Figsens were a popular form of patent medicines sold in chemists and were taken to relieve constipation. They were packed in small orange and black tins before plastic packaging became popular.A small rectangular tin which is rounded at the corners. The lid is decorated in 3 bands of black, white and orange strips and wording in the same colours. The lid is hinged. The contents of the tin, its uses and dosage are written on the bottom of the tin in black.TRADE MARK 'NYAL' REGISTERED / FIGSEN / THE GENTLE LAXATIVE / FOR / CONSTIPATION / NYAL COMPANY SYDNEYnyal company, pharmacies, laxatives, medicines, george evans collection

The Edison Fireside Phonograph Combination Type A model phonograph was an open horn model. This machine was produced around 1909, just after the introduction of 4-minute record cylinders in 1908.; the selection lever on the front was either 4 or 2-minute choice. This Fireside model has a fluted octagonal horn that attaches to the reproducer on the machine and is suspended by on ring by a horn crane attachment. The phonograph machine is powered purely by mechanical means, winding the crank handle on the side of the machine to start the belt-driven, spring-loaded motor inside. The sound comes from a pre-recorded, vertical cut record cylinder, which slides over the Mandle, a smooth rotating drum. The reproducer, an all-in-one needle, amplifier and speaker, is lowered onto the cylinder, the needle picks up the sound and plays it on the speaker and the attached horn amplifies the sound. The phonograph machine was invented by Thomas Alva Edison in the late 19th century. Edison adopted the idea from the technology of the telegraph machine. He patented the phonograph in early 1878. It was able to record sound and play it back. This amazing invention opened up a whole new world of entertainment, where wax cylinders of pre-recorded sound could be purchased with a wide variety of music and played over and over. The first wax cylinders were white and used a combination of bees' wax and animal fax or tallow. By 1892 Edison was using 'brown wax' cylinders that ranged from cream through to dark brown. The Edison Phonograph Company was formed in 1887 to produce these machines. He sold the company in 1855 to the North American Phonograph Company but bought that company in 1890. He then started the Edison Spring Motor factory in 1895, and the National Phonograph Company in 1896. In 1910 the company became Thomas A. Edison Inc. In 1898 Edison produced the Edison Standard Phonograph, the first phonograph to carry his own trade mark. He began mass producing duplicate copies of his wax cylinders in 1901 using moulds instead of engraving the cylinders. The wax was black and harder than the brown wax. The ends of the cylinders were bevelled so that the title's label could be added. The last phonograph machine to use an external open horn was produced in 1912 due to the much more robust round records being invented. In 1913 Edison started producing the Edison Disc Phonograph. The company stopped trading in 1929.This Edison Fireside Phonograph model is significant for being one of the last models to have an external horn. It is also significant for its connection with the invention of the phonograph, which made music and sound available for domestic enjoyment. It was used for entertainment and education, even teaching languages. It signalled a new era of music that could be reproduced and played anywhere. It is also significant for its short time span of popularity, just a few decades, due to the growing use of records, which gave a much higher quality sound and were more robust.Phonograph; Edison Fireside Phonograph, Combination Type, Model A. It is in a wooden case with a domed lid, metal catches on each side and a folding wooden handle. It has a metal drum and a reproducer mechanism. The metal and wood crank handle starts the machine’s motor. A sliding lever at the front selects the speed for four- or two-minute cylinders. The inscribed plate has the maker, serial number, patents and other information. The reproducer also has an inscription. It has a curved metal open horn attachment. Made in Orange, New Jersey in c.1909. NOTE: the fluted octagonal horn is catalogued separately.Case front, in script, Edison’s early ‘banner’ decal “Edison” On the front of the machine “Thomas A Edison TRADE MARK” On the maker’s plate; "Edison Fireside Phonograph Combination Type" Serial number “14718” Around sound outlet; “C 4076” “REPRODUCER LICENCED FOR USE ONLY ON EDISON PHOTOGRAPHS SOLD BYT.A. EDISON INC.” At the front edge “4 MINUTES 2flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, gramophone, phonograph, music player, entertainment, audio equipment, edison, thomas a edison, horn, phonograph horn, amplifier, audio, sound recording, sound playback, phonograph machine, phonograph cylinder, external horn, edison phonograph company, wax cylinders, sound reproduction, edison spring motor factory, national phonograph company, thomas a. edison inc, crank-operated motor, open horn phonograph, 4 speed, 2 speed

