Courtesy the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society: https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/join-and-support/
This is a model of the Tempest Prognosticator at Whitby Museum, which was made for the 1951 Festival of Britain, a copy of the (lost) original as displayed at the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park London.
It consists of leeches in jars (12, so they don’t get lonely!). As atmospheric pressure drops, the leeches tend to climb the jars, disturbing a small piece of whalebone in the neck of the jar, which (via a chain) causes a bell to sound. Hence providing an audible indication of a drop in pressure, and hence a probably forthcoming storm (hence “Tempest Prognosticator”).
This model is for use in our VR simulation of the Great Exhibition. Further information here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA-_xnPePiDJkZAC0aF8Va5fdajVaI_Z1
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