The Cooper Union Archives & Special Collections

Antique Physics Instruments

Behind a glass-fronted cabinet in the Physics Lab on the 3rd floor of 41 Cooper lies an unexpected sight: rows of heavy ceramic, metal, and wood physics instruments, produced between the late 1800s and mid-1900s. These antique physics instruments were inherited by Physics Department Chair Professor Philip Yecko along with the space, and are believed to have been used by past Cooper students and faculty .

In the spring of 2023, Mechanical Engineering senior Ezra Sardes researched and photographed the physics instruments for the Archives. The resultant catalog gives researchers a visual representation of the instruments listed on the accompanying finding aid, while the instruments themselves remain in the lab for students to appreciate. 

On working with these materials, Sardes says: "I wrote a disclaimer in the finding aid, 'don't try to use them,' but a lot of them are still functional, which is really impressive to me considering that some of them date back to the late 1800s. These objects are still functional, but some of the things we built ten years ago don't work anymore."

"Also there's something great about the physicality of them," adds Sardes. "When we're working with circuits now we use a computer or a breadboard and really small parts. But when you make things really micro, you lose sight of what's physically happening. By contrast these instruments are analog and tactile."

Interested in learning more? View the physics instruments digital catalog or search the Cooper Union collection of antique physics lab instruments finding aid. If you'd like to view particular materials in person, please reach out to us at archives@cooper.edu. 

Interested in supporting the preservation of Cooper history? You can become a Friend of the Cooper Union Library for as little as $25 (or as much as you want!) View our webpage on giving to the library for more information.