This is a rare antique combination Newton’s color wheel & Seeback’s disc siren. It dates from the 19th century. It was produced by Christian Hans Stoelting (1865-1943), a German immigrant who established the Chicago Laboratory Supply and Scale Co. in 1886. By 1903, that firm had become the C.H. Stoelting Co., specializing in apparatus for psychological testing. The color wheel was first invented by Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) to prove white light is made up of a range of different colors. The wedges of color are painted in the same order and hues of rainbows. By spinning the device- the color wheel appears to merge into an off-white shade, thus confirming Newton's hypothesis.
The large brass central disc is supported on a cast iron stand with a handle and wheels to turn the disc. The disc is painted with color wheels on both sides, and has teeth on the perimeter. These teeth are angled to spin clockwise or counterclockwise depending on which side of the disc was faced forward. As the device is spun, air is blown through the holes, which cause air impulses that increase in frequency as the “rotator” speed is increased, thereby increasing the pitch of the sound.
The color wheel and stand where originally sold by the famous 'Deyrolle Taxidermy & Curiosity' store in Paris, with the original 'Deyrolle' store label on the back-side of the disc.
In working condition. Please note- this piece is missing some original aesthetic pieces. Please see photos. Sold as is.
The stand is labelled 'The Chicago Laboratory Supply & Scale Co.'
Weight: 14 lbs. 4.7 oz.
Dimensions: 10” x 5” x 30”
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YouTube: Perforated Disk Siren