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Tellurium mechanical/electrical model of the solar system Phiwe Italian 1950s

$3,380.43
£2,520.26
€2,850
CA$4,642.51
A$5,195.89
CHF 2,713.06
MX$63,390.14
NOK 34,438.80
SEK 32,680.30
DKK 21,708.10
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About the Item

Tellurium, i.e., mechanical/electrical model representative of the solar system, made of metal with green and gray hammered paint, lithographed tin globe, plastic Moon, and metal base ballasted with lead and sand weights. Measurements 8x24x48 cm - inches 33x5.5x18.85 The instrument was made in the 1950s by the Italian Phiwe in Turin, Italy and marketed by the company La Lucerna via Nino Guerrini 7 Cuneo, complete with original booklet in Italian with instructions for use. The Tellurium is powered by electricity with a 220-volt bulb simulating sunlight, while the clockwork mechanic with belt and pulleys operates with two electric motors powered by two 4.5-volt batteries. The tool shows and simulates the rotational and revolutionary movements of the Earth, the position of the Earth relative to the Sun in the various seasons, the movements of the Moon around the Earth, lunar phases, and eclipses of the Moon and Sun. The Tellurium is an ancient astronomical instrument made up of clockwork mechanisms that allow us to observe from the outside, the motion that the Moon and Earth make within the Solar System. With the establishment of the heliocentric system theorized by Copernicus, it was possible, despite difficulties, to construct simplified mechanical models of the entire known Universe, with the Earth moving about itself , while the Moon revolved around the Earth and with it around the Sun. Related to the doctrine that the Universe moves like a giant clockwork device, the mechanical planetarium is able to represent this theory. The complex gearing system of a mechanical planetarium ensures that the planets revolve around the Sun according to their exact relative motion. Planetarians of these types were used for educational purposes by private tutors serving noble families throughout Europe, who entrusted them with the education of their heirs. The manufacturing company is PHYWE, which stands for the former Physicalische Werkstätten, Göttingen, which has been developing and producing scientific equipment for research and educational training for more than 100 years. With the establishment of the heliocentric system theorized by Copernicus, it was possible, despite difficulties, to construct simplified mechanical models of the entire known Universe, with the Earth moving about itself , while the Moon revolved around the Earth and with it around the Sun. Related to the doctrine that the Universe moves like a giant clockwork device, the mechanical planetarium is able to represent this theory. The complex gearing system of a mechanical planetarium ensures that the planets revolve around the Sun according to their exact relative motion. Telluri were used for educational purposes by private tutors serving noble families throughout Europe, who entrusted the education of their heirs to them.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18.85 in (47.88 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1950
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1020237246672

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