Goethe Weatherglass (Barometers)
1 -
19" Oak Weatherglass
|
2 -
15" Oak Weatherglass
|
3 -
8.25" Glass Weatherglass |
In 1832, after the death of
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a pear-shaped piece of glass was found
in his bedroom on the Frauenplan in Weimar, Germany; the glass was
flat on one side and convex on the other. Upon examination of Goethe's
unpublished scientific papers, it was discovered that this was a
weatherglass which, when about half full of water, reliably indicated
all changes in air pressure. In 1792/93 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
went to Ilmenau/Thuringen. The development of the Goethe barometer
is attributed to him in cooperation with the local glass industry.
This Goethe weather glass, which was also used by sailors, among
others, was replaced by the mercury barometer and has sunk into oblivion.
An original still hangs in the Goethe Museum in Weimar. It is called
the "Goethe Weatherglass".