The Neuramœbimeter.
A Short Guide to "Hirn und Zeit"

Neuramœbimeter. Taken from Castagna, Ludwig. n. d. Neuramöbimeter nach Hofrath Prof. Dr. Sigm. Exner und Prof. Dr. H. Obersteiner. Wien.

The Neuramœbimeter is a simple instrument for measuring reaction times in human beings. Invented in the late 19th century, it presents itself as a compromise-formation between chronoscopic and chronographic laboratory devices. More concretely, it combines features of a telegraph key and a tuning fork. Devoid of a contact, the telegraph key here culminates in an elongated spring, carrying a bristle or needle. The spring is arranged in such a manner that, similar to a tuning fork, it oscillates in lateral direction exactly 100 times per second. As long as the Neuramœbimeter remains at rest, the needle lies on a rectangular glass plate.