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*

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)**
• 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 (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

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

Fisher Scientific

• Fisher Refractometer Instructions

Last modified 24 December 2007