Horizontal Kymograph


Accession Number: 2012.psy.101


The instrument consists of a brass drum that is horizontally mounted between an anterior axle post and a posterior mechanical drive box. A spinning mechanical regulator protrudes from the top of the drive box. The drum is mounted on metal base with three levelling screws.

Alternative Name:

Primary Materials: Brass, metal


Old catalogue number = “Psy 62”. Inscribed upon the instrument: “Ch.[ar]les Verdin, Constructeur, 7 Rue Linne a Paris, 1892, 3040”.

Dimensions (cm): Height = 33, Width = 21, Length = 59


This Kymograph recorded temporal variations in physiological or muscular events. The revolving drum would have beeb wrapped with smoked paper which was marked by a signal marker that recorded levels of electrical or mechanical stimulus.


Excellent: some scratching, missing components and residue.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer: Charles Verdin, Paris

Date of Manufacture: 1892


Department of Psychology, University of Toronto

Historical Notes:

1) Titchener, E. B. (1918). Experimental Psychology, a Manual of Laboratory Practice: Volume I, Quantitative Experiments, Part II. Instructor’s Manual. New York: MacMillan, Vol. 1, pp. 172-176.