Description: Soap bubble model.

Caption: This wooden model was is created from painted wooden beads which are simply glued together. Kelvin reputedly did his modeling of the 'ether' in his spare time at Netherhall, his private residence at Largs in Ayrshire, some time between 1884 and 1894.

Introduction: This model was used by Kelvin in his researches into light transmission, to visualize the internal structure of his idealized 'ether'. It was a precursor to his 'bedspring' model ( see GLAHM 113643).

Background: Kelvin had largely abandoned the theory of the 'ether' by the early eighteen nineties calling the experience "fifty years of ether dipsomania". Although Kelvin's theories on light were ultimately wrong, his habit of making model to represent physical processes has become standard practice in all branches of science and engineering across the world.

Reference: Thomson, William, Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs. "Baltimore lectures on molecular dynamics and the wave theory of light", 1904 p. 628

Historical Context: Design - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Designed by Kelvin - When: 1887 - Where: Netherhall, Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland

Historical Context: Made by Kelvin - When: 1887 - Where: Scotland

Historical Context: Manufacture - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Used at the Gilbert Scott Buildings in lecture demonstrations in the Department of Natural Philosophy - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Used in research and teaching of Natural Philosophy - Where: Natural Philosophy Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Used in the Gilbert Scott B'lding by Prof. William Thomson in the Department of Natural Philosophy now called the Department of Physics and Astronomy - When: 1887-1899

Historical Context: Event - "Lord Kelvin: A life in science" exhibition, Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow. Object on display in this exhibition.