Aristotle's watering pot. A small tin watering can with small holes perforated in the base.

Title

Aristotle's watering pot. A small tin watering can with small holes perforated in the base.

Identifier

ABDNP:200119a

Description

'Aristotle’s Watering Pot' was another demonstration piece in Professor Patrick Copland’s repertoire about 200 years ago.

Tipping up the pot while holding a thumb over the air-hole above the handle, it could be filled through the spout. With the spout then firmly bunged, water would not flow out of the perforated base even when the pot was held upright because it was sealed below by the large surface tension of the water and sealed above by the thumb. Moving the thumb would cause water to be released.

Date

1780-1800

Format

tinplate
diameter including handle and spout 210 mm, height 125 mm

Creator

Patrick Copland

Type

Physical Object

UUID

5bb27a60-689d-4f78-b506-bfe12e6c1ae6