overall: 35 1/4 in x 18 in x 30 in; 89.535 cm x 45.72 cm x 76.2 cm
mirror: 3 1/4 in x 14 in; 8.255 cm x 35.56 cm
boiler: 7 in x 2 in; 17.78 cm x 5.08 cm
flask: 13 1/4 in x 3 7/8 in; 33.655 cm x 9.8425 cm
crate: 34 in x 34 in x 18 1/2 in; 86.36 cm x 86.36 cm x 46.99 cm
Object Name:
solar boiler
Description:
Solar boiler designed by Charles Greely Abbot (1872-1973), astrophysicist and fifth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. It may be the one that was unveiled at an international power conference held in Washington in 1936.
The inscription on the associated alarm clock reads "CHEERO MADE BY THE . . . INGRAHAM CO. BRISTOL CONN., U.S.A." That on the associated steam engine reads "Boucher Inc. 415 Madison Ave. N.Y. MADE BY THE H. E. BOUCHER MFG. CO., N.Y., U.S.A."
Ref: “3,000 to Open Power Parlay In D.C. Today,” Washington Post (Sept. 7, 1936), p. XI.
“Abbot Improves Engine Heating Water By Sun Rays,” Washington Post (April 12, 1939), p. 28.
Charles G. Abbot, “Solar Heater,” U.S. Patent 2,247,830 (July 1, 1941).
