Five hundred years ago, Florence, Italy spawned a remarkable number of Renaissance masterpieces, including:
- Michelangelo’s David (1504), an outsized Carrara marble statue of adolescent David anticipating his encounter with Goliath. Presently at Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence.
- Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (1486), tempera on canvas, showing the Goddess Venus emerging from the sea foam as a fully grown woman. Presently at the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.
- Leonardo’s Mona Lisa (1506, perhaps 1519),”La Giaconda", the laughing one, oil on Poplar, known for its enigmatic smile and its matchless brushwork (or the absence thereof). Presently at the Louvre, Paris.
What are the common denominators of these masterpieces? They are popularly recognized and acclaimed, admired by experts and novices alike. They enjoy enduring appeal, lasting centuries. They exhibit an extreme level of quality and detail. They grow on you; the longer you look, the more you see. Finally, they are frequently emulated (or blatantly copied).
Sounds a lot like the Fluke 87 Industrial DMM. Universally recognized and admired, the 87 is the world’s most popular industrial DMM. Treasured by experts and coveted by novices, the 87 has the feature set and the durability to make it an annual sales leader since its introduction in 1987.
Unlike the Masters, Fluke gets to update the classic 87 from time to time. The latest Fluke 87 V Industrial DMM remains a TRMS meter, but now includes a selectable low-pass filter for accurate ASD output readings that agree with the motor controller. Dual-rated at CAT IV 600V and CAT III 1000V for use on high energy circuits, the 87 can tolerate input transients over 8,000 volts. A type-K thermocouple thermometer is now built-in. A new large-digit display features a bright, two-level backlight.
Many copies of an 87 have been attempted. Insist on the original Fluke 87. You won’t find it in a museum, but your favorite Fluke distributor would be glad to show you one.
| Botticelli’s Birth of Venus  | da Vinci’s Mona Lisa  |
