ɬ﷬

Physiology Research Instruments: A 20th Century Sample from ɬ﷬

The study of physiology is intimately associated with instruments and the measurements that can be made with them. This exhibit shows some of those used and made at ɬ﷬ during the past, ranging from a late 19th century myograph that graphically recorded changes in a stimulated frog muscle to a 20th century analogue computer – “the squid box” – able to simulate the electrical activity of a single neuronal axon.  In addition to descriptive texts, short YouTube videos that describe the basic principles of the instrument’s functions are available for viewing.

Research Instruments

In addition to images and descriptive texts, short YouTube videos are available for viewing. 

History: 1880 and 1903

The development of laboratory instruments is closely intertwined with the growth of physiology.

Brodie-Starling Smoked-Drum Kymograph

Smoked-drum kymographs were widely used from the mid-19th-century until about the mid-20th century.

Sanborn “Twin-Viso” Chart Recorder

The general-purpose strip-chart recorder shown here was manufactured by the Sanborn Company between 1935 and 1955.

Back to top