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Tuning Fork

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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A small bar of cast steel with tolerably defined edges, bent into a fork with two prongs, with a handle of the same metal extending from the bend of the fork and serving as a sound-post to transmit the vibrations to any resonance board or body convenient for reinforcing the sound. The fork is set in vibration by striking one of the prongs against a hard substance, or pressing the prongs together if they are light ones, or if heavy drawing a bow across. The tuning fork was invented by John Shore, royal trumpeter in 1711, sergeant trumpeter at the entry of George I. in 1714, and lutanist to the Chapel Royal in 1715. It is used for determining musical pitch (see Pitch), and also in certain physical experiments (see Sound).