Rare Teaching Instrument for Physics Demonstrations. Vienna, Circa 1900

Antique teaching instrument designed to perform demonstrations of the friction of objects on a plane. It is a rare piece, made in Wien in the early 20th century and in working order. The instrument is quite an attractive article with a great decorative power. It is made of mahogany wood, marble and brass and is a sober and elegant piece. This device is in good condition and works fine: it can still be used to demonstrate and measure the friction of objects on an inclined plane. The instrument is composed of a central square piece, a solid mahogany wooden frame that surrounds a white marble plate. A brass scaled arch is screwed to one of the frames sides. The marble plate is embedded in a brass base connected to the wooden frame by two mobile pieces. This base has also a pointer that indicates the angle of inclination. The whole piece stands on four legs whose height can be adjusted so the article will be level on any surface. Attached to the wooden frame there is a golden brass plate with an engraved inscription: Friedrich Stark Physik. Chem. Elektrotechn. Institut Vien 12 Baumgartenstr. 11. This plate indicates that the instrument was part of the equipment of a vocational training institute where physics, chemistry and electrical engineering were taught. This fine teaching device will shine in a teachers study or as part of the collection of a lover of scientific antiques. Measurements: Width: 9.4 in / 24 cm. Height: 5.9 in / 15 cm.