Among the holdings in Yale Peabody Museum’s Division of Historical Scientific Instruments are models from various disciplines, including physics, mathematics, engineering and geology. Models are either ideal or actual representations of theory, and so are particularly important in teaching and experimental design.

• Airplane model
• Hydraulic press
• Model of diamond crystal structure
• Piano model
• Plaster model for demonstrating pressure–volume, temperature–volume, temperature–pressure relationships
• Stone crusher model
• Telephone
• Wooden dancing figures

The Yale Peabody Museum’s collections are available to legitimate researchers for scholarly use. Loans are issued to responsible individuals at established institutions. Loans and access to the collection can be arranged through the Collections Manager.

Airplane Model

 

Wood, metal, cardboard
YPM catalog no. 5.521

Length 21.6 inches (54.6 centimeters)
Height 4.75 inches (12 centimeters)
Width 24.5 inches (62.2 centimeters)

Hydraulic Press

 

Brass cylinder with enclosed piston
connecting brass tube and force pump.
YPM catalog no. 1.275

Length 18 inches (46 centimeters)
Width 18 inches (46 centimeters)
Height 23 inches (58 centimeters)

Model of Diamond Crystal Structure

 

Brass
YPM catalog no. 5.554

Length 11 inches (27 centimeters)
Width 11 inches (27 centimeters)
Height 11 inches (27 centimeters)

Piano Model

 

Wood, steel, ivory, felt
YPM catalog no. 5.54

Height 30 inches (74.3 centimeters)
Length 25 inches (64.12 centimeters)
Width 7 inches (18 centimeters)

Plaster Model for Demonstrating Pressure Relationships

 

Plaster, paper
YPM catalog nos. 5.111a, 5.111b

Plaster model for demonstrating
pressure–volume, temperature–volume
and temperature–pressure relationships

Total length 6.8 inches (17.5 centimeters)
Total width 6.8 inches (17.5 centimeters)
Total height 8.3 inches (21 centimeters)

Stone Crusher Model

 

Wood, iron, rubber? (cloth covered), brass
YPM catalog no. 1.72

Length 11 inches (28 centimeters)
Width 5.5 inches (14 centimeters)
Height 10.5 inches (27 centimeters)

Telephone

 

Wood, steel (painted), brass,
aluminum?, paper?
YPM catalog no. 1.102

Length 9 inches (23 centimeters)
Width 7 inches (18 centimeters)
Height 10.9 inches (27.8 centimeters)

Wooden Dancing Figures

 

The figures dance when electrically charged.

Wood, steel (painted), brass,
aluminum?, paper?

YPM catalog no. 1.308 (top)
Body length 3 inches (7.7 centimeters)
Body width 1 inch (3 centimeters)
Head length 1 inch (3.4 centimeters)
Head width 1 inch (2.9 centimeters)

YPM catalog no. 1.310 (bottom)
Body length 4 inches (9.6 centimeters)
Body width 1 inch (2.3 centimeters)
Height 0.5 inch (1.4 centimeters)