William Smellie’s straight forceps are one of the most significant pairs of forceps in the Museum collection. William Smellie (1697– 1763), designed these forceps, which were an improvement on the forceps of that time. These forceps were easier to use being shorter and lighter, particularly in the handles, with pelvic curve shaped blades. He invented a locking device for the two blades. The blades were lined with leather and greased with hog’s lard for the ease of delivery and the greater comfort of the patient, this being in the era prior to an understanding of sepsis and the need for surgical hygiene.Smellie was groundbreaking in his understanding of Childbirth and became an influential teacher of Obstetrics. He diligently studied the birthing process, particularly the descent of the baby’s head down the birth canal. His observations lead to him noting that many deaths occurred because of a lack of understanding of this process and the inappropriate handling of forceps. Smellie is generally given the credit for improving the forceps to make them easier to use and less likely to damage the baby. Smellie’s "Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery" was published In 1751 and became a widely influential teaching resource. Copies of this birth atlas are held in the Frank Forster Library, RANZCOG. Smellie's obstetric forceps. Iron forceps with traces of leather on the two blades. The blades touch at the tips when the blades are fully closed. The handles have a metal sheet coating and would also have been covered in leather originally. There is a notch at the centre to lock the blades in place. Noneobstetric delivery, william smellie

This hand held, wooden bottle corker would have been used by soft drink or wine producers to insert corks into their bottles to seal the drink inside. It seems it may have had a metal tip on the end of the plunger, as do other similar bottle corkers, because this plunger has a compressed end and a ring shape impressed into the wood a little way up from the tip. How to use the bottle corker … - soak a long, bullet shaped cork in water to soften it - place the bottle corker over the bottle’s neck - insert the cork through the side opening and place onto the metal funnel - push the plunger down onto the cork, forcing it into the tapered, which will squeeze the cork to size as it enters the bottle. Use a mallet or hammer if necessary The design of this bottle corker is very similar to “"Redlich's Apparatus for Corking Bottles", which was invented and patented by Henry Redlich of Chicago, USA, in 1862, US patent #35,325. H. Redlich’s gave the following instructions for the use of the bottle corker: “DIRECTIONS: SOAK THE CORK, DROP INTO THE OPENING AND TAP THE PLUNGER WITH A MALLET OR HAMMER.” This hand held, wooden bottle corker would have been used by soft drink or wine producers to insert corks into their bottles to seal the drink inside. It seems it may have had a metal tip on the end of the plunger, as do other similar bottle corkers, because this plunger has a compressed end and a ring shape impressed into the wood a little way up from the tip. How to use the bottle corker … - soak a long, bullet shaped cork in water to soften it - place the bottle corker over the bottle’s neck - insert the cork through the side opening and place onto the metal funnel - push the plunger down onto the cork, forcing it into the tapered, which will squeeze the cork to size as it enters the bottle. Use a mallet or hammer if necessary The design of this bottle corker is very similar to “"Redlich's Apparatus for Corking Bottles", which was invented and patented by Henry Redlich of Chicago, USA, in 1862, US patent #35,325. H. Redlich’s gave the following instructions for the use of the bottle corker: “DIRECTIONS: SOAK THE CORK, DROP INTO THE OPENING AND TAP THE PLUNGER WITH A MALLET OR HAMMER.” Bottle corker, a hand operated wooden corking device for sealing bottles. Bottle corker has two parts comprising a wooden plunger rod with knob handle, and wooden cylinder containing a metal tube that is flared to a funnel shape on the top. The cylinder has a hole the diameter of the rod at both ends and an oval insertion slot in one side. The tip of the plunger rod is slightly compressed and it has an indented line around the circumference as though it has had something attached to it. Manufactured in the late 1899s to early 1900s in Melbourne.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, cork

