Question re: Taylor Etched Stem thermometer

F4U · 2025-09-07T23:30:36-0400

I have 2 of these thermometers in their paper tube that go by the posted name, plus Made For Kodak on the label. My question is, why are they only marked for the 75F to 90F range, and those markings in 1 degree increments are near the top of the glass stem? There would have been plenty of room below that to extent the range with markings. why only 75 to 90" Kodak alwayshad a love affair with 68 degrees F. I suppose that's where the kept the thermostat turned to in their R&D department, although i would be freezing my fanny off i I had to work in a 68 degree research lab 8 ours a day for 40 years. but that's beside the point. Why the 75 to 90 degree range only?

Dave Ludwig · 2025-09-08T00:09:41-0400

If you look up Taylor thermometers you will find a wide variety of temperature ranges available, including -80 to +20C and 100 to 900F. Kodak probably used these as part of their production process and not for retail sales, hence "made FOR Kodak".

F4U · 2025-09-08T00:33:57-0400

Dave Ludwig said:
If you look up Taylor thermometers you will find a wide variety of temperature ranges available, including -80 to +20C and 100 to 900F. Kodak probably used these as part of their production process and not for retail sales, hence "made FOR Kodak".

Plausible response. But I have no idea why Kodak would have needed a 75 to 90F thermometer back in the day.

MattKing · 2025-09-08T00:49:01-0400

F4U said:
Plausible response. But I have no idea why Kodak would have needed a 75 to 90F thermometer back in the day.

E3 and C22 were optimized for 75F, so probably not those.
E4 process was optimized for 85F, so probably that.
E6 replaced E4 in 1976, so your thermometer is designed for a process that was phased out almost 50 years ago.
Try not to take it personally

mshchem · 2025-09-08T00:58:18-0400

I think 20°C 68°F is still what all laboratory glassware (volumetric flasks, pipets, graduates) are still calibrated at.

F4U · 2025-09-08T01:11:34-0400

MattKing said:
E3 and C22 were optimized for 75F, so probably not those.
E4 process was optimized for 85F, so probably that.
E6 replaced E4 in 1976, so your thermometer is designed for a process that was phased out almost 50 years ago.
Try not to take it personally

So, there's my answer. Probably just a laboratory-grade thermometer, meant for Eastman Kodak Co. official usage for E4 research n the 1950's. They likely paid a thousand dollars apiece in 1950's money for these. Now on ebay for practically nothing. Like a Tektonix 514 oscilloscope with 40 tubes that was made for Los Alamos and cost the government 10 million dollars apiece. Now on ebay for $50 pickup only. and the poor slob that wants it out out his garage will pay you $50 to come haul it off.

MattKing · 2025-09-08T01:26:21-0400

F4U said:
So, there's my answer. Probably just a laboratory-grade thermometer, meant for Eastman Kodak Co. official usage for E4 research n the 1950's.

Nah - Eastman Kodak and its international subsidiaries probably sold them to all the labs running E4 that were being supplied and supported by Kodak.
Plus of course they were probably using them in the labs that Kodak ran themselves.
With Ektachrome and colour print materials and commercial black and white processing, Kodak's business was focused on supplying and supporting third party commercial labs. They made much more money doing that then through running their own labs.

Question re: Taylor Etched Stem thermometer

F4U

Dave Ludwig

F4U

MattKing

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mshchem

F4U

MattKing

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Question re: Taylor Etched Stem thermometer

F4U

Dave Ludwig

F4U

MattKing

Moderator

mshchem

F4U

MattKing

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