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Vision Australia
Photograph (item) - Image, Royal National Institute for the Blind, Liquid measure
Glass bottle with attached phallic shaped measuring device. Attached label to the bottle states that this was used by a physiotherapist and provides a reference for the bottle: RNIB 9448. The Royal National Institute for the Blind did sell materials around the world, and this item could have been ordered from them. royal victorian institute for the blind, equipment -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Domestic object - Kitchen equipment, spirit-fuelled sad iron, c1920
Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer. Late in the 19thC designers experimented with heat retaining fillings for these irons. William Coleman began selling Kerosene lanterns in 1900 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, USA. He moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1902 and the company became world wide. The company also produced a range of cooking stoves and domestic irons. This spirit- fuelled flat iron was very popular in 1920s - 30s These sad irons remind us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the pioneers and early settlers of Moorabbin Shire The family of Miss M Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA) spirit- fuelled, sad iron with chrome plated sole c1920, and metal trivet The iron is blue enamel with a white speckled body, with a hemispherical tank for the Coleman 'Lighting Petrol' that provided the heat for smoothing the material B) Coleman Fuel measuring can and funnellMetal Trivet/stand " COLEMAN" ; Petrol can " COLEMAN" / MEASURING CAN / for INSTANT LIGHTING IRON/ with printed instructionssad iron, kitchen equipment, coleman william, kansas, oklahoma, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, fireplaces, stoves, petrol fuelled irons, spirit flat irons, coleman lamp stove co. ltd. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Jug, Between 1910 -1936
The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995.An example of a brass measuring jug made specifically to maintain government standard liquid measurements that were sold to the public. The probability is that this artefact was made sometime between George V reign (1910-1936) and gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were checked by Government departments prior to decimalisation and how a standard for the various types of measurement was developed in Australian based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item used in Victoria as a legal standard measure to ensure that goods sold in Victoria were correct. Jug brass haystack form with a deep lip and pouring spout, small neck and broad base. It displays a curved pistol handle. Inscription at base of handle top of jug stamped 61 GVR SM. These marks signify that the measure complied with the Victorian Government capacity liquid standard measurement. Item made during the reign of George V (1910-1936 (GVR).Other marks indicate model number (61) & SM possible could be either small measure, the maker, or Standards Melbourne.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Scales, Imperial weights & large bowl, c1900
... measures ...A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . c1900 A set of steel weighing scales with a balance beam that holds 1 large metal dish for the item to be weighed and a smaller tray holding the weights. The object/ substance to be weighed is placed in 1 dish and the weights are added to the other dish until the two dishes balance equally on the beam. The base , balance beam and tray are decorated with a floral pattern Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.Each weight is engraved with Imperial Measure = 2lb, 1lb, 6ozmarket gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour, . -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Instruments, Measuring tool, CLate 19th century
This instrument is a folding arm protractor. It is used for measuring angles on the vertical and horizontal planes. The two folding arms have small metal support springs where they are attached to provide support and the other ends have pins with which to mark particular points. A screw mechanism on the rim allows fine tuning of plotting. Chadburn, Brothers were fine instrument makers of Sheffield making optical and nautical instruments during the 19th century. This item was donated by a local resident whose grandfather Carl Spence was a bridge builder who worked on the Warrnambool Breakwater extension c 1919. This item has scientific significance which is possibly linked via the owner to one of Warrnambool's most well known landmarks.Brass, circular instrument with fold out sections which are hinged and a movable section. The circular part is marked in degrees around the circle. Notches on inner rim at 90 degrees intervals. Chadburn ,Brothers Sheffield. Graduated scale measuring 360 degrees.warrnambool, warrnambool breakwater -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Standard measure, Mid to Late 19th Century
The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St London as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artefacts that gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were used and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct.Maker Possibly Robert Brettell Blake or De Grave, Short & Co Ltd both of LondonContainer brass round for measuring quantities- Has brass handles & is a 'Bushel' measurement. 'Imperial Standard Bushel Victoria' engraved around container. Container bronze round shape for measuring dry quantities has brass handles & is a 'Bushel' measurement"IMPERIAL STANDARD BUSHEL" engraved around the top of the container. VICTORIA engraved under "J & M Ewan & Co London and Melbourne" engraved around the bottom of the container.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bushel, bushel measurement, j & m ewan, dry measurement, victorian measurement standard, bronze container, melbourne observatory, robert brettell bate -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Glass, Measuring Cups, Early to mid 20th century
