An old cigarette card (c. 1929) with a portrait of Lord Kelvin and an illustration of his patent standard compass (mariner's compass). A ship's magnetic compass was mounted in gimbals to keep it level. Iron nails (and later iron cladding on ships) caused deviations to compass readings. Lord Kelvin patented his compass in the 1880s. It incorporated two compensating spheres. ('Kelvin's balls' or 'navigator's balls'). Belfast born William Thomson, Baron Kelvin (1824–1907) was a mathematical physicist and engineer.
An old cigarette card (c. 1929) with a portrait of Lord Kelvin and an illustration of his patent standard compass (mariner's compass). A binnacle traditionally housed the ship's magnetic compass, mounted in gimbals to keep it level while the ship pitched and rolled. Early binnacles used iron nails, which caused magnetic deviations to compass readings. With iron-clad ships the situation became more severe. In 1854 a new type of binnacle was patented by John Gray of Liverpool which used adjustable correcting magnets on screws or rack and pinions. This was improved again when Lord Kelvin patented in the 1880s another system of compass which incorporated two compensating spheres. These are referred to as 'Kelvin's balls' or 'navigator's balls'. Belfast born William Thomson, Baron Kelvin (1824–1907) was a mathematical physicist and engineer. This card is from a 1929 set entitled 'Scientific Inventions and Discoveries' (35 cards in the series). The firm of R and J Hill Cigarettes was established on Shoreditch High Street, Hackney, London in the 1700s. In the twentieth century the company issued cards with their Sunripe and Spinet Oval cigarettes. The firm expanded to include H Archer and Co and issued cards, like this set, under 'The Spinet House' brand. The company no longer exists.
Size: 1925px × 3307px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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