PhD thesis of Dr John Crawford Bower, who undertook his MSc at the University of Melbourne before completing his doctorate at the Cavendish Laboratory in 1939. Bower was in the RAF Operational Research Group in World War II before returning to the University of Melbourne to become a physics lecturer after the war.

A student demonstration or general laboratory model capable of calibrating the pitch of the mechanical thread in terms of the wavelength ofvisible light, specifically a chosen emission line from the spectra of say mercury. The interferometer is pictured in a newspaper article ( “AFternoon with Scientists, ARGUS 6/5/1920 p.5); the aA. HILGER , LONDON Part no N2 301/20 200

"Salute to the X Ray Pioneers of Australia" by W Watson &Sons Ltd [1946] [Medical Library 610.9 WAT page 24-27 radiograph reproduction p26]Copies of the Lyle radiograph (see below) are on file with the letter (9Sept 1982) from J F Richardson (Australian Radiation Laboratory, as it was then called) detailing the description of the reproduction as follows: RADIOGRAPH OF PROFESSOR ORME MASSON'S FOOT! MOST PROBABLY THE FIRST RADIOGRAPH TAKEN IN AUSTRALIA. TAKEN BY PROFESSOR LYLE ON MARCH 3RD, 1896 USING A CROOKES DISCHARGE TUBE OF HIS OWN CONSTRUCTION

Last used in a Physics 2 experiment in the 1940-50s. Refer to the printed version Part 2 Laboratory Manual (ed. Natalie Allen) for further details. Likely acquisition in early 1900s by Lyle?? (Research on instrument makers catalogues has not been undefrtaken Photographed June 2003 (Nicola)

“Optical microscope made in Australia ater 1939-45 War. Designed by J.J. McNeill and G.G. Schaefer of Munitions School Laboratory, forerunner of Materials Research Laboratories. Built by MSL. Specifications: 2 objectives of 16mm and 4mm and 2 eyepieces 5x, 10x and a substage condenser. (Script of HC Bolton) Full discussion in Bolton, HC, “JJ MCNEILL AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPTICAL RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA. Historical Records of Australian Science 5 (1983) pp 55-70.Black and white photograph of optical microscope. Information in ink on back - see History of Object for transcript.

Stapled thin leaflet cover entitled “Natural Philosophy Laboratory University of Melbourne. Inspection of New Wing and Exhibition of Physical Apparatus and Experiments. Friday, August 25th, 1939 8pm to 10pm”. 15 pages in leaflet.

Black and white photo of Hercus and Osborne in laboratory.Handwritten in pencil on back of photo: “Duplicate L to R Hercus Osborne Laby”

Black and white photo of “J” apparatus in laboratory.

Part of a series entitled “Optical Munitions - School of Natural Philosophy, 1942-1945”. Black and white photo showing close up of glass optical flat in case. Photographed label reads: “Glass optical flat. Made by Natural Philosophy Laboratory. Melbourne University. Certificate Number 18. Accuracy of surface, flat within .000,001 (unmarked surface). Accuracy of surface, within .000,002 inch (marked) “use other side”. A photograh in Cd red light of the interference fringes of this flat when placed on a standard glass flat is shown above. Initials: [signature]. Tests made by: [VDH signature]. Certificate issued by T.H.L. Date: Feb 19th 1941.In ink on lower left hand corner : “17”.

Part of a series of optical munition snapshots 1940-1947. Refer to Cat No 137 for full details. Black and white photo of optical flat in de luxe case with certificate: “GLASS OPTICAL FLAT, made by Natural Philosophy Laboratory, Melbourne University” Number 18. Accuracy of surface flat within .000,001 inch .... Issued by (signd) T.H.L. Feb 19, 1941. Duplicate copy of Cat no 137; in OMP Album Vol 1 #17.In ink on lower left hand corner : “17”. Inscribed on back in pencil: “No. 17”

Certificate of Examination for #64 of one 6 inch glass scale, one 6 inch steel scale, and one 6 inch end gauge for Professor Lyle. 3 page document (copy) from National Physical Laboratory, Teddington. Paper held together with pin. (See also #63)

Vernon Harcourt’s Standard Pentane Lamp, consisting of the following components: 27.1: Wooden hinged box with key 27.2: Glass Pentane lamp 27.3: Metal clamp attachment 27.4: Empty glass bottle 27.5: Glass bottle stopper 27.6: 1.5 CP weight 27.7: 1 CP weight 27.8: Small metal bullet 27.9: Instruction sheet Miscellaneous: 2 screws to be reattached to lamp green small piece of glass small flat rectangular piece of metal cotton woolLabel on front of box (27.1): “1K5”; “Natural Philosophy Laboratory No. University of Melbourne” Label on inside of box (27.1) “Negretti and Zambra Opticians Meteorological Instrument Makers to the Queen To the Prince of Wales The Royal Observatory Greenwich The British Meteorological Society Admiralty, Board of Trust, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Holborn Viaduct. 45 Cornhill. 122 Regent Street & Crystal Palace London” (emblem also included on label). Plaque on lamp (27.2): “Nat. Phil. Lab No. Univ. of Melb.”; “Vernon Harcourt Standard Pentane Lamp No. 2. Made by Woodhouse & Rawson Electrical Manfg Coy No. 4590” Label on clamp (27.3): “Nat Phil. Lab. N. Univ. of Melb” Moulded on glass bottle (27.4): “4 oz” Inscribed on weight (27.6): “1.5CP” Inscribed on weight (27.7): “1 CP”

Black and white photograph of “J” Apparatus laboratory (refer to Reg No. 33 and Reg No. 34). Laminated photograph is mounted on wood and secured with masking tape. Metal hook on back for hanging. Frame is painted black.Stamped on back: “Artfilm Laminating Block Mounting Specialists, 337 Balwyn Road, North Balwyn 3104. Tel: 816 3691”

Laboratory Reference Book - Norwellan & AUNDE North Western Woolen Mills became Norwellan Textiles then AUNDERed hard cover book with Green Cream and Black DustcoverJohn T. Bennett Lyddon Hall, Leeds 2manufacturing

Laboratory Reference Book - Norwellan & AUNDE North Western Woolen Mills became Norwellan Textiles then AUNDEDark Blue hard cover book with Gold writing on spineJohn T. Bennett manufacturing

Used originally at the High School, in physics class, when school was an H.E.S.Three footed iron stand with 2 holding clamps for laboratory beakers, one Pyrex glass beaker, fluted shaped, adjusting thumb screws on clampsBranded on feet: "Selby & Co / Sydney / Melbourne" On beaker: "Crown / Pyrex / 300"branded on feet: "selby & co / sydney / melbourne" on beaker: "crown / pyrex / 300", laboratory equipment, beaker, crown pyrex, selby & co