Duncan Model A Wattmeter, 1903

01

Artifact Overview

In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used--and then charge them accordingly. Thomas Duncan developed wattmeters for several companies before starting his own meter manufacturing business in 1901. This wattmeter was the first model produced by the newly formed Duncan Electric Manufacturing Company.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Wattmeter

Date Made

1903

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.1980.1406

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Edison Pioneers.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)

Color

Black (Color)
White (Color)
Gold (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 12.5 in
Width: 10.25 in
Length: 9 in

Inscriptions

on plate: DIRECT CURRENT/ INTEGRATING WATTMETER/ AMPS 7 1/2 3 WIRES/ VOLTS 220 NO 2366/ DUNCAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO./ LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, U.S.A./ PATENTS PENDING on readout: KILOWATT HOURS/ DUNCAN INTEGRATING WATTMETER/ DUNCAN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LAFAYETTE, IND. U.S.A.
Duncan Model A Wattmeter, 1903