Exhibits for Purchase
Gravity Well Info | Whisper Dish Info | Exhibit Shipping Info | Exhibit Pricing | Order
Gravity Well
The Gravity Well is undoubtedly one of the most popular exhibits ever developed. Available since 1982, our Gravity Well can be seen in over 36 states and 14 foreign countries. Children and adults alike will spend hours orbiting steel balls (or coins) into the hyperbolic funnel, watching them accelerate and decelerate before dropping into the center hole. The exhibit combines a visual demonstration of Kepler's laws of planetary motion with the potential to raise money by using the Gravity Well as a donation-attracting device.
The Gravity Well is an ideal exhibit: low maintenance, free standing, self-contained, no electricity required, fun and appealing for all ages, and has profit potential. Several museums have told us that they average $1,000 - $5,000 per year in Gravity Well coin donations.
Our Gravity Well is museum quality, not to be confused with cheaper imitations. Construction is 3/16" fiberglass tooling resin with a gelcoat surface. The total diameter of the Well is 62.5" with an 18" vertical drop. The diameter of the central hole is 1.5". A 3.5" trough runs around the circumference of the 62.5" Well.
Although the 62.5" Well is best for orbiting time, many groups have asked for a smaller, more portable Well. In response, we are pleased to introduce a smaller 42" version, which will fit the same pedestal base as the original Gravity Well, but can be moved easily in the back of a standard van. Vertical drop is 15.5" with a 1.5" diameter central hole. On the 42" well, the rim is solid for a finished look.
Gravity Well Pedestal Base
A matching fiberglass pedestal base holds the Gravity Well at a convenient 30" height for visitors to use. The bottom of the pedestal is 36" in diameter for stability, with vinyl edging for additional protection. A locking coin box (shown on right) within the base allows for retrieval of donations at leisure. For those who prefer not to use the exhibit as a donation attracting device, the cover of the coin box can be removed and the base will act as a chute to deliver the ball (or other object) back to the visitor.
Gravity Well Coin Slide
A deluxe bi-directional coin slide is available for both the 62.5" and 42" Gravity Wells. This is molded from the same resin as the well, itself, and is curved to fit securely onto the rim, mounting with just t
wo screws. Not only does the slide create a more finished appearance, it has the added advantage of allowing the visitor to launch coins in opposite directions at the same time. Contrasting colors between the slide and the well can create additional interest. If you already own one of our original coin slides, please note that the new bi-directional coin slide can be used as a replacement. The new slide will completely cover the previous mounting holes. Because of the superiority of the new molded slide, we are discontinuing our original hand-made acrylic coin slide.
Standard colors for the Gravity Well and Pedestal Base are either black or white. However, almost any color is available by special order. A particularly striking effect can be created by using separate contrasting colors for the Base and Well.
We are proud to offer the Gravity Well as a complete “turnkey” exhibit -- with molded hyperbolic curve, molded pedestal base and coin slide! Of course, the individual components can also be purchased separately. If you previously purchased one of our Gravity Wells without a base, the new pedestal base should fit it with no problem.
Whisper Dish
Whisper Dishes are parabolic sound reflectors that will focus, transmit, and receive sound waves from opposite ends of a room. Visitors can speak in a whisper and still be heard clearly by the person at the other dish. The focal point of each dish can be marked by a focus ring (available separately) which assists in the use and understanding of the exhibit.
Visitors can:
- Send messages back and forth
- Hear their own voices reflected back to them
- Identify the focal point of each dish
- Intercept other person's conversations while walking between the dishes (a very unusual effect which sounds like "disembodied" voices)
Whisper Dishes make an ideal exhibit:
- Practically no maintenance
- No electricity or other hook-up required
- Can be used alone or with another person, can be installed inside or outside
- Fun for all ages.
- They are useful in helping to explain other parabolic reflection such as that which occurs in radio and television transmissions.
Our Whisper Dishes are a quality exhibit, constructed of 3/16" fiberglass tooling resin with a gelcoat surface. The standard color is white with other colors available by special order.
Diameter of each dish is 74" with a depth of 13". The Dish can be recessed for flush mounting. A back mounting ring contains a 1/4" recessed steel plate, for secure installation. Optional focus rings are made of powder-coated, welded steel. Powder-coated steel stands come with complete Whisper Dish set for upright, stand-alone mounting.