These measuring glasses would have been used by chemists and doctors for measuring ingredients for medicines and medical preparations. They could also have been used in households. One of the measurements is the drachm which was a unit of weight and a unit of volume (fluid dram) which was an apothecary measurement equivalent to 60 grains or one-eighth of an ounce. Glass measuring containers such as these could still be in use today but plastic containers are also used. These two glasses are of interest as examples of medicine measuring containers used in the 19th and 20th centuries. They will be useful for display. These are two identical clear glass containers used for measuring medicines. The measurements for tablespoons, teaspoons, ounces and drachms are marked on the side of the glass. One glass has a small chip on the upper rim. ‘Table, Tea, Ounces, Drachms’ 19th and 20th century medicine, history of warrnambool, measuring glass, medicine glass -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book, Turner Australia Hand Tools, 1963
Printed Catalogue of hand tools.Catalogue of hand tools - screwdrivers, planes, hammers, knives, spirit levels, hacksaws, measuring tapes, gardening tools, lawn mowers, with price list.Printed Catalogue of hand tools.turner industries, lawnmowers, tools -
Orbost & District Historical Society
clinometer rule, mid 19th -earl 20th century
This clinometer, is a hand-held optical scientific instrument used in surveying to measure vertical angles. It is used to measure the angle of elevation from the ground in a right-angled triangle. It may have been used by a surveyor or a forester to measure the height of tall things where you couldn't possibly reach to the top of e.g. flag poles, buildings or trees.This item is an example of an early hand held measuring instrument.. Today the use of electronic sensors is an important component in the design and function of the clinometers.A rectangular wooden folding measuring instrument. the panels are brass framed. Inside is a brass semi-protractorgraduated 90-0-90' with index arm pointeran dwith a graduated edge in inches. Outside is a temperature conversion scale,Troughton & Simms, LONDONscientific-instrument measurement clinometer -
Yarrawonga and Mulwala Pioneer Museum
Functional object - Horse measuring stick
Measuring stick belonging to the late Kath Connell. Life member and past Ring Master of the Yarrawonga Show, also founder member of the Yarrawonga Mulwala pony Club. Donated to the A and P Association by M and B Gorman and family after Kath's death and loaned to the Historical Society for display. Long bamboo stick with hook end. Fitted with a sliding metal measure with inch and cm markingsnoneagricultural shows, pony club, horse measure -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Standard measure, Mid to late 19th Century
The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St London as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon, the company ceased trading in 1993. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artefacts that gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were used and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct.Maker Possibly Robert Brettell Blake or De Grave, Short & Co Ltd both of LondonContainer bronze round shape for measuring dry quantities has brass handles & is a 'half-bushel' measurement"IMPERIAL STANDARD HALF BUSHEL" engraved around the top of the container. VICTORIA engraved under "J & M Ewan & Co London and Melbourne" engraved around the bottom of the container.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bronze, peck measurement, j & m ewan, victorian standard dry measurement, bronze container, victorian standards, melbourne observatory, robert brettell bate -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Tape Measure, mid 1900s
This item predates the change of Imperial measure (England -1824) to decimal measure (Europe) in Australia (1970 to 1988). This item was manufactured in England as, was the majority of measuring tool and equipment. It was not until the late 1950s that other countries e.g. United States and Europe provided the same type of manufactured tools for the Australian market. World War II, when Australia had to defend its own boarders that the political push for self sufficiency of manufactured goods started local production. Workers in the Kiewa Valley had always relied on the high quality of tools and manufactured goods coming from England. From the middle to late 1950s migration by skilled workers from a war torn Europe provided the source of manpower for the expansion of the manufacturing industries in Australia.The requirement of an accurate measuring tool has always been critical. This item was used at the time when Australia was using the British Imperial measurements. Accurate measurements by carpenters and other trades people for both town and rural needs was just as critical as for the larger cities. The transition period from Imperial to metric was a period of over four years but it still presented those who had used the Imperial measurements for a longer period in their trades with a dual system of measurement for a longer time(usually up to their retirement) Other nations still using Imperial measurements kept the transition from Imperial to metric alive (the UK and USA still uses Imperial measurements in 2012)Retractable metallic wired tape measure within a leather casing. Length of tape is 66 feet. Brass fittings on casing(winder and back plate)Tape on one side marked in inches and feet and on the other in links. Winder lever marked "66ft No 401" on front and arrow with"wind this way". Leather cover marked "John R A Bone & Sons Birmingham England" on reverse side "Metallic wired tape R A Bone & Sons"wired tape measure, tool, mobile tool, construction tool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Calipers, Moore & Wright, 1925-1935
