croune dated at Antwerp 1 March 1680/81 was read, wherein he mentioned his having, before his departure from London, left at Mr. Hooke’s lodgings his engine for softening bones, & c. to be presented to the Society; and his desire and readiness to serve the Society in places, where he should reside. An experiment was made in Dr. Papin’s engine, wherein were put pieces of ivory, horn, and tortoise-shell; all of which were in about the space of half an hour reduced to softness; the tortoise-shell to the softness and pliableness of shoe-leather or tanned leather, the ivory to the consistence of Old Chedder cheese, and the horn to the softness and pliableness of pretty stiff tanned leather’ (Birch 4:72).
Related fellows
Denis Papin (1647, French) , Natural philosopher
William Croone (1633 - 1684, British) , Physician
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
William Croone (1633 - 1684, British) , Physician
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place