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Description:
This vintage instrument is a Rubicon Company Potentiometer, manufactured in Philadelphia, likely in the mid-20th century. The Rubicon Company, established in the 1930s, earned a reputation for high-precision electrical measuring instruments used in laboratory and testing environments before being acquired by Honeywell in 1957.
This device is a high-quality laboratory-grade potentiometer, designed to measure electrical potential difference (voltage) with great precision by balancing an unknown voltage against a known, stable reference. The unit is housed in a handsome wooden case with a black Bakelite top panel. It features a variety of adjustable knobs for calibration and decade selection, along with terminal binding posts for circuit connections. The layout includes multiple rotary dials, terminal switches such as GALV. and E.M.F., and fine-adjustment controls. The unit is marked "Rubicon Company, Philadelphia" and carries the serial number 18224. Please note the physical crack in one of the rotary control knobs.
Instruments of this era were essential tools for physics research and electrical engineering in the early to mid-20th century. Before modern digital multimeters, potentiometers like this were the gold standard for precision voltage measurement in university and industrial laboratories. They represent a period of high-precision manual engineering where researchers relied on analog, high-accuracy instruments to conduct fundamental experiments.
This item is perfect for scientific instrument collectors, those curating a collection of early 20th-century laboratory apparatus, or electrical test equipment enthusiasts. The aesthetic of the wood-and-Bakelite design makes it a striking display piece for offices, workshops, or laboratory-themed decor. Educators and museums may also find these devices excellent for demonstrating the history of electrical measurement and early circuit testing techniques.
SOLD UNTESTED AND AS FOUND. AS IS.
