Section of Rooms XII and XIII
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
The science of hydraulics was traditionally illustrated with working models of machines for lifting water, such as pumps, water wheels and Archimedean screws. The invention of the vacuum pump allowed for spectacular demonstrations of the phenomena of compressed or rarefied gases.
Objects
Air pump, twin barrels, table-top model
Inv. 1537
Christophe Bettally, Paris, first half 19th cent.
Air pump, twin barrels, table-top model
Inv. 1536
William Cary, London, early 19th cent.
Apparatus for showing the hydrostatic paradox
Inv. 1370
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.
Globe for experiments with bladders in vacuum
Inv. 359
Maker unknown, 19th cent.
Model of Archimedean screw or cochlea
Inv. 999
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.
Model of hydraulic pump with alterations by Sisson
Inv. 978/a, 3775
Maker unknown, English?, second half 18th cent.
Three-bladders experiment
Inv. 3776
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.
Context