Duncan Model A Wattmeter, 1905-1908

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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

1905-1908

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

43.141.51

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Consumers Power Company.

Material

Metal
Glass (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Black (Color)
White (Color)
Gray (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 12.75 in
Width: 7.5 in
Length: 8 in

Inscriptions

on readout: ONE DIVISION ON TENTHS OF THIS DIAL = 1/10 KILOWATT HOUR OR 100 WATT HOURS on plate: DUNCAN PATENTS/ 752048 FEB 16 '04/ [...] 796070 AUG 1 '05 on plate: DUNCAN DIRECT CURRENT INTEGRATING WATTMETER/ AMPS 5 NO 73813/ VOLTS 220-250 2 WIRE/ DUNCAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO. LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, U.S.A.