This collar holder would have been used in the early to mid 20th century in the days when men's shirts often had detachable collars so that the collars could be changed each day and the shirt part would not have to be washed so frequently. The metal crest on the holder with a crown on top suggests that the wearer of the detachable collars could have held a Government office or been a member of one of the Defence Forces. This collar holder has no known local provenance but is kept as a memento of the days (80 to 100 years ago and more) when men wore shirts with detachable collars. This is a rectangular-shaped leather object which has been folded over once to form a wallet with an extra piece at the end to close over the wallet. The top piece closing device has two metal press studs. The insides of the wallet are lined with buff-coloured material hemmed with cotton stitching with two extra pieces folding over to hold the collars. The wallet contains one white collar with one collar stud. On the front of the wallet is gold-coloured printing and attached is a metal badge or crest. 'Soft Collars'men's vintage clothing, warrnambool, collar

This is a WW1 stand for mounting a .303 rifle, to train soldiers in shooting.This device consists of two parts; 1. Top part has an adjustable 'arm' . At the end of each arm is a leather covered 'U' section. Under the arm is a large threaded rod and knurled knob, this is to adjust elevation. At the center of the arm is a pivot that can lock into position. This top section is mounted on a tripod, it can be removed. 2. This is a steel tripod made out of 'T' section steel. There are fixed cross braces about 40 cm fom bottom. The top has a tube section within which the upper arm mounts.Marked on one leg is "XXI". Believed to be from 21st Bn. AIF. on the top of that leg is a very small arrow head.ww1, training, .303 rifles

These ties were made as merchandise for the University of Ballarat in the early 2000s..1) & .3) A cream box with University of Ballarat and the Emblem printed in red. Inside is a polyester black tie woven with a small diagonal band of three stripes (top is blue, middle is gold and bottom is red) and a small emblem of the University of Ballarat on the right side. It has a navy blue lining. .2) A cream box with University of Ballarat and the Emblem printed in red. Inside is a multi-striped silk and polyester red, blue, gold and black tie with heraldic device of the University of Ballarat on the right bottom corner. It has a black lining..2) woven - University of Ballaratuniversity of ballarat, ties, merchandise, costume, uniform, textiles

Yields information about the reconstruction of the curve on the Mt Pleasant line at Stones Corner.Negative and Digital images of the Wal Jack Ballarat Negative file of the relay of the outer rail at Stones Corner on the Mt Pleasant line. Shows removed rails and methodology of the work. Photo taken at 1220 as shown on the clock - all workers at lunch. In the view are the Listers COR service station, the Inspector chatting with a person, the Ballarat East Post Office and the Stones retail store. The first welding truck (cloth covered roof) with a wandering lead device. See Reg Item 7740 for a photo of similar work at Main and Barkly St.trams, tramways, stones corner, trackwork, track repairs, main road, victoria st, mt pleasant, inspectors, welding

A wooden, oval racquet with a solid convex throat, cloth tape supports, and fish-tail handle. Inscription across crown on obverse: THE DEMON. Model trademark is stamped on throat on obverse, featuring a horned demon's head device, with the text: THE/DEMON. Manufacturer's mark stamped across throat on reverse, comprises of a hexagram with the text: BEST IS BEST/S&S/L/THRO' THE WORLD. Inscription along left side of handle: MADE IN ENGLAND. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Cloth tapetennis

A wooden racquet with laminated concave throat, cloth tape shoulder reinforcements, and medium grooved handle. Inscription across and along throat on obverse: DRIVA/(EXELA)/WILLIAMS & CO. PARIS. Inscription across butt cover, in French: WILLIAMS & CO/1. RUE CAUMARTIN/PARIS/A GARDER SOUS PRESSE. Adhered onto the throat on reverse is a small metallic - possibly silver - diamond device, containing within the initials L.C. Materials: Wood, Gut, Cloth tape, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Leather, Metal, Stringtennis

A Chemold Rod Laver Professional Model tennis racquet, with ribbon whipping around shoulders and shaft, and leather grip with floral perforations. Model name features across base of head and throat, accompanied by an 8-pointed star device. Chemold logo features along shaft. Gold, black and white Chemold trademark features on lower shaft. Plain white plastic butt cap. Materials: Wood, Nylon, String, Ribbon, Paint, Ink, Plastic, Leather, Rubber, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Adhesive tapetennis