Harold E. (Edward) Hurst (1888-1972) born on the banks of the Eumeralla River (near Macarthur) lived in a villa in Newtown called "Eumeralla" (Skene Street). "Boss" Hurst invented, patented and manufactured metal fasteners for wool bales and fencing. (Ref: 'Boss' Hurst of Geelong and Nauru : a life by Don Chambers) - held at the National Wool Museum, Geelong.Nonewool bale hooks, clips, fasteners, "grip bale fasteners", ev. hurst

A wooden, slotted handle racquet with a 12 1/2 inch head. Inscription along neck of obverse: FLASH. Inscription across neck of reverse: HARRY C. LEE & CO/NEW YORK. Inscriptions featuring manufacturing and patent details situated along the sides of the stem. Materials: Wood, Glue, Lacquer, Ink, String, Gut, Leather, Metaltennis

A Dayton Pilot tennis racquet, with a steel head and throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Racquet head stringing continues through into the fully opened throat. Decals of maker and model, with patents, feature on right side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Paint, Leather, Ink, Cordtennis

A Davis Olympyad tennis racquet, with whipping around the shoulders, and a leather handle grip with patterned perforations. Model name features across base of head, on obverse. TAD trademark, within diamond device, features on throat on reverse. Patent details feature on left side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Ink, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Stringtennis

Scalebuoy. Invented by Hartley Abbott and patented under the name of the Bendigo Electronic Company, made in various sizes & for different applications, such as to prevent scaling in the boilers at mines. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.Made up of a sealed glass bulb containing mercury and gasses enclosed within a chromed wire cage and with a chromed handle. The one shown being a handheld shaker model. science, bendigo electronic, abbott

Used on Ballarat-Skipton railway line to carry money and tokens. Rescued from bonfire when Linton Station was demolished, by Fred Freestone. Donated to Society 1981.Two brown leather pouches. Bag 1 has brass plate which reads "Linton" (plate attached to square of leather stitched to bag). Bag 2 has the word "Linton" written in ink on front, where leather patch and brass plate used to be. Each bag has two brass loops at top, holding a leather strap which keeps the pouch closed. A brass padlock with a key is attached to the strap.Makers' marks: On padlock 1 and its key: "M 63" "J. Hubball Melbourne". On padlock 1: "VR". On padlock 2: " + " "S166" "59" "Chubb's Patent" "120 Queen Victoria St London" "Makers to Her Majesty" "120294" (=date?). On key for padlock 2: "Chubbs Patent" "London" "VR".railways, transport, conductor's bags

Continuous cutting chain was patented in 1905 by Samuel Bens of San Francisco, while the first portable chainsaw was developed and patented in 1918 by Canadian millwright James Shand. But the main advancements of modern petrol chainsaws occurred in Europe in the 1920s and 30s where Andreas Stihl is often hailed as the "father of the chainsaw" After the second world war lighter materials, metal alloys and improved engine designs revolutionised the logging and timber industry. Of interest on this model is the spacing of the teeth compared to modern machines. With a 4HP motor it has few safety features and is very heavyEarly model chainsawBurns ChainsawModel 106forest harvesting

Early Hamilton Patent lemonade bottle, green tinted glass. The 'torpedo' shape was designed so the bottle could not be stored upright. As long as the cork was kept wet, the contents would maintain its carbonation.Green tinted glass bottle, "torpedo" shape, applied topglass bottle, torpedo bottle

This type of mobile spring weighing scales were in high use before legislative Weights and Measure standards where in force throughout Australia. This was in a time when a "mans word and handshake" was his legal document. It was a time, especially in rural areas that the term "she'll be right" was extensively used and these types of scales (the accuracy over time) would produce a near "enough is good enough" measure. These scales are very significant for the rural produce within the Kiewa Valley. Rural produce such as hay milk and butter tubs,tobacco bundles could be easily weighed (in relatively smaller packages) for both markets and for use within the valley.This spring scale (!/2 Once to 4lb) was used as general weight scale. Because it is spring loaded the accuracy would fade over time and by over weighted loads. The spring enclosure is made from cast iron painter black. There is an iron ring at the top (attaching/holding) and an iron hook at the bottom (holding). There is a brass front plate with engraved markings(on the left side) running from top to bottom and a movable pin weight indicator running in the middle indicating the weight of the item being weighed.At the front top"SALTER'S SPRING BALANCE 4LB BY 21/2 OZ" underneath "No 1A" At the bottom in smaller print "MADE IN ENGLAND PATENT"weighing instruments, spring balances

