Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum

The Chemical Refractometer

An Exhibit in the Curator's Office (SA 560b)

2003-5 AY's*

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Exhibit Catalog

Introductory Essay: The Chemical Refractometer, 1874-1980 by Richard A. Paselk

Abbe-type General Laboratory Instruments

• Carl Zeiss Abbe Refractometer (1893)

• Carl Zeiss Abbe Refractometer (1906)**

• Carl Zeiss Abbe Refractometer (1920) [Now in the South Library Main Exhibit Display Case]

• Carl Zeiss Abbe Refractometer (1926)**

• Adam Hilger Abbe Refractometer (1919)*

• Spencer Abbe Refractometer (c. 1920)**

• Zeiss Opton (ne Carl Zeiss) "New" Abbe Refractometer (c. 1950)

• AO Spencer Abbe Refractometer (1953) [Now in the North Library Main Exhibit Display Case]

• Bausch & Lomb Abbe Refractometer (<1941)*

• Bausch & Lomb "Abbe 56" Refractometer (1953)**

• Bausch & Lomb "Abbe 3L" Refractometer (1959) [Now in the Science A 3rd-Floor East Stairwell Display Case]

• Canner's Refractometer (Valentine Refractometer)

• Tech Instruments Abbe Refractometer (1977)

Special Purpose Modified Abbe-type Instruments

• Sugar Refractometer (Carl Zeiss, 1914)*

• Butter Refractometer (Carl Zeiss, 1913)*

• Sugar and Oil Refractometer (Carl Zeiss, 1936)**

High Precision Instruments

• Precision Abbe Refractometer (Bausch & Lomb, 1983)*

• Valentine Improved Precision Refractometer (Valentine Instrument Co., c 1940)**

• Pulfrich Refractometer (Adam Hilger, c. 1920)*

• Pulfrich Refractometer (Carl Zeiss, 1905)**

• Dipping Refractometer (Carl Zeiss, 1902)*

• Brice-Phoenix Differential Refractometer (Phoenix Precision Instruments, c. 1965)**

Miscellaneous Instruments

• Fisher Refractometer (c. 1950)

• Hand Refractometer (Carl Zeiss, c. 1955)

• Hand Refractometer (Bausch & Lomb, 1960)**

*Select instrument remain on display. Others have been returned to storage and may be viewed by appointment with the curator.

**These instruments are now at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia, PA.

Adam Hilger

• Abbe Refractometer Manual

• Abbe Refractometer leaflet

• Pulfrich Refractometer Manual

American Optical/Spencer

• Abbe Refractometer Manual (1947)

• Abbe Dispersion Chart (No. 36, c. 1920)

• Abbe Dispersion Chart (No. 2009, c. 1953)

• American Optical Instrument Catalog Description

Bausch & Lomb:

• Abbe Refractometer Manual

• Abbe 3L Refractometer Manual

• Abbe Dispersion Chart

• Hand Refractometer

Carl Zeiss

• Abbe Refractometer Manual, 1907

• Dipping Refractometer Manual, 1907

• Abbe Refractometer Manual, 1931

• Butter Refractometer Manual, 1927

• Butter Refractometer Manual, 1935

• Sugar Refractometer Manual, c. 1914

• Sugar Refractometer leaflet, 1914

• Hand Refractometer leaflet, c. 1955 (pdf courtesy of Carl Zeiss, Jena)

Fisher Scientific

• Fisher Refractometer Instructions

© R. Paselk

Last modified 21 March 2011