Shipping
Gravity Well
Complete 42” Gravity Well w/Ped & Coin Slide + crating (approx. 48” x 48” x 20”) x 2 for well and Ped
Class 250 300lbs. (approx.)
Complete 62” Gravity Well w/Ped & Coin Slide + crating (approx. 68” x 68” x 20”) x 2 for well and Ped
Class 250 363lbs. (approx.)
Whisper Dish 150 lbs approx
Stand 85 lbs (approx)
Whisper Dish pair 150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (approx.)
Stand(s) for Whisper Dish Pair 85lbs x 2 = 170 lbs (approx.)
Whisper Dish Pair & Crating pkg dim. (79” x 79” x 19 ½” tall) Class 250 - 500 lbs. (approx.)
Whisper Dish Stands (Pair) & Crating pkg dim. (??) ?? lbs. (approx.)
Please Note
Shipping costs vary due to variance in crate sizes and fluctuation in current fuel prices, and therefore will not be quoted or guaranteed. Shipping charges will be payable upon delivery (COD) to carrier unless other arrangements have been made in advance. To save on shipping, Gravity Wells and Whisper Dishes are shipped by common carrier and crates may arrive on separate days.
Pricing
Prices listed below are guaranteed through December 2010 and do not include shipping costs.
Gravity Well Price List
Each Complete Gravity Well includes pedestal base, funnel, and deluxe bi-directional coin slide in standard black made of durable fiberglass. Factory Crating included.
Single Item Orders
Complete 62” Gravity Well with Coin Slide – $ 5,350.00
Complete 42” Gravity Well with Coin Slide – $ 4,800.00
Multiple Item Orders
Special 10% Discount for Orders of Two or More Gravity Well Units
Complete 62” Gravity Well – $ 4,815.00 per well
Complete 42” Gravity Well – $ 4,320.00 per well
Separate Gravity Well Components
Pedestal Base – $2,349.00
62” Funnel – $2,349.00
42” Funnel – $1,800.00
Deluxe Bi-Directional Coin Slide – $432.00
Special Gravity Well Services
Custom Color Charge – $250.00 per section
Expedited Fabrication Service – $250.00 (available only on Single Item Orders in standard black or white)
Factory Crating Charges on Separate Gravity Well Components (Exclusive of shipping. Rates apply to domestic orders in US & Canada only.)
62” Funnel – $350.00 ($395.00 for International Orders)
42” Funnel – $350.00 ($395.00 for International Orders)
Pedestal Base – $350.00
Whisper Dish Price List
Each Complete Whisper Dish Package includes a set of whisper dishes in standard white finish, a pair of steel focus rings, and a pair of welded steel stands to support each dish. Steel stands and focus rings are powder coated in a black matte finish. Factory crating included, except on international orders.
Single Item Orders
Complete Whisper Dish Package – $11,200.00
Separate Whisper Dish Components
Whisper Dish Pair – $5,800.00
Steel Focus Rings (pair) – $525.00
Steel Stands (pair) – $4,000.00
Factory Crating Charges on Separate Whisper Dish Components (Exclusive of shipping. Rates apply to domestic orders in US & Canada only.)
Whisper Dish Pair – $375.00 ($500.00 for International Orders)
Whisper Dish Stands - $375.00 ($500.00 for International Orders)
Whisper Dish Focus Rings (pair) - $250.00 ($375.00 for International Orders)
Expedited Fabrication Service – $250.00 (available only on Single Item Orders in standard black or white)
Please Note
To save on shipping, Gravity Wells and Whisper Dishes are shipped by common carrier and crates may arrive on separate days. Shipping costs vary due to variance in crate sizes and fluctuation in current fuel prices, and therefore will not be quoted or guaranteed.
*Shipping charges will be payable upon delivery (COD) to carrier unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
Two options are available for shipping on International Orders:
1.Shipping arranged by Whitaker Center from manufacturer to Port.
2. Shipping arrangements made by Customer’s Broker from manufacturer in US to Port and through Customs and Customer
Any and all shipping arranged by Whitaker Center to customer will be invoiced to customer and charges must be reimbursed to Whitaker Center upon receipt of that invoice.
Fabrication time varies depending upon workload, but averages 6 to 8 weeks.
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Exhibits Manager
(717) 724-3872
Fax : (717) 214-2791
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