Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum

The Chemist's Balance at Humboldt Main Exhibit in the Science-A 4th floor East Stairwell Cabinet

Exhibit Catalog

Introductory Essay: The Chemical Balance at Humboldt State, 1926-1986 by Richard A. Paselk, curator.

Double-pan Analytical Balances

• Voland Student Analytical Balance (c. 1926; exhibited in Main Library south display case)
• Christian Becker Student Analytical Balance (1948; exhibited in Main Library north display case)
• Christian Becker Chainomatic Analytical Balance (1952)
• Voland 200 Student Analytical Balance (c. 1950)
• Ainsworth Student Analytical Balance (c. 1960)
• Voland Speedigram Analytical Balance (c. 1957; exhibited in Main Library north display case)

Single Pan Substitution Balances

• Mettler H5 Multipurpose (Analytical) Balance (1961)
• Mettler H10 Analytical Balance (1971)
• Mettler H10Tw Analytical Balance (1971) (1971; in storage-may be viewed by appointment with the curator)
• Mettler M5 Micro Analytical Balance (1962)
• Christian Becker/Torbal EA-1 Analytical Balance (1982; in storage-may be viewed by appointment with the curator)

Special Purpose Balances

• Christian Becker Specific Gravity Balance (1959)
• Mettler Demonstration Device (c. 1961; web exhibit only)
• Roller Smith Precision Double-Hook Torsion Balance (1960; exhibited in Main Library north display case)

Weights

• Braun-Kneckt-Heiman-Co. Weight Set, 100 g - 1 mg, Student Analytical (c. 1926; exhibited in Main Library south display case)
• Christian Becker Weight Set, 50 g - 1 mg, with 10 mg riders, Class XX (c. 1950; exhibited in Main Library north display case)
• Central Scientific Co. Weight Set, 50 g - 1 mg with 10 mg riders, Class S-1 (c. 1952)
• Christian Becker Weight Set, 50 g - 1 mg, Class S-1 (c. 1956)
• William Ainsworth Weight Set, 100 g - 1 mg, Class S (NBS certified, c. 1961)
• William Ainsworth Weights, 5 g & 50 g, Class M (NBS certified, 1962)

Supporting Documentation

Balance Manufacturer Histories

• Christian Becker, Inc
• E. Mettler, Inc.
• Henry Troemner
• Seederer-Kohlbusch (SeKo)
• Voland & Sons
• William Ainsworth & Sons

Literature

• Christian Becker:
  • Instructions for Assembly and Adjustment of Christian Becker Chainomatic Balances
  • Care and Use of Analytical Balances - scanned (jpeg) pages; OCR text with scanned photos
  • Weights description letter and price list (1957)
• Mettler:
  • H5 associated documents:
    • Mettler Service (brochure)
    • Mettler, Multi-Purpose Balances Directions for Use (brochure)
    • Folder and miscellaneous items (unpacking/setting up sheet; tri-fold brochure- Mettler balances; tri-fold brochure- Test, Test, Test)
  • H10 associated documents:
    • Modern Analytical Balance poster (reduced (9"x 12") scan of original 24"x 36" poster)
    • Mettler H10/H20 Instructions (brochure)
  • M5 associated documents:
    • Micro balance Unpacking and setting up
    • Mettler Micro Balances - M5 Directions for use
• Seederer-Kolbush (SeKo): Directions for Setting up a Balance (c. 1960) (Higher Res)
• Voland & Sons: Instructions for VOLAND Analytical Balances
• William Ainsworth & Sons:
  • Ainsworth Analytical and Assay Balances: Bulletin A-10 November, 1940
  • Instructions for the Installation, Care, and Use of the Analytical Balance and the Micro Balance (1943)
  • Use and Care of Analytical• Micro• Semimicro Ainsworth Balances (1959)
• Weight Classification and Tolerances
  • Summary of NBS Circular 547 from Van Waters and Rogers, San Francisco (1963) Catalog 63 Laboratory Instruments...etc.
  • Essay, Laboratory Weights, Cenco (1950) Cat J- 150 General Catalog Laboratory Apparatus & Scientific Instruments. Central Scientific Co., Chicago, pp 31-32.
  • Reprint of NBS Circular 547 Precision Laboratory Standards of Mass and Laboratory Weights. National Bureau of Standards (now National Institutes of Standards and Technology [NIST]).

Last modified 8 September 2008