1946 One of the first Contex calculators, the Half-Keyboard Adder used Leibniz step cylinders to perform simple addition. The predominant use of this Contex would have been adding sterling currency. Starting from the right, the levers were used for half and quarter pence, the next row would be pence, followed by shilling up to 19, and pounds. On the far left there is a zeroing lever for the entire mechanism; Ref: Online: 'physicsmuseum.uq.edu.au'Used by the office staff at the SECV construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Bakelite small typing machine consisting of numbers with a screen above.'Context' embossed centre front 'Lubrication' with instructions and with Patents on bottom 'Chartres Business Service' at back 'Numbers 1 - 5' at front on knobscontex, adding machine, office equipment

The Victoria Tower made landfall after a voyage of 85 days from Liverpool, and headed towards the Port Phillip Heads pilot boarding ground. It had been an uneventful voyage despite some contrary headwinds (causing the long voyage) and problems with the compasses, that could not be relied upon. The weather was hazy, with gale force winds and heavy rain squalls. Reaching the pilot ground Captain Kerr fired rockets and burned blue lights to attract attention, but met with no response. Sighting the Cape Shank lighthouse he sailed towards it, then wore the Victoria Tower onto a port tack in a westerly direction. No soundings nor observations were taken, as Captain Kerr was confident he was on a safe course and knew his position tolerably well. Slatted wooden cabin door with 2 locksPatent disk on top lock, W2 SR on either side of coat of arms. Number 60 in the middle and 1A carpenter patentee underneathdoor, cabin, victoria tower, shipwrecks

Beecham’s Pills became one of the most popular ‘over the counter’ patent medicines after their introduction in the 1840s. Developed by Thomas Beecham, Beecham’s Pills were a standard family medicine for many generations. (Ref sciencemuseum.org)This item reflects changes in public health medical practice and research over the last century. Beecham pills were a commonly purchased home remedy.Small, round wooden container for Beecham's Pills. Still has original label and two pills inside.medicine beecham pharmacy

Bendigo Central Bottle Club Newsletter - James Lerk Collection, Vol 7. No. 6 (ca. June/July1982) Sketches of bottles - Jones Miller & Co. Cordial manufacturer , Bendigo, W Bruce & Sons - Patent Aerated Waters, Sandhurst; reprint article from ''Bendigo and Vicinity'' (1895) re W Bruce & Sons, Brewers, Bendigo with biographical details and description of brewery.

A Goldsmith 'Hermis' tennis racquet with elongated oval head and concave wedge throat. Decal of manufacturer on throat on obverse states: THE SPORTING GOODS WITH A GUARANTEE/TRADE/MARK/REG U.S. PATENT/GOLDSMITHS/HERMIS. Handle hand carved/customised. Has butt cloth and string whipping around shoulders Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, String, Ink, Guttennis

A wooden, slotted handle racquet, with a 13 1/2 inch head. Inscription along throat of obverse: CADILLAC. Inscription across base of head of reverse: HARRY C. LEE & CO/NEW YORK. Inscriptions featuring manufacturing and patent details situated along the sides of the stem. Materials: Wood, Glue, Lacquer, Ink, String, Gut, Leather, Metal, Clothtennis

A Dayton Pilot tennis racquet, with a steel head and throat, and, wooden shaft and deep-grooved handle. Racquet strings made from piano wire. Racquet head stringing continues through into the fully opened throat. Decals of maker and model, with patents, feature on front, and right side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, Paint, Leather, Ink, Cordtennis

Book - 8 pages plus card, stippled paper, cover centre stapled "The Suggestions Scheme of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board" with a foreword about the scheme signed by Robert Risson as Chairman, describes the basis of the scheme, how it was to work, patents, information to be provided and decisions. Undated - mid 1960's? See Reg Item 3717 for a suggestion form and its used in 1956trams, tramways, mmtb, suggestion scheme, instructions

