Record

Collection	ABDNP University of Aberdeen, Natural Philosophy Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
Object Name	Head of Despair
Object Number	ABDNP:200112a
Other Number	112; C307
Other Number Type	old number; collection number
Brief Description	Wooden painted head, the hair is woven into a cloth scalp that is connected by an internal rod to the base. The hair stands on end when the head is sat on a electrostatically charged table, King's visitors' centre caption "Another of Professor Copland's amusements. When the head is electrostatically charged, the hair stands on end in a "shocking" fashion."
Dimensions	diameter 60 mm, height 75 mm
Materials	tinfoil, metal, wood
Condition	good
Completeness	incomplete
Completeness Note	missing central rod
Maker	Professor Patrick Copland
Object Production Date	1780-1810
Object History Note	The object was displayed in the first exhibition ('100 Curiosities') at King's Museum which opened in April 2011.
Publication Note	Newsletter No. 9 May 1988

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