Sammlung | Archäologie |
|---|---|
Highlights | Bad Vilbeler Mosaik |
Standort | Dauerausstellung Messelbau, Erdgeschoss und Untergeschoss |
The Physics Cabinet
There are few collections of old physics devices in Germany that were put together for teaching and research. The Hessian State Museum had a physics cabinet since its foundation. It contains very valuable items. The first objects were acquired in the 17th century, others received via the Great Landgravine Karoline (1721–74). However, the directed setup of a physics cabinet is due to the initiative of her son, Landgrave Ludwig X, who became Grand Duke Ludewig I (1753–1830) in 1806.
Still as crown prince, he bought 'an optical machine' with private funds. Parallel to the acquisition of objects from natural history and antiquity, he also purchased and ordered primarily physics devices, some of which the Landgrave had specially built by the mechanics he employed.
The Scottish mechanic Alexander Fräser built hygrometers, a sundial and measuring instruments, while the glassblower and physicist Joseph Ciarcy from Lake Como made thermometers, air pressure - and density gauges. One of the most valuable objects is Johann Helfrich von Müller's calculating machine.
From the beginning of the 19th century, public lectures were held in the Physics Cabinet, which were so popular that between 1832 and 1840, seat reservations had to be issued because the 150-seat hall was overcrowded. For this purpose, Ludwig Johann Schleiermacher, a trained mathematician, physicist and godson of the Grand Duke, used demonstration models made from hornbeam to explain experiments in statics and dynamics. They still represent a unique collection.
With the founding of the Higher Trade School in 1836 and Schleiermacher's death in 1844, the appropriate use and systematic expansion of the collection of the Physics Cabinet ended.
:quality(80)/f/128870/3686x2765/e47603cf02/foto-haupthalle_a_ebert.jpg)