A Davis Jet tennis racquet, with whipping around the shoulders and shaft, orange painted shoulders and throat, and rare, ribbed leather handle grip. Model name features along throat. Davis coat-of-arms trademark features on lower shaft on obverse. TAD trademark, within diamond device, features on lower shaft on reverse. Victor, big 'V' and tennis player trademark features on butt cover. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, String, Leather, Adhesive tape, Painttennis

A Dunlop, John McEnroe Pro tennis racquet, with ribbon whipping around shoulders. Dunlop logo features across base of head. Model name features across throat and along shaft. 'D' trademark in arrowhead device also features on lower shaft and plastic butt cap. Dunlop logo and trademark feature on left and right sides of shaft. Retailer sticker features on left side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Plastic, Ink, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Fibreglass, Ribbon, Adhesive tapetennis

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Tony Trabert Victory tennis racquet. Base of head on obverse features Wilson logo. Throat features model name beneath a crowned shield device, with a 'V' in the centre. Shaft features a decal head and shoulders photo image of a young Trabert. Leather handle grip features quatrefoil perforations. Inscription along right side of shaft: ENDORSED BY/THE NATIONAL CHAMPION. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ribbon, Glue, Metal, Lacquer, Paint, Adhesive tape, Plastictennis

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Tony Trabert Victory tennis racquet. Base of head on obverse features Wilson logo. Throat features model name beneath a crowned shield device, with a 'V' in the centre. Shaft features a decal head and shoulders photo image of a young Trabert. Leather handle grip features quatrefoil perforations. Inscription along right side of shaft: ENDORSED BY/THE NATIONAL [C]HAM[PION]. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ribbon, Glue, Metal, Lacquer, Paint, Adhesive tape, Plastic, Clothtennis

A Bancroft Billie Jean King Tournament tennis racquet, with bamboo laminated frame, ribbon whipping around shoulders, and leather handle with triangle-patterned perforations. Bancroft logo features across base of head. Throat features model name, and decorative swirl device. Shaft features decal of King signature. Wreathed 'B' trademark on lower shaft, and red 'B' trademark on butt cap. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ink, Plastic, Paint, Ribbon, Adhesive tape, Bambootennis

A Bancroft Billie Jean King Tournament tennis racquet, with bamboo laminated frame, ribbon whipping around shoulders, and leather handle with triangle-patterned perforations. Bancroft logo features across base of head. Throat features model name, and decorative swirl device. Shaft features decal of King signature. Wreathed 'B' trademark on lower shaft, and red 'B' trademark on butt cap. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ink, Plastic, Paint, Ribbon, Adhesive tape, Bambootennis

A Bancroft Billie Jean King Personal tennis racquet, with ribbon whipping around shoulders and shaft, fibreglass reinforcements, and leather handle grip with patterned perforations. Bancroft logo features across base of head. Throat features model name along with a gold fleur-de-lis device. Lower shaft features white 'B' trademark. Older red 'B' trademark on butt cap. Materials: Wood, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ink, Plastic, Paint, Adhesive tape, Ribbon, Nylon, Fibreglasstennis

A portable note taker that allow the operator to input either Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille and have the information read back to you. It holds up to 640K of RAM or 600 Braille pages.Cardboard box containing a cream coloured plastic rectangle device with 7 black keys, 1 carry bag, 1 adapter, 1 computer cable, 1 x 3 1/4 in. Blaze demo programs disk, 1 x 3 1/4 in. Resource disk, 2 cassette tapes "Braille'n'Speak manual" by Olga Espinola, 1 print book "Quick Reference: Braille'n'Speak command list", 2 Braille books "Braille'n'Speak Quick Reference" and "A user's guide to Braille'n'Speak" both by Olga Espinola.braille equipment, assistive devices

