Scientific glassware has been an important tool in the study of chemistry since the founding of Carleton. This is a collection of scientific glassware purchased by Carleton that has survived many years of use.
- Collection of Florence flasks of unknown age.
- Commercial chemical bottles circa 1920-1950.
- Glass mortar and pestle of unknown age.
- Handmade volumetric pipets circa 1920-1950.
- Handmade and machine made beakers circa 1910-1930.
- Ground glass solution storage containers. The large one in the back is etched (probably using hydrofluoric acid) with the signature of Wilmot V. Metcalf who was the first professor of chemistry at Carleton (1890-1903). So the this large storage bottle likely dates to about 1900 and was initially used in Williams Hall (1880-1961), Carleton’s first science building.
- Mercury thermometer with Reaumur scale and wood case. The Reamur temperature scale was used pre 1900, so this object was also probably used in Williams Hall.
- Volumetric flask and an early graduated cylinder likely mid-20th century.
- Eppley standard cell used as a precision voltage reference for calibrating voltmeters. Judging by the low serial number and the fact that production started in the 1920’s this cell likely dates to the 1930-1940 time period and would have been used in Leighton Hall.
- Bailey Hydrogen Electrodes, circa 1930 likely used with chemistry occupied Leighton Hall. The electrodes were used as a reference system for electrochemical experiments that required a voltaic cell.