Modification of an air pump
Date
2 February 1663
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p1
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 351mm
width (page): 251mm
width (page): 251mm
Subject
Content object
Description
A sketch of a 'pneumatic engine' (air pump) designed by Christian Huygens, with lettering to indicate its parts.
This is most likely the enlarged copy from the original letter from Huygens to Robert Moray dated 2 February 1663 [New Style] (EL/H1/18). The copy was ordered, along with an English translation of the text (EL/H1/19), at the meeting of the Royal Society on 28 January 1663 [Old Style]. The paper was read the following week on 4 February 1663.
Other copies of this image can be found at LBO/1/077 and LBC/1/093.
This is most likely the enlarged copy from the original letter from Huygens to Robert Moray dated 2 February 1663 [New Style] (EL/H1/18). The copy was ordered, along with an English translation of the text (EL/H1/19), at the meeting of the Royal Society on 28 January 1663 [Old Style]. The paper was read the following week on 4 February 1663.
Other copies of this image can be found at LBO/1/077 and LBC/1/093.
Transcription
Text on back of page: Mr Huygens pneumatic Engine
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
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
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 2006, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Associated place