BHS CollectionPhotocopy of a newspaper article titled In the Viewfinder by Jack Perry titled Mining Accidents. Article mentions the number of men killed in the mines in Bendigo. Victorian Minister for Mines Angus McKay introduced a Bill, which forbade the employment of children in the mines, introduced the eight hour day, called for the licensing of engine drivers and instructed mine owners to install safety devices on mine cages. There is a photo of miners coming off their shift. There are two other articles on the page - a piece about a 'Bendigo Pottery' Milk Jug by Ken Arnold.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - mining accidents, jack perry, ken arnold, leighton rawlings, leanne lloyd, cornish association of bendigo, cornish newsletter, angus mckay

Patient controlled analgesia, or PCA, was developed in the 1960s. This mode of opioid administration allows patients to directly respond to their individual levels of pain. It is estimated there are now somewhere between six and 15 million uses annually.Two parallel sections enclosed in cream coloured metal casing and joined in the centre via a brown metal section that also forms the base and stand. The left side has a dark brown perspex cover with a small brushed metal latch and handle. The right has a grey metal panel with dial, knobs and a rolled paper dispenser. A clear plastic intravenous bag is attached to the device by a clear plastic tube.There is also a black plastic coated wire attached to a handle with a red button on top. This is used for the patient to administer the analgesia. analgesia, intravenous, flinders medical centre, janssen scientific instruments, patient controlled

This lifebuoy is part of the lifesaving equipment that would be carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century. The strips of cork wood have been joined together to make the ring shape. The broad arrow symbol indicates that it was once the property of the British or Australian defence force. A lifebuoy, or life-preserver, is used as a buoyancy device to keep a person afloat in the. It is usually connected by a rope to a person in a safe area such a nearby vessel or on shore. The lifebuoy is thrown to a person in distress in the water, allowing the rescuer to pull the person to safety. The lifebuoy is a made from a buoyant material such as cork or rubber and is usually covered with canvas for protection and to make it easy to grip. The first use of life saving devices in recent centuries was by the Nordic people, who used light weight wood or cork blocks to keep afloat. From the early 20th century Kapok fibre was used as a filling for buoys. Light weight balsa wood was used as a filler after WW1. In 1928 Peter Markus invented and patented the first inflatable life-preserver. By WW2 foam was combined with Kapok. Laws were passed over time that has required aeroplanes and water going-vessels to carry life-preservers on board. The lifebuoy is an example of equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century to help preserve life. There were many lives lost in Australia’s colonial period, particularly along the coast of South West Victoria. The lifebuoy was once the property of the British or Australian defence force.Lifebuoy, round cork object with canvas wrapped around it and rope attached to one side. Broad arrow mark and other red marks indecipherable. Painted white.Symbol of broad arrow. indecipherable markings.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, life rings, lifebuoy, safety ring, life-saving buoy, ring buoy, life preserver, personal floating device, floatation device, safety equipment, government lifebuoy, broad arrow

The Logic Analyser was purchased by the Ballarat College of Advanced Education Physics Department in the early 1980s. At the time it was a state of the art piece of test equipment used for fault finding and programming diagnostics for 8 bit computers. It was later used by the Electrical Engineers, after Physics merged with Engineering in the mid 1990s. The device monitored the 16 bit Address buss and 8 bit Data buss of an 8 bit computer. This device continually samples the 24 bits simultaneously and looks for a preset pattern. When the pattern is matched the logic analyser continues for a set number of steps thus allowing an operator to examine the data and address information both leading up to and after an event. This was particularly useful for diagnosing unusual programming and hardware errors. Logic analyzers are used in debugging and troubleshooting in mini- and microcomputers. The HP analyzers collect information through 24 (1615A) or 32 (1610B) inputs leads, connected to the computer's address, data and/or control lines. The logic state flow is shown on a display in a number of traces, a single data line or an appropriate combination of data lines providing a trigger signal. Captured data can be stored for detailed analysis. (http://http://www.science.uva.nl/museum/hp1610.php)Grey Analog computer. Includes keys and small screen.computer, logic analyzer, physics

