Museo Galileo
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Virtual Museum
Section of Room XI
 Large machines

The spectacular impact of experimental demonstrations was also due to the physical quality of the instruments, as illustrated by these large machines. The leading collections, such as that of the Museo di Fisica e Storia Naturale in Florence, boasted many models from internationally renowned workshops, as well as machines made by local craftsmen from exotic and precious materials.

Objects
Air pump, Nollet type

Air pump, Nollet type

Inv. 1534
Maker unknown, ca. 1780

Cecchi balance barometer

Cecchi balance barometer

Inv. 3816
Niccolò Masini, Florence, ca. 1860

Conductor

Conductor

Inv. 2703
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Cylinder electrical machine

Cylinder electrical machine

Inv. 392
George Adams junior, London, late 18th cent.

Cylinder electrical machine

Cylinder electrical machine

Inv. 2739
Edward Nairne, London, ca. 1778

Drum electrical machine

Drum electrical machine

Inv. 3408
Maker unknown, ca. 1776

Elastic and inelastic collisions apparatus

Elastic and inelastic collisions apparatus

Inv. 981
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Hero's fountain

Hero's fountain

Inv. 2153
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Mechanical paradox

Mechanical paradox

Inv. 3387
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Mercury pump

Mercury pump

Inv. 1531
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Mercury pump

Mercury pump

Inv. 1530
Maker unknown, second half 18th cent.

Nairne cylinder electrical machine

Nairne cylinder electrical machine

Inv. 2736
Edward Nairne, London, 1773

Plate electrical machine

Plate electrical machine

Inv. 3909
Maker unknown, second quarter 19th cent.

Plate electrical machine

Plate electrical machine

Dep. LV, Torino
Maker unknown, early 19th cent.

Single-barrel exhausting and compressing pump

Single-barrel exhausting and compressing pump

Inv. 1535
Maker unknown, Florence, 1767

Twin-barrel air pump

Twin-barrel air pump

Inv. 1533
Maker unknown, 1743

Winter plate electrical machine

Winter plate electrical machine

Inv. 1526
Museo di fisica workshops, second half 19th cent.