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Timer, Darkroom

Object number2018.142.12

OriginDayton, OH

MediumMetal; Plastic; Adhesive tape; Ink; Rubber; Electrical components; Electrical cord

Credit LineGift of Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

DescriptionSquare black metal darkroom timer. Front has silver border framing circular white timer face with two silver metal hands, central black plastic control knob, and white numbers in increments of five minutes/seconds and hash marks for each minute/second; white timer features are glow-in-the-dark. Front has toggle power switch in the top proper left corner and toggle outlet plug switch in the top proper right corner. Front has white maker text below hands and at bottom. Back has two keyhole openings for wall mounting. Proper left side has black and silver maker plate above protruding black electrical cord that ends in two-pronged plug. Proper left side has outlet with black plastic cover. Top side has toggle buzzer switch at center with silver-gray tape label next to it and engraved organizational name behind it; another silver-gray tape label at the proper right end has room name. Underside has four black rubber feet and square opening at back center.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 9.375 x 8.875 x 4.25 in. (23.8 x 22.5 x 10.8 cm)
Length (Cord): 56 in. (142.2 cm)
InscriptionsFront has white text in top proper right corner "OUTLET PLUG / OPEN / CLOSED".

Front has white text in top proper left corner "ON-OFF".

Front has glow-in-the-dark yellow-white numbers from 0-55 in increments of 5, numbers glow green in the dark; white "SET" with arrow between "0" and "5".

Top side has engraved text "Pittsburgh Filmmakers / ...681-9500"; text is partially obscured by tape.

Top side has gray tape at the proper right end with handwritten text in black ink "Purple / Rm." and gray tape next to the toggle switch with handwritten text in black ink "buzzeR".
MarksFront has white text below the hands "GRA / LAB / UNIVERSAL TIMER / MODEL 168".

Front has white text at bottom "MFD. BY DIMCO-GRAY COMPANY - DAYTON, OHIO".

Proper left side has black metal maker plate with silver and black text including "DIMCO-GRAY CO. / GRA / LAB / DAYTON, OHIO / MODEL NO. 168 / A.C. VOLTS 125 CYCLE 60 / ... / U.S. PAT NO. 2,562,546 / MADE IN U.S.A."
Historical NotesDarkroom timer. Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ Equipment Office was a space where students could check out camera kits, darkroom kits, studio lights, and keys to the various editing suites. Part of a collection related to Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (PF/PCA). Pittsburgh Filmmakers played a crucial role in Pittsburgh’s independent film community since its founding as an equipment access co-op in the early 1970s. As part of our ongoing initiative to collect and document the history of film in Pittsburgh, the Heinz History Center worked with Filmmakers on finding a home for some of the equipment, signage, and educational materials that helped shape the experience of generations of students and community members.

Previous owner Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

Previous owner Pittsburgh Filmmakers

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