A foghorn is a device that uses sound to warn of navigational hazards like rocky coastlines, or boats of the presence of other vessels, in foggy conditions. The term is most often used with marine transport. When visual navigation aids such as lighthouses are obscured, foghorns provide an audible warning of rocky outcrops, shoals, headlands, or other dangers to shipping. An early form of fog signal was to use a bell, gong, explosive signal or firing a cannon to alert shipping. From the early 20th century an improved device called the diaphone was used in place of these other devices, The diaphone horn was based directly on the organ stop of the same name invented by Robert Hope-Jones, creator of the Wurlitzer organ. Hope-Jones' design was based on a piston that was closed only at its bottom end and had slots, perpendicular to its axis, cut through its sides, the slotted piston moved within a similarly slotted cylinder. Outside of the cylinder was a reservoir of high-pressure air. Initially, this air would be admitted behind the piston, pushing it forward. When the slots of the piston aligned with those of the cylinder, air passed into the piston, making a sound and pushing the piston back to its starting position, whence the cycle would be repeated. This method of producing a low audible sound was further developed as a fog signal by John Northey of Toronto and these diaphones were powered by compressed air produced by an electric motor or other mechanical means that admitted extremely powerful low-frequency notes. The example in the Flagstaff collection is an early cased and portable diaphone used on pleasure or sailing craft. By manually turning the crank handle air is produced and fed into valves that direct air across vibrating metal reeds to produce the required sound. in foggy weather, fog horns are used to pinpoint a vessels position and to indicate how the vessel is sailing in foggy conditions. One blast, when sailing on starboard tack and two blasts, when sailing on a port tack and three dots, when with wind is behind the vessel. Since the automation of lighthouses became common in the 1960s and 1970s, most older foghorn marine installations have been removed to avoid the need to run the complex machinery associated with them, and have been replaced with an electrically powered diaphragm or compressed air horns. The example in the collection is significant as it was used in the early 19th century for sailing vessels was important but these portable crank fog horns have also been superseded by modern electric varieties. Therefore the item has a historical connection with sailing and maritime pursuits from our past.English Rotary Norwegian Pattern nautical foghorn within a boxed pine varnished case with exposed corner dovetailing, original leather carrying strap, brass side crank, and original copper trumped horn. Card accessory with Directions for Use in both English and French.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, foghorn, maritime technology, maritime communication, marine warning signal, portable foghorn, bellows foghorn, crank handle, robert hope-jones, john northey

A Neil Robinson stretcher is a lightweight carrying device modelled on Japanese bamboo litters, the Neil Robertson rescue stretcher was developed in the early 1900s by John Neil Robertson. Used for lifting an injured person vertically. The stretcher is made from stout canvas reinforced with bamboo slats. The stretcher is designed for removing an injured person from spaces wherein access, doors or hatches are too small to permit the use of regular stretchers. Spaces such as ship engine room spaces, cargo holds, pump rooms, boiler rooms etc. are a few examples of such compact spaces.An item designed to transport injured personnel from tight places, either at sea or on land.A rescue stretcher made from white canvas reinforced with bamboo slats and adjustable canvas straps. The canvas straps are secured with metal buckles and there is a metal ring attached to lengths of ropes at both ends. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, stretcher, neil robertson, neil robertson rescue stretcher, rescue equipment

The kerosene lamp is a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel. Kerosene lamps have a wick or mantle as light source, protected by a glass chimney or globe; lamps may be used on a table, or hand-held lanterns may used for portable lighting. There are three types of kerosene lamp: traditional flat wick, central draught (tubular round wick), and mantle lamp. The side screws adjust the length of the wick and hence the strength of the flame / light produced. Prior to the introduction of gas and electricity these lamps provided light in households after sunset.Prior to the introduction of gas and electricity these lamps provided light after sunset for the early settlers, as they established their farms and businesses, in Moorabbin Shire.A Victorian kerosene banquet lamp, with a gilded metal quad footed base, cranberry glass oil reservoir with geometric patterns, original etched, yellow, glass globe shade and clear glass chimney. There are 2 side screws for adjusting the flame.early settlers. pioneers, follett w, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, kerosene, paraffin, lights, lamps, candles

