A mid-century Trippensee Tellurium This very atomic looking apparatus is without a doubt an unusual Mid Century conversation piece. It was designed to help teachers demonstrate the motions of the Earth and Moon around the Sun. By using a series of chain driven pulleys attached to spheres representing the sun, venus, earth and moon, the device reproduced the motions of the solar system. A Canadian by the name of Laing patented his tellurium on August 27, 1896 in Canada and on March 2, 1897 in the United States. He set up manufacturing operations in Detroit, Michigan as the Laing Planetarium Co. In 1905, three brothers by the name of Trippensee took over the firm, reorganizing as the Trippensee Manufacturing Co. Their first products were marketed as Laing Planetariums, however a new improved model was soon introduced bearing their own name that substituted a more reliable bicycle-style chain and gear drive. The tellurium we are offering is such. It has evolved one step further by being electric. The red arm rotates around the yellow ball (made of bakelite or plastic), which represents the sun and a black and white bakelite ball rotating around it is Venus. Earth consists of a hollow orb, covered by individual paper gores and made by Crams. It is mounted onto the other end of the bakelite arm and rotates around the sun as well as its own axis. The moon (black and white ball made of wood) circles around Earth. The base is made of very heavy cast iron and finished in a retro red color, matching the bakelite arm. A compass is located on the arm. All is functional, including lighting. Some wear to the finish and lab number identification are visible, testifying for its original use as an educational scientific instrument. A superb piece in motion! Perhaps a childhood memory, viewing the wonders of the universe at the planetarium. Here is your opportunity to share those memories at home with your children. Either way, an unusual Mid Century conversation piece. $775 — Item #: 1012TRIPMECH - SOLD