Spinthariscope
Production date
1903
Country
England
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Object detail
Description
Spinthariscope, small gold coloured cylinder, magnifying glass can be unscrewed from top, small half moon shaped "toggle" at base.
Classification
SCIENCES Demonstration Equipment spinthariscope
Production date
1903
Production place
Measurements
H34 x Dia 23 mm
Media/Materials description
Gold (Metal Plating)
Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
Indeterminate (Glass)
Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
Indeterminate (Glass)
Signature/Marks
<Stamped on spinthariscope > 'SPINTHARISCOPE\W. CROOKES\1903\NEWTON & Cº\3 FLEET ST E.C.'
History and use
The spinthariscope was invented by William Crookes in 1903 after he discovered that a zinc sulphide screen scintillated under radioactive emissions. Crookes named his device after the Greek word 'spintharis' meaning 'a spark'.
Considered to be the first radiation counter it detected individual decay events demonstrated through flashes of light. Each flash was produced by an individual alpha particle.
This object was donated by the Marks family. The Marks family was a prominent Brisbane family that made significant contributions to the fields of science and medicine.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Considered to be the first radiation counter it detected individual decay events demonstrated through flashes of light. Each flash was produced by an individual alpha particle.
This object was donated by the Marks family. The Marks family was a prominent Brisbane family that made significant contributions to the fields of science and medicine.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Registration number
H23659.1
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