The kerosene lamp is a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel. Kerosene lamps have a wick or mantle as light source, protected by a glass chimney or globe; lamps may be used on a table, or hand-held lanterns may used for portable lighting. There are three types of kerosene lamp: traditional flat wick, central draught (tubular round wick), and mantle lamp. The side screws adjust the length of the wick and hence the strength of the flame/light produced. Prior to the introduction of gas and electricity these lamps were used for lighting in all households after sunsetPioneers and early settlers relied on kerosene lamps for lighting their homes after sunset.A 19th Century kerosene chamber lamp, with clear, plain glass shade and reservoir, circular metal base and 1 side screw for adjusting the flameearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, ormond, cheltenham, candles, lights, lamps, kerosene, paraffin, oil

This type of pessary was used in the treatment of retroflexion of the uterus. Thomas’ Retroflexion Pessary is narrower in proportion to its length, while the greater bow is enlarged to a bulb-like form. It enjoyed great popularity and as such was manufactured in a great variety of sizes. Comprised of hard rubber because of its lightness and the high polish that may be given it. The shape can be adjusted by covering the device in petrolatum and heating it with a spirit lamp or immersing it in boiling water. Manufactured in three sizes, and could be combined with a cup and stem external support. See Allen & Hanburys Gynaecological instruments catalogue, page 707.Vulcanite pessary. Pessary is loosely horseshoe shaped, tapering to a point at the proximal end. The curve of the pessary at the distal end thickens and is rounded. Majority of the pessary is concave.intrauterine device, pessary

Braille Scrabble was first produced in 1954, not long after the game was 'discovered' and popularised by Macys department store in the U.S. Braille letters and numbers are located on the left-hand side of the tile, with the large print letter in the middle. Scoring was kept through the use of metal pins which could be placed into slots located behind racks that hold each player's tiles. According to the printed booklet that forms part of the set, the Scrabble board had moulded ridges to hold the tiles and had a turning device that allowed the board to rotate easily between players. Cylindrical container containing 101 braille letters with 4 black plastic trays, box containing 16 metal pins and 11 page booklet. recreation equipment, games

A plastic device to enable a sighted person to communicate with a person who is Deaf-Blind in either standard Braille or Moon. The centre radius of the disc has the ordinary alphabet printed in black. Moving outwards from the centre, are the corresponding letters embossed in Braille, then on the outer edge are the corresponding letters in Moon. The user moved the indicator arm around the disc until the desired letter and corresponding symbol was positioned under the cut-out in the centre of the arm. The deaf-blind person could then touch the disc to determine the letters being communicated. Numbers and punctuation are not included.White plastic disc with black indicator armbraille equipment, assistive devices

This is a simple household labour-saving device. The box was fitted to the end of the table and knife polish was sprinkled on the cloth inside. The knife was then placed in the centre of the box and clamped in tightly. The knife was then pulled backwards and forwards several times (three seconds was the suggested time) and the object was then deemed to be polished. All households had cutlery of some sort and many had good silver pieces that were meant to be kept in a sparkling polished condition. This cleaner would have assisted those in a household assigned to the care of the cutlery. These would have included the women of the household, the children or domestic employees. This item is retained as an interesting example of a household labour-saving device from 100 years ago. This is a circular wooden box with an extra piece at one end of the base and a sliding top lid with a wooden knob. The lid lifts up and the inside of the box and the lid is covered with rough cloth. Some of this cloth has rotted away. The top of the lid has a printed label pasted on. This is torn and soiled. ‘Patent The Magic Knife and Fork Cleaner’ ‘I am handy and useful where’r I am used, To clean knives and forks brightly I never refuse, In mansion or cottage to both I do go, So buy me, and try me, my worth you will know.’ household devices, history of warrnambool