In architecture, a transom is a transverse horizontal structural beam or bar, or a crosspiece separating a door from a window above it. This contrasts with a mullion, a vertical structural member.[1] Transom or transom window is also the customary U.S. word used for a transom light, the window over this crosspiece.[1][2] In Britain, the transom light is usually referred to as a fanlight, often with a semi-circular shape, especially when the window is segmented like the slats of a folding hand fan. A prominent example of this is at the main entrance of 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British prime minister.
In early Gothicecclesiastical work, transoms are found only in belfry unglazed windows or spire lights, where they were deemed necessary to strengthen the mullions in the absence of the iron stay bars, which in glazed windows served a similar purpose. In the later Gothic, and more especially the Perpendicular Period, the introduction of transoms became common in windows of all kinds.[3]
Functionedit
Transom windows which could be opened to provide cross-ventilation while maintaining security and privacy (due to their small size and height above floor level) were a common feature of apartments, homes, office buildings, schools, and other buildings before central air conditioning and heating became common beginning in the early-to-mid 20th century.[4][5]
In order to operate opening transom windows, they were generally fitted with transom operators, a sort of wand assembly.[6] In industrial buildings, transom operators could use a variety of mechanical arrangements.[7]
Idiomatic usageedit
The phrase "over the transom" refers to works submitted for publication without being solicited. The image evoked is of a writer tossing a manuscript through the open window over the door of the publisher's office.[8]
Similarly, the phrase is used to describe the means by which confidential documents, information or tips were delivered anonymously to someone who is not officially supposed to have them.[9]
Some such phrases may refer instead to the transom of a ship - large waves from behind can bring water over the transom.
A ranma found in Kōchi Castle designed to look like a wave.
"Like pushing a piano through a transom" is a folk idiom used to describe something exceedingly difficult; its application to childbirth (and possibly its origin) has been attributed to Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Fannie Brice.
Franceedit
In French, transom windows are called vasistas (previously spelled wass-ist-dass), from the German was ist das?; lit. "what is that?".[10][11]
Japanedit
Architectural details called ranma (欄間) are often found above doors in traditional Japanese buildings.
These details can be anything from simple shōji-style dividers to elaborate wooden carvings, and they serve as a traditional welcome to visitors of the head of the household.
See alsoedit
Look up transom window in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Transoms (architectural elements).
^ ab"The Efficient Windows Collaborative: Glossary". from the original on 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
^"What is a transom window?". Big Blue Window. from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
^. Project Gutenberg. Archived from the original on 2011-06-25. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
^Fred. T. Hodgson, "Ventilation of Middle-Class Dwellings", Popular Science News August 1902, p. 185
^"Going 'over the transom': Interior Windows and the Hardware that Moves them", Old-House Journal January–February 1996, p. 52
^Brian D. Coleman, "Window Hardware 101" Old House Interiors July–August 2010, p. 29
^Lord & Burnham Company, Manufacturers of Sash Operating Apparatus for Hinged and Pivoted Sash, in Chemical Engineering Catalog, 1919, p. 706
^"What Does Over The Transom Mean?". About Freelance Writing. from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
^Hartocollis, Anemona. Former G.O.P. Official Admits He Evaded Taxes 2017-11-05 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, 16 November 2007. DA Morganthau Cites "Over the Transom" Letter as root of fraud investigation
^“vasistas” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).
transom, architecture, other, uses, transom, disambiguation, architecture, transom, transverse, horizontal, structural, beam, crosspiece, separating, door, from, window, above, this, contrasts, with, mullion, vertical, structural, member, transom, transom, win. For other uses see Transom disambiguation In architecture a transom is a transverse horizontal structural beam or bar or a crosspiece separating a door from a window above it This contrasts with a mullion a vertical structural member 1 Transom or transom window is also the customary U S word used for a transom light the window over this crosspiece 1 2 In Britain the transom light is usually referred to as a fanlight often with a semi circular shape especially when the window is segmented like the slats of a folding hand fan A prominent example of this is at the main entrance of 10 Downing Street the official residence of the British prime minister Door of 10 Downing Street London Contents 1 History 2 Function 3 Idiomatic usage 4 France 5 Japan 6 See also 7 ReferencesHistory editIn early Gothic ecclesiastical work transoms are found only in belfry unglazed windows or spire lights where they were deemed necessary to strengthen the mullions in the absence of the iron stay bars which in glazed windows served a similar purpose In the later Gothic and more especially the Perpendicular Period the introduction of transoms became common in windows of all kinds 3 Function editTransom windows which could be opened to provide cross ventilation while maintaining security and privacy due to their small size and height above floor level were a common feature of apartments homes office buildings schools and other buildings before central air conditioning and heating became common beginning in the early to mid 20th century 4 5 In order to operate opening transom windows they were generally fitted with transom operators a sort of wand assembly 6 In industrial buildings transom operators could use a variety of mechanical arrangements 7 Idiomatic usage editThe phrase over the transom refers to works submitted for publication without being solicited The image evoked is of a writer tossing a manuscript through the open window over the door of the publisher s office 8 Similarly the phrase is used to describe the means by which confidential documents information or tips were delivered anonymously to someone who is not officially supposed to have them 9 Some such phrases may refer instead to the transom of a ship large waves from behind can bring water over the transom nbsp A ranma found in Kōchi Castle designed to look like a wave Like pushing a piano through a transom is a folk idiom used to describe something exceedingly difficult its application to childbirth and possibly its origin has been attributed to Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Fannie Brice France editIn French transom windows are called vasistas previously spelled wass ist dass from the German was ist das lit what is that 10 11 Japan editArchitectural details called ranma 欄間 are often found above doors in traditional Japanese buildings These details can be anything from simple shōji style dividers to elaborate wooden carvings and they serve as a traditional welcome to visitors of the head of the household See also edit nbsp Look up transom window in Wiktionary the free dictionary nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Transoms architectural elements Roof lantern Sidelight Skylight FortochkaReferences edit a b The Efficient Windows Collaborative Glossary Archived from the original on 2007 11 28 Retrieved 2007 12 13 What is a transom window Big Blue Window Archived from the original on 2007 12 28 Retrieved 2007 12 13 The Principles of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture Elucidated by Question and Answer 4th ed Project Gutenberg Archived from the original on 2011 06 25 Retrieved 2007 12 13 Fred T Hodgson Ventilation of Middle Class Dwellings Popular Science News August 1902 p 185 Going over the transom Interior Windows and the Hardware that Moves them Old House Journal January February 1996 p 52 Brian D Coleman Window Hardware 101 Old House Interiors July August 2010 p 29 Lord amp Burnham Company Manufacturers of Sash Operating Apparatus for Hinged and Pivoted Sash in Chemical Engineering Catalog 1919 p 706 What Does Over The Transom Mean About Freelance Writing Archived from the original on 2007 12 13 Retrieved 2007 12 13 Hartocollis Anemona Former G O P Official Admits He Evaded Taxes Archived 2017 11 05 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times 16 November 2007 DA Morganthau Cites Over the Transom Letter as root of fraud investigation vasistas in Tresor de la langue francaise informatise The Digitized Treasury of the French Language Grammarphobia blog vasistas Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Transom architecture amp oldid 1202720989, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
