Adie Barometer
The most remarkable aspect of the career of Alexander Adie was the manner
in which he combined scientific excellence as an instrument maker with
aesthetic flair in his designs. His Edinburgh firm dominated the field
of Scottish instrument making in the first half of the 19th Century and
produced scientific equipment for most of the departments of the University.
Such was the esteem in which he was held by the academic community that
in 1819 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh –
an unprecedented honour for a mere technician.
Adie’s most famous invention was the sympiesometer, a highly
robust barometer for marine use, eventually superseded by the aneroid.
His barometers for domestic and lighthouse use are instantly recognisable,
simplicity of line being the keynote. Ten years ago, we advertised a
hitherto unrecorded stick barometer with striking architectural mouldings,
executed in rosewood. We are now offering a related model of monumental
proportions, this time in burr maple. It also has the added refinements
of an ivory float mechanism for zeroing purposes and a double scale
to record both today’s and yesterday’s readings.
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