A cover for Papin's digester
Date
1 March 1681
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
vol8 p230
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 302mm
width (page): 177mm
width (page): 177mm
Subject
Content object
Description
This is a design of an iron box to cover Papin's steam digester (a form of pressure cooker) to prevent it from cooling, with 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 images is copied from LBO/8/157.
This images is copied from LBO/8/157.
Transcription
I hope never the less that the Society will doe me the honour to accept of it, and Doctor Grew that of mentioning it in his book, with the wooden box fitted to Choack the fire, when the Engin is hot enough. Upon this I will benture to tell you that I had a mind to make such a box with an iron cover for feare of burning and to fitt Pipe A to the said cover for the steams to go out and to fitt another Pipe B to one side and bring Now Aire under the fire, and I believe such a box being put over the Engine in the beginning of the Operation would keep it from being cooled by the External Aire, and would blow the fire Soe briskley that it would save a great deale of coles especially if the Pipe A was made long: I would allso Try by how much every length of the pipe A would hasten the operation and it may be by that means a body might discover some propertys of heat: but I had noe time to work upon such things, and proferit to the Society whether or not such things be worth Trying etc.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
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