Vintage Lucite Encased Crookes Radiometer
Updated September 11, 2026
| Lot number | 1348 |
| Auction | The FALL INTO FALL Antiques Auction |
| Date | September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT |
| Auction house | Blue Crab Auction |
| Location | Annapolis, Maryland |
A vintage mid-century scientific art object or desk toy featuring a traditional glass bulb radiometer safely embedded inside a solid block of clear acrylic or Lucite plastic. When exposed to sunlight or bright incandescent light, the black sides absorb more radiant energy than the reflective sides, causing gas molecules to kick off the warmer surface and spin the wheel. While standard glass radiometers allow direct light and ambient air contact around the bulb, embedding the unit in a thick block of Lucite changes the thermal and optical properties. Most solid Lucite pieces serve primarily as striking decorative paperweights, vintage curiosities, or display sculptures rather than precision scientific instruments.
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