Established in 1906, Frank Moore soon became well known amongst discerning tradespeople for the quality & accuracy of his tools. The Company was acquired by John Shaw & Son in 1945 & James Neill & Co in 1970. Currently part of the Bower Meteorology UK Group, they still produce superb tools & measuring instruments in Sheffield. The subject item is made from high-grade carbon silver tool steel with the patented 'Firm Lock' joint, that identifies the maker as Moore & Wright.A tool used for external measurement of items made by a maker who patented the "firm lock" jointing system now used on many different types of tools in many different industries. These items are now collectible and quite rare as a result are sought by tool collectors in the USA and UK.‘Firm Joint’ external measuring calipers believed made by Moore & Wright. Impressed into the metal "L A J S" (Probably the owner and company that used the item nothing to do with manufacturing) flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, calipers, callipers, external calipers, outer caliper, pottery tools, masonry tools, glass making tools, external measurement -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Standard measure, Mid to late 19th Century
The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St London as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artifacts that gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were used and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct. Bronze round container with brass two handles used as a legal standard for measuring dry quantities & is a 'peck' measurement. "IMPERIAL STANDARD PECK" engraved around top of container with " VICTORIA" engraved under.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bronze, peck measurement, j & m ewan, victorian standard dry measurement, bronze container, victorian standards, melbourne observatory, robert bettell bate -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tape Measure, Early 20th century
This tape measure was probably produced for, and used by, tradesmen such as carpenters and builders. In 1821 James Chesterman patented a tape measure that used a spring for rewinding the tape and the makers of large tape measures have used this method for nearly 200 years now. This item has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting example of a common household and industrial item from the past but one which in an updated version is still in use today.This is a metal tape measure (in inches) enclosed in a circular-shaped leather covering. In the centre of the leather cover is a metal mechanism for rewinding the tape. The tape has a metal ring at its end. The leather is very rubbed and the tape is rusty. There is printing embossed on both sides of the leather cover. ‘Chesterman Ltd Sheffield England’ ‘66 ft’household items warrnambool -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Scales, Shop,Imperial, ‘Dayton Scale’, c1900
... measures ...This 'Dayton Scale' was used in a grocery shop in Moorabbin Shire in 20thC to measure grain, sugar, fruit, vegetables, lollies, etc as required by the shopkeeper for the purchase by customers. The Dayton Scale Company, originally known as the Computing Scale Company, built and marketed the first computing scale in 1891. It was part of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company formed in 1911, and became an IBM division in 1933. The Dayton Scale Division was eventually sold to the Hobart Manufacturing Company when IBM decided to stop marketing scales to retail stores. The Computing Scale Company of Dayton was operated from 1891-1914 by two businessmen from Dayton, Ohio who purchased patents on the recently invented computing scale. It was merged with other companies to become the forerunner company for IBM. On July 20 1897 Mr CC Hobart & Herbert L. Johnson formed the Hobart Electrical Manufacturing Company in Troy, Ohio USA. 1915 Hobart continues its growth into the World market, opening a sales office in Australia. Dayton grocery scales, capacity 2 pounds, Imperial Measure. It is made from white painted steel with a large metal scoop that sits on 2 steel rods attached to a balance beam connected to a recording mechanism that displays the ‘weight’ in a glass framed gauge. In window of glass framed gauge ; DAYTON SCALE CO. / OHIO USA ; Computed from 0 – 2LB in 1oz sections weights, measures, shops, scales. balances, grocery stores, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dayton scales company, ibm pty ltd., hobarrt electrical manufacturing company, hobart c.c., johnson herbert l, computing scale company ohio -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Tool - Inclinometer, M.V. Australian Explorer
An inclinometer measures the angle of inclination of a vessel or aircraft to the horizontalTimber and brass inclinometer from the M.V. Australian Explorer. Triangular timber shape with curved base. Brass measuring plate with measurements from 0-40 degrees on each side. Brass pointer indicates angle of inclination of vessel. 'EIWA' label on front. '87-156' inscribed in pen on back and underside. navigational instruments, australian explorer -
Learmonth and District Historical Society Inc.
