The King George III Collection

 

Model of Archimedes' screw, 1761-2. This model was made by George Adams in 1761-2 to demonstrate the working of the hydraulic screw whose invention is traditionally ascribed to Archimedes. Turning the handle at the top makes a ball travel up the helical tube. This model was probably inspired by the French experimental philosopher Abbé Nollet who wrote 'by means of this ingenious machine a body rises by virtue of the same force that makes it descend. It can easily be seen that if the lower part of the screw is immersed in water the pipe must fill as it turns so that water will flow out at the top.' The hydraulic screw is still in use in many parts of the world. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Philosophical table, c.1761-1762 The philosophical table is the centrepiece of the mechanics apparatus made by george Adams, instrument maker to the king, for George III. It was designed for use in almost all of the mechanics demonstrations. The upright pillar at one end can be used to suspend magnets and pulleys, and for pendulum and impact experiments. The apparatus for collision experiments is attached to the far end. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Inclined horse-way, c.1761-2 In the mid-eighteenth century there was much debate about the design of carriages, because of the damage caused to roads, particularly the new turnpikes, by their wheels. This model, made by George Adams, is designed to show the effect of different diameters and widths of wheels and is an example of natural philosophy applied to everyday problems. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Compound engine, c.1761-2 Adams's compound engine combines two engines described by Willem 's Gravesande. Its maker, Adams, was particularly proud of this instrument, calling it 'one of the simplest and most elegant compound engines I have ever seen or read of'. It demonstrates the principle that in order to lift a large weight through a small distance, a small weight must fall through a large distance. The machine shows the effect of combining several simple machines, such as the wheel and axle and the screw. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Air pump and condenser, 1761 This air pump by George Adams is the centrepiece of the pneumatics apparatus commissioned by George III in 1761. The arrangement of valves is copied from a pump made about 10 years earlier by John Smeaton, who later became famous as a civil engineer. The air pump can be used to remove air from a container, such as the glass jar shown, to show the effects of air pressure, for example. Alternatively, it can be used to pump air into a container to show the effects of pressure higher than normal. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Magdeburg hemispheres, 1761 These small hemispheres were made by George Adams for King George III in 1761. If the air between them is removed, a weight of around 40 lb is required to separate them. However, if they are placed in a bell jar from which the air has been taken out using an air pump, they will fall apart. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Bell in vacuo demonstration, 1761 This is another of the instruments supplied to the King by George Adams in 1761. The clockwork bell rings inside a bell jar from which the air is taken out using the air pump. As the air is removed, the bell becomes inaudible. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Silver microscope, c.1763 George Adams made two almost identical silver microscopes, one for George III and one for the Prince of Wales, the future George IV. This is the one made for the Prince of Wales. Although it is richly decorated and very ornate, it is based on Adams's standard design for a microscope. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Image of a flea seen through the the microscope made for George III. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Prince of Wales microscope, c.1756-60 The inscription on this instrument reads 'Invented and made by Geo Adams in Fleet Street Mathematical Instrument Maker to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales'. It is therefore known as the Prince of Wales microscope. As the inscription refers to the future George III, the microscope must date between 1756, when he set up his household, and 1760 when he became king. A rather better instrument than the silver microscope, it has exceptionally fine focusing. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Terrestrial and celestial globes, c.1766 These were made by George Adams for the King. Adams also published a book describing how to use them and including a dedication to the King written by Dr Johnson. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Celestial globe, c.1766 In designing his celestial globe, George Adams drew on the work of the French astronomer Abbé Nicolas de Lacaille, who had mapped the stars in the southern hemisphere from 1750-52. Lacaille's map published in 1763 arranged the southern stars into constellations based on scientific instruments. Adams reproduced the constellations but used his own instruments in the design. Here, we see the microscope produced for the Prince of Wales, and the air pump. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Electrical machine, c.1762 Demonstrations of electrical effects became more common after the invention around 1747 of the Leiden jar. The jar stored electric charge, and so allowed more impressive demonstrations. This version of an electrical machine was made by George Adams around 1762. The glass cylinder is turned using the handle so that it rubs against a fabric-covered pad and causes a charge to build up. The charge can be conducted away from the brass back plate of the pad and used to make sparks. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library

 

Magnetic toy, 1765 This toy consisted of six hearts made from different metals: gold, silver, lead, tin, copper and iron. The gold heart is missing. All six were kept in a mahogany box. If the lid of the box is closed, and the ivory tube with the compass needle placed over the hearts, the needle moves to indicate the metal directly below it. This effect is caused by a magnet concealed within each heart. © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library