The development of stereoscopic photography views or stereographs was immensely popular in the United States and Europe from about the mid-1850s through the early years of the 20th century. First described in 1832 by English physicist Sir Charles Wheatstone, stereoscopy was improved by Sir David Brewster in 1849. The production of the stereograph entailed making two images of the same subject, usually with a camera with two lenses placed 6 cm apart to simulate the position of the human eyes, and then mounting the positive prints side by side laterally on a stiff backing. Brewster devised a stereoscope through which the finished stereograph could be viewed; the stereoscope had two eyepieces through which the laterally mounted images, placed in a holder in front of the lenses, were viewed. The two images were brought together by the effort of the human brain to create an illusion of three-dimensionality. Stereographs were made of a wide range of subjects, the most popular being views of landscapes and monuments and composing narrative scenes of a humorous or slightly suggestive nature. Stereoscopes were manufactured for various price ranges and tastes, from the simple hand-held device introduced by Oliver Wendell Holmes who promoted stereography through articles to elaborate floor models containing large numbers of images that could be flipped into place. The stereograph became especially popular after Queen Victoria expressed interest in it when it was exhibited at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exposition. Like television today, stereography during the second half of the 19th century was both an educational and a recreational device with a considerable impact on public knowledge and taste. The Fine-art Photographers' Publishing Co. published many stereoscopic pictures from many different photographers from around the world under license. They also not only sold these images of various scenes and of famous people of the time but also were retail sellers of the viewers with the subject item having been made in the USA probably by H C White who held the patent for the subject items design from 1895 to 1902.An item that was very popular from the mid 19th century through to the beginning of the Edwardian period. Used for entertainment and also educational purposes and significant as it gives us a snapshot into the Victorian era and its social and domestic societal norms. Stereoscope viewer with adjustable view-finder that has a padded nose rest. The slide holder can move along the channel to suit the viewer. Made in London by the Fine-art Photographers' Publishing Co. Printed on metal plate "THE FINE-ART PHOTOGRAPHERS' PUBLISHING CO. 48 Rydevale Rd, LONDON, S.W." Embossed on viewing cup "U.S.A. PATENT OCT.15.1895" "CANADA / FRANCE / GERMANY / D'R''G'M' NO. 53803" "JUNE 3.1902 / FEBY 1.1896 / B.S.G.D.B. / GREAT BRITAIN / AUSTRIA / BELGIUM"warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, stereoscope, stereographs, stereoscope viewers, home entertainment

Len Barnard's 'Soap Saver' WashboardLen Barnard is a major contributor to Australian JazzMetal and timber 'Soap Saver' WashboardNational Washboard Co. Chicago Saginaw Memphis Soap Saver Trademark reg. U.S. Pat.Off. Made in U.S.A. No 198 Patent 1152766-1283148soap saver washboard, washboard, len barnard, soap saver washboard, washboard, len barnard

A thin strip of wood for resting tie on while it is clamped between 2 laminated pieces of timber with metal clamps. 9012.1 Press is missing long strip of timber for resting tie on. 9012.2 Top of press is printed with a coloured patternTy LIfes KEEPS YOUR TIE IN SHAPE. PATENTED AUST. NO. 5309/ On back plaque reads Beaucaire MADE IN ENGLAND The Best Men's Wear

The hairdresser's singer was used in the local hairdressing and tobacconist shop owned by Hugh Jones from 1947-70, until such treatments were abandoned. Mr. Jones retired in 1976. Knowledge of the use of such hairdressing aids assists in the understanding of progress made in modern hair treatments.A green-coloured metal cylinder containing white dropless tapers (candles) which were used to singe freshly-cut hair to prevent "bleeding ends".Black painted signage on the cylinder: "Ship Brand" "Price's White Dropless Tapers" "Manufactured by Price's patent Candle Co. Ltd., London & Liverpool"hairdressing singer

Small square gilt finished pressed metal compact. Top of lid features a plastic covered panel of Petite Point embroidery in a design of curtiares roses and blue flowers. Inside the lid is a square mirror with a spring hinged metal flap over powder compartment, fitted with pink nylon mesh panel.Inner top edge: 'Patented'|Inner lower edge below mirror: 'Made in England'|On inner metal flap initials: 'RC/I/U'personal effects-toilet requisites, cosmetics

Large caste iron wheel on which two knife cutters are fitted - hand rotated - material to be cut is fed through a canter-levered wooden box - reduction gears are used to ease the effort for the person operating it. All of this is mounted on a caste iron frame. Capable of cutting 'I/2 . 1/2 Chaff'|Similar one sold by Welch, Perrin & Co P/L in 1929 for 8 pound .The 'Bentall' Chaff Cutter moulded on the reduction gear cover. 'Bentall Improved (or Patented?) Chaff Cutter 913 Heybridge, Maldon, England' - on the body and wheel.rural industry, livestock

Chrome 'Heda' electric kettle with spouted lid, also wooden handle. Had cardboard guarantee card attached.ON base - 'solid copper' plate Heda kettle Made in Australia Volts 230 Amps Patent No. 19084 manufactured by C. W. Marriott Melbournekettle, electric kettle, heda