Galileo Thermometers were originally invented by Galileo Galilei in the 17th century. Did Galilei ever believe that his clever discovery of how liquid densities behace at different temperatures, would produce such decorative ornaments? Decorative ornaments however, that actually work! Galileo Thermopmeters are simple, yet remarkably accurate. They comprise a sealed glass tube that is filled with water and several floating glass bubbles. These are filled with a coloured liquid.
Attached to each bubble is a little tag, identifying a temperature. Engraved into the tag are the degree symbols. The weight of each tag is slightly different from the others. As the bubbles are all hand-blown glass, they vary slightly in size and shape. The Galileo Thermometer lass bubbles are calibrated by adding a certain amount of liquid so that they have the exact same density. After the weighted tags are attached to the bubbles, each differs a little in density from the others.
So - as the temperature changes, the density of bubbles changes in realtion to the surrounding watewr, causing it to floaT to the top.
Enough of the science! Click through t the next page to see this wonderful collection of Galileo Thermometers for yourself.
