PRESERVING THE PAST: FORGING THE FUTURE

A potentiometer is an instrument for measuring voltage by comparing an unknown voltage with a known reference voltage, standard cell. This particular instrument, created by Otto Wolff of Berlin and sold by Central Scientific Co. (circa 1915), measures a voltage of 15 volts with an accuracy of .0001 V. This potentiometer is one of several scientific instruments on display in the History of Science Collections, loaned to the University of Oklahoma Libraries by the department of chemistry and biochemistry and the Homer L. Dodge department of physics and astronomy. The collection is curated by Stu Ryan, David Ross Boyd professor, emeritus, department of physics and astronomy.
 
While the physical object is too fragile to be handled, 3D scans of these objects allow for deeper interaction and preservation. Emerging technologies librarian Kristi Wyatt explains how the digital model was created and potential implications.