Description

Atheistan Frederick Spilhaus holds and examines an air mass indicator, which measures factors like humidity in the air to be used in applications like air conditioning and predicting flying conditions.

Original caption 1 : "An air mass indicator, developed to register prevailing weather conditions in terms of temperature and relative humidity, shown in the hands of its designer, Athelstan F. Spilhaus, research assistant in the division of meteorology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The instrument does not forecast weather. For the scientist it identifies the type of air mass overlying a region. For the layman it indicates accurately the varying weather conditions of comfort he is accustomed to describe as "scorching", "muggy", "dry", "damp", "keen", "raw" or "frosty". It is expected to be useful in aviation to warn pilots of the peculiar atmoshperic conditions that cause ice to form on airplane wings. In air conditioning it will be useful for indicating comfortable conditions of temperature and humidity in buildings. From John J. Rowlands Director, News Service, Mass. Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.".

Original caption 2: "March 9, 1935".