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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Galvanometer

Small galvanometer

Partially verified

This small galvanometer, manufactured in 1888 by Matthias Hipp of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a scientific instrument designed for use in conjunction with a chronoscope. , topped with a circular dial and pointer protected by a glass cover within a dark bezel. It is equipped with two brass terminal posts for electrical connections and secondary adjustment knobs. According to the institution's documentation, this type of equipment was intended to facilitate the measurement of short time intervals, accurate to within one-thousandth of a second, often employed in experimental research such as psychology laboratories or military projectile testing.

Top view of the small galvanometer showing the wooden base, circular dial, and electrical terminals.
Top view of the small galvanometer showing the wooden base, circular dial, and electrical terminals. — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Tool · Galvanometer
Maker / attribution
Matthias Hipp
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1889-38/2
Source-reported date
1888
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The galvanometer is constructed with a square wooden base, providing a foundation for the primary electrical and measuring components. A circular dial, marked with numerical divisions, is positioned atop this base, encased under a glass cover secured by a dark, circular bezel. The aesthetic features a combination of wood and metal, with the brass terminal posts extending from the top edge of the housing.

The integration of adjustment knobs indicates a degree of manual control required for the calibration of the instrument. The design reflects a compact, specialized configuration suited for tabletop laboratory use, facilitating connection to larger experimental apparatus.

Evidence for this section
  • “Small galvanometer for use with chronoscope”
  • “this device was used to measure short intervals of time to within 1/1000th of a second”

Operational Function

The instrument was designed to operate as a component of a larger timing system, specifically a chronoscope setup. This functionality supported the measurement of time intervals with high temporal resolution.

In its laboratory application, the device functioned within systems that monitored physiological or mechanical responses. The electrical interaction enabled researchers to observe and record data with high precision, specifically related to the timing capabilities of the chronoscope to which it was attached.

Evidence for this section
  • “Small galvanometer for use with chronoscope”
  • “the indicating mechanism is started and stopped by electromagnets”

Provenance and Historical Context

The instrument was produced by the workshop of Matthias Hipp in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, during the late 19th century. Accessioned as 1889-38/2, it represents the technical output of a manufacturer known for precision timing equipment. The device is specifically identified by the Science Museum Group as part of their collection.

The use of these instruments in military research and experimental psychology indicates the multidisciplinary nature of 19th-century scientific research. By facilitating the study of projectile speed and the speed of thought, instruments of this type supported the transition of experimental methodologies into diverse academic and practical fields during the late 1800s.

Evidence for this section
  • “Produced by Matthias Hipp of Neuchatel, Switzerland”
  • “Accession number: 1889-38/2”
  • “used to try to determine the speed of thought”

Open research questions

  • What specific electrical sensitivity was this model designed to provide?
  • Are there surviving operational manuals for the 1889-38/2 specifically detailing calibration procedures?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Small galvanometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMatthias Hipp“Maker: Hipp, Matthias; Matthias Hipp”
Date1888“Date: 1888”
Place of manufactureNeuchâtel, Switzerland“Place: Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel canton, Switzerland; Neuchâtel”
Accession number1889-38/2“Accession number: 1889-38/2”
FunctionMeasure short time intervals“this device was used to measure short intervals of time to within 1/1000th of a second”
Usage contextScientific and military research“Hipp's chronoscopes were originally used in military research experiments to measure the speed of projectiles, but achieved popularity with the advent of experimental psychology laboratories”

Visible details

  • Wooden square base with visible grain and terminal posts
  • Circular dial with graduated markings and a central pointer
  • Dark circular bezel enclosing a glass viewing window
  • Side-mounted adjusting screw with knurled grip

Research qualifications

  • The specific operational state or current functionality is not described by the source
  • The relationship between this galvanometer and the specific chronoscope model mentioned remains implicit

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Small galvanometer.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3d91fde4b7

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other galvanometer records