| Reference number | PP/3/22/1 |
| Previous numbers | PP/35/23 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Manuscript, 'On the function of the sound-post and on the proportional thickness of the strings of the violin' by William Huggins |
| Date | 1883 |
| Description | Huggins writes: 'Sir John Herschel says: “It (the bridge) sets the wood of the upper face in a state of regular vibration, and this is communicated to the back through a peg set up in the middle of the fiddle, and through its sides, called the ‘soul’ of the fiddle, or its sounding-post.” Savart says: “L’âme a pour usage de transmettre au fond les vibrations de la table .... son diamétre est determiné par la qualité du son qu’on veut avoir; il est maigre quand elle est trop mince, et sourd quand elle est trop grossest."' He describes a series of experiments 'made for the purpose of ascertaining whether it be any part of the function of the sound-post to convey vibrations to the back, or whether this post acts solely as a prop supporting the belly, so that its elasticity is not injured by the pressure from the strings, and also, as Daguin states, affords the firm basis which he considers necessary for one foot of the bridge.'
Annotations in pencil and ink. Includes three printed diagrams.
Subject: Physics / Sound
Received 21 May 1883. Read 24 May 1883.
A version of this paper was published in volume 35 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'On the function of the sound-post and on the proportional thickness of the strings of the violin'. |
| Extent | 16p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | Ink and graphite pencil on paper |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| Access status | Open |
| Related material | DOI: 10.1098/rspl.1883.0040 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA7376 | Huggins; Sir; William (1824 - 1910); astronomer | 1824 - 1910 |
| NA8238 | Herschel; Sir; John Frederick William (1792 - 1871); astronomer | 1792 - 1871 |