The barometer has the ability to recreate the effect of the Philadelphia Experiment; that is to freeze time over a limited area for 47 seconds. The activator and whoever else is touching the barometer is able to move through the freeze. The Philadelphia experiment was an attempt to make US Naval ships invisible to the enemy by using high power magnets. It kind of worked - the ship did disappear from radar for 47 seconds. At first, Artie thought this artifact was a Napoleon Bonaparte artifact because his kiss with Josephine lasted exactly 47 seconds.