Unknown
Pair of Albums Titled "Pendulum Autographs" with Hundreds of Harmonograph Drawings, 1870s
Ink drawings (approximately 700) in two albums.
Albums each 6 1/8 x 7 3/4 inches overall
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A comprehensive, dizzying pair of albums containing over 700 “pendulum autographs” - complex, intricate drawings produced by a Harmonograph. The Harmonograph is a mechanical device that utilizes weights and pendulums...
A comprehensive, dizzying pair of albums containing over 700 “pendulum autographs” - complex, intricate drawings produced by a Harmonograph.
The Harmonograph is a mechanical device that utilizes weights and pendulums to create complex, compelling geometric designs. In its simplest form, one pendulum moves a drawing implement back and forth along one axis, while the other moves the drawing surface back and forth along a perpendicular axis. By varying their amplitudes, frequencies and the phase difference, a seemingly-endless array of patterns emerge. Most of these are Lissajous curves, such as ellipses, spirals or figure eights, but more complex versions of the device can be used to create designs of greater intricacy.
The invention of the Harmonograph is generally attributed to Professor Hugh Blackburn, a teacher of mathematics at the University of Glasgow, who popularized a precursor to the machine in the 1840s (which he called “Blackburn’s Pendulum”). The term “harmonograph” was coined in the 1870s, the name given due to the fact that it creates “a written record of the harmony of the pendulums.” The present pair of albums are titled “Pendulum Autographs.” Interestingly, this is the term coined by the British scientist Hubert Airy in an 1871 article published in “Nature,” which details his instructions for constructing a Harmonograph. Though it is unclear who exactly compiled the present albums, it is possible the Harmonium used was modeled after Airy’s design.
The front cover of the first album bears the initials "H.P." and the inside cover bears the following pencil inscription: "Brought to US by David Perrow, bookseller of Great Yarmouth, October 20th 1969. He said that the two volumes came from the library of Mr. E.H. Proctor of Great Yarmouth, who had been a pioneer of the motor car in that borough."
Though the Harmonograph was popular at Victorian-era social gatherings (as well as scientific functions) there are relatively few extant examples of them. We have been unable to trace any collection as comprehensive and complete as the present one.
The Harmonograph is a mechanical device that utilizes weights and pendulums to create complex, compelling geometric designs. In its simplest form, one pendulum moves a drawing implement back and forth along one axis, while the other moves the drawing surface back and forth along a perpendicular axis. By varying their amplitudes, frequencies and the phase difference, a seemingly-endless array of patterns emerge. Most of these are Lissajous curves, such as ellipses, spirals or figure eights, but more complex versions of the device can be used to create designs of greater intricacy.
The invention of the Harmonograph is generally attributed to Professor Hugh Blackburn, a teacher of mathematics at the University of Glasgow, who popularized a precursor to the machine in the 1840s (which he called “Blackburn’s Pendulum”). The term “harmonograph” was coined in the 1870s, the name given due to the fact that it creates “a written record of the harmony of the pendulums.” The present pair of albums are titled “Pendulum Autographs.” Interestingly, this is the term coined by the British scientist Hubert Airy in an 1871 article published in “Nature,” which details his instructions for constructing a Harmonograph. Though it is unclear who exactly compiled the present albums, it is possible the Harmonium used was modeled after Airy’s design.
The front cover of the first album bears the initials "H.P." and the inside cover bears the following pencil inscription: "Brought to US by David Perrow, bookseller of Great Yarmouth, October 20th 1969. He said that the two volumes came from the library of Mr. E.H. Proctor of Great Yarmouth, who had been a pioneer of the motor car in that borough."
Though the Harmonograph was popular at Victorian-era social gatherings (as well as scientific functions) there are relatively few extant examples of them. We have been unable to trace any collection as comprehensive and complete as the present one.