Scales, "Circa 1863"
... measures ...This set of scales would have been used to check the acuracy of Weights and Measures.Where it was used is unknown, but it may have always been part of the Shire.The maker was J.D.Potter,Poultry,London Middlesex,U.K. One of several sets of scales of various sizes in collection of Learmonth And District Historical Society Inc.To measure precise weights,the instruments used were a set of precise balanced scales. Set on a wooden box,( which would have contained the weights).It is made of brass and has a brass beam balance,steel pointer with index and twin pans. Date 25/1/1865.Various hallmarks similar to "jewellers".tools, and, scales, weights, measures, potter london, measuring devices -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Budget blowout, 1991
Nunawading Council is facing a potential $3.3 million budget blowout and could go into the 1991-92 budget with a $1m deficit.Nunawading Council is facing a potential $3.3 million budget blowout and could go into the 1991-92 budget with a $1m deficit. Mayor Bruce Atkinson said the present $2m deficit was covered by the measures taken in the mini budget.Nunawading Council is facing a potential $3.3 million budget blowout and could go into the 1991-92 budget with a $1m deficit. city of nunawading, atkinson, bruce, local government finance -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Cup, Chemist Measure cup
This measuring container would have been used by chemists, doctors and nurses to accurately measure a tablespoonful of medicine or other liquid or substance equivalent to half an ounce in weight. It could also have been used in households for the same purpose. It would have been in use in the 19th century and perhaps the first six decades of the 20th century. Today glass or plastic containers would be used. This container, although damaged, is of interest as an example of the type of measuring container used by chemists and doctors in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It has no known local provenance but will be useful for display. This is a cream-coloured ceramic medicine measuring container. It will hold half an ounce or a tablespoonful. It is circular in shape, tapering down from the top to the bottom. It has a rim at the top which is cracked and partly broken away. ‘½ oz. To Lower Rim (a tablespoonful)’ chemists in warrnambool, history of warrnambool, medical aids, ceramic medicine glass -
Greensborough Historical Society
Domestic object - Scales, L.F. & C, Pocket Balance Scales, 1900 c
Small, very old pocket balance scales 0 L.F. & C. Made in New York. Possible belonged to and used by the Bishop family 1900's/30's. The front plate is brass. The wording on the scales is "Not Legal For Use In Trade". The scales measure up to 25lb.Small very old pocket balance scales, front plate is brass. The wording on the scales is Not Legal For Use In Trade,. Scales measure up to 25lb.scales, kitchenware -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Realia, 1900's
One Chain Measure. Used for Survey or Farm Measurestawell -
Parks Victoria - Maldon State Battery
Scales, platform
Similar to railway platform scales and may have been relocated from the nearby Maldon Railway station. The history of its use at the battery is unknown.Large cast iron platform scale, white painted base with 2 wheels. The cast iron plate sits on top of a base with an inscription. There is white and green floral decoration on the frame, which is attached to the base. The white decorative stand with tray and weight measure attached has an inscription.base- "W. & T. Avery Ltd/makers/London &/Birmingham". Platform- "W. & T. Avery Ltd. Weight measure- LB 14 12 10 8 6 4 2" -
Federation University Historical Collection
Scientific Instrument, Orsat Apparatus
The Orsat was returned to the Historical Collection by Len Taylor, former staff member of SMB. For a period of time it was with Gary Price who rebuilt the Orsat to working order. Gary used a similar apparatus at Sidchrome and Ballarat Heat Treatment Pty. The Orsat apparatus is used to measure volumes of Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, and Carbon Monoxide within a fixed volume of a sample of gas.Timber box with lift up front revealing a number of valves, pressure measure and glass container of red liquid attached to hose. Gas analysis apparatusorsat, len taylor, gary price, carbon dioxide, oxygen, carbon monoxide, gas, measure, apparatus -
