Globe, Astronomy, Tellurian, Laing’s Style Planetarium (prop rental)

Laing’s Style Tellurian
American: 20th Century
Wood, metal, terrestrial globe
13.5 inches high; 24 inches long, extended

Available principally for prop rental; please inquire.

For other tellurians for rental or purchase please see Planetary Devices.

A planetarium astronomy demonstration device made in the 20th Century. It is modeled after one that was originally produced by Laing Planetarium Co. of Detroit, Michigan, circa 1897 to 1908. This example is basically a tellurian that includes the planet Venus. A tellurian is a scientific instrument related to an orrery; it shows the reasons for seasons, eclipses, day and night, and other principles of astronomy.

This device is comprised of a three-inch terrestrial globe turning at the end of a wooden arm, spherical painted wood representations of the moon and the planet Venus, and a gold ball representing the sun. It is raised on a turned central standard supported by round base having an inset circular calendar with the signs of the zodiac. The earth rotates and revolves, and the moon and Venus  revolve, by turning the wooden arm by hand holding a post under it, thereby engaging various string belts affixed to pulley-form discs.

This is rented as a static device for display, not as a working instrument that rotates and revolves as originally intended.