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
W&M Fl. Oz. Measuing Kit
8692.1 - Large grey painted metal box with hinged lid, metal latch and a black handle on top. 8692.2 - Glass measuring jug. 8692.3 - Glass measuring jug. 8692.4 - Glass measuring jug. 8692.5 - Glass measuring jug. 8692.6 - Glass measuring jug. 8692.7 - Glass measuring jug.8692.1 - W&M 8692.2 - VIC - 1 Pint - 20 Fl. Oz. 8692.3 - VIC - 4 Fl. Oz. - 32 Fl. Dr. 8692.4 - VIC - C 68° F - 16 FLDR - 2 FLOZ. 8692.5 - VIC - 8 FLDR - 11 FLOZ. 8692.6 - VIC - 4 FLDR - 240 MIN. 8692.7 - VIC - 2 FLDR - 120 MIN. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Scientific Instrument, Spherometer
A spherometer is an instrument for the precise measurement of the radius of curvature of a sphere or a curved surface. Originally, these instruments were primarily used by opticians to measure the curvature of the surface of a lens. A fixed-frame tripod with adjustable central contact screw, equipped with micrometer scale. Brass construction with steel contact points. Designed for measuring curvature of lenses. Stored in a polished timber box. Made specially for Silberberg and Co. Ltd. Melbournescientific instrument, spherometer, h.b. silberberg & co ltd -
Coal Creek Community Park & Museum
Gunter chain (broken)
8653.1- Rusty measuring chain. 8653.2 - Rusty measuring chain. -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Instrument (Item) - Curvimeter (Opisometer) , Map Measuring Instrument For Measuring Curved Lines On A Map
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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Barrel Calipers, Early 20th Century
The firm Dring and Fage were active from 1790 to 1940 in London and were manufacturers of hydrometers and mathematical instruments they became established in London in 1790 by John Dring, who was a brass worker and hydrometer maker, and William Fage. Dring and Fage manufactured also saccharometers and other instruments used to measure the strength of alcohol. These instruments were primarily used to calculate excises. They traded at various addresses in London and they were at 56 Stamford St. between 1903 and 1938. By 1850 the company was owned by Edward Hall and Edward Jenkin and in 1940 the company became Dring & Fage Ltd, trading till the 1960s.Historically, gauging has meant measuring a volume, these gauging instruments were used by Customs and Excise and manufacturers for determining the volume and contents of liquid containers. For Customs the determination and collection of duty on imported goods which has had a very long history. Chaucer was a Customs Officer as was his father and grandfather, excise was first officially introduced in 1643, with the aim of maintaining military forces raised by the English Parliament at that time. Excise was initially a duty on home produced alcoholic beverages and soap but being easily applied, spread rapidly to a wide range of goods including imports of varying kinds. The government departments of Customs and Excise merged only in 1909 and it is from around this time that our instrument was made and used. The item demonstrates a long social history of the practice of Government's collecting duty on alcoholic beverages and thereby makes this item historically significant as it was used locally at Port Fairy by the ports Customs agents. Boxwood barrel calipers, wooden slide-rule with right angles at each end and brass fittings used for measuring casks length."Dring & Fage Makers to the Customs" stamped on side.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, customs, long calipers, excise duty, barrel calipers -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Scales, Imperial weights & brass bowls, c1900
... measures ...A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.. A set of steel weighing scales with a balance beam that holds 2 brass dishes in which are 7 brass weights. The object/ substance to be weighed is placed in 1 dish and the weights are added to the other dish until the two dishes balance equally on the beam. The base is engraved with '4 lbs' thus indicating that this set will balance up to that weight.scales 4 lbs ( 4 Pounds ) each weight is marked with its weight in Imperial Measure 1 0z = 1 ounce to 4lbmarket gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour