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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Gauging Rod, 1903-1938
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. Gauging rod or bung rod; ullaging gauge. Long brown wooden gauging rod with brass tips and sliding brass marker. Measurements are marked along the length of the rod. Used for measuring volume of liquor in casks in order for Customs to calculate excise (tax) on the contents. Made by Dring & Fage, London.Engraved “Dring & Fage 56 Stamford St London flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, gauging rod, ullaging rods, measuring instruments, customs tax, dring & fage, alcohol measurement -
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 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Instrument - Cornet, Brass Cornet
After WW1 the Wilhelma Templer village bought ex WW1 German Armed Forces Brass instruments for their own Brass Band. The Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany from having more than a 10,000 man army thus creating a flood of unwanted instruments with no one having cash to buy them. With the deportation in August 1941 by the British Mandate of most Templers from Palestine to Australia, one of the young bachelors, Gustav Reichert, obtained permission to bring these instruments to Tatura. This he did and, in Camp 3, a band was reformed to entertain members of both internees and often, Camp Authorities. Gustav enjoyed playing the double brass with the Melbourne Templer Brass Band in the 1960-1970's. The above instruments have semi-rotary valves, as traditionally French Horns do, unlike most Anglosaxon bands, where piston valves are used almost exclusively. Yet in German the name Piston is commonly used for cornet. Though battered, these instruments are all still serviceable for their intended use, some more so than others. Their canvas carry bags offered little protection. The group comprised 1 double bass, 1 Euphonium, 1 valve bass trombone, all in C, 3 baritones in Bb (German tenor horns), 3 cornets in Bb, 1 soprano cornet in Eb, in all 11 instruments. Some of the got "lost".Brass cornet with a canvas carry bag.brass instruments, wilhelma templer village, camp 3 band, gustav reichert -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Morse key, C 1930
The Morse telegraph system had its beginnings in 1836 when Samuel Morse, Alfred Vail and Joseph Henry developed an early model of the system. There are a number of variations on the machine but the operating system is very similar in all and the language is a standardised international code which has been in operation since the 1860's. Morse code consists of five elements, dots, dashes, and gaps of one , three and seven units in length. It is still in use to this day and has been applied to other systems of communication such as amateur radio, mobile phones and communication systems for disabled people. This particular telegraph key possibly has post office or naval origins.Morse code was an important invention in world communication systems and this machine therefore has important social and research significance. It is useful as an interpretive item.This instrument sits on a black rectangular base of black bakelite. The mechanism ids held in place by three larger metal screws and two smaller ones on the upright section from the base.The movable part is metal with the attached handle a similar black material as the base.ADMY.PATT No 7681 KEY MORSE SERN PL 23780 Rocker Front contact. Lift @ turn on one of the screws on the bar.history of warrnambool, rocker telegraph, telegraph key, morse code -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Photograph, The Argus Newspaper, 1950's
Previously, band members had a war function as stretcher bearers.Black & white photo of a soldier on a stretcher having his leg bandaged. A dozen or so are standing around watching. There are band instruments in the left foreground. This appears to be members of 4/19 PWLH Band receiving first aid training at an annual camp of the Regiment.Copyright photo - stamp of "The Argus" on backband, first aid -
The Cyril Kett Optometry Museum
Photograph, Janice Cook, 1930s Optometric Consulting Room in Kett Museum, 07/06/2019
Digital photograph of 1930s optometric consulting room in the Aitken Gallery of the Kett Optometry Museum. The photograph is taken looking through the door labelled 'W.E.SMITH. FVOA OPTOMETRIST AND OPTICIAN'. The detailed exhibit shows equipment, instruments and furniture typical of optometry practices in the 1930s. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photograph, October 4 1978
From the Snowy River Mail October 4 1978 page 9 - " A MOBILE BAND - Although Orbost Municipal Band participated in Saturday's Primary School workathon, members feet didn't touch the ground. They idi it bthe easywayon the trailer of a truck. The band encouraged walkers with stirring music along the road to Marlo." The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall This is a pictorial record of the Orbost Municipal Band. The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.A black / white photograph showing a group of uniformed band members sitting on folding chair s on the tray of a large flat bed truck. They are holding musical instruments. A young boy is sitting on the edge of the tray and three other children are standing on the road nearby.on back - information from S.R.M.music orbost-municipal-band entertainment recreation -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Black and White, St Hilda's Band in Wales, 1934, 1934
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.St Hilda's Band in Wales, 1934 Four black and white photographs of members of a brass band seated in a square playing their instruments. They are situated in fields or village greens and one shows seated spectators. The band is St Hilda's Band and the conductor is Frank Wright.1). Written in pencil on back - St Hilda's, Frank Wright (conductor), Cinderford, Wales 28/5/34 2). Written in pencil on back - St Hilda's, Frank Wright, Conductor, Merthyr, Wales 6/6/34 3). Written in pencil on back - St Hilda's, Frank Wright Conductor, Llanelly, Wales 29/5/34 4). Written in pencil on back - St Hilda's, Frank Wright (Conductor), Bridgend, Wales 5/6/34st hilda's band, frank wright, conductor, brass band -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - EAGLEHAWK BAND 1880, c.1880
Reproduction on black and white photo of bandsmen with instruments, taken in front of brick building with ornate doors. Inscriptions: on front - stamped 'HJH Biggs, Health Inspector', under image - 'Eaglehawk Band 1880's', top left corner 'Eaglehawk Band, 1880'.person, group, eaglehawk band -
The Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
Photograph Optical Munitions, with F. Caldwell
Part of a series of optical munition snapshots 1940-1947. Refer to Cat No 133 for full details. Black and white photo shows Fred Caldwell looking through optical instrument. Duplicate copy of Cat no 133; in OMP Album Vol 1 #13.In ink on lower left hand corner : “13”. Inscribed on back in pencil: “No. 13 FRED CALDWELL” -
Federation University Historical Collection
Electrical Instrument, Analite Pty Ltd, Electric Switch Plate, c1905
Instrument probably for variable selection of power options from a solenoid, e.g. lift operation?; light dimming?Brass body with copper switch strips. 'Bakelite'? control buttons. Electric wire screw connector.Analite Pty Ltd, Sydney Melb underneath Numbers 1 to 4 electirc switch, copper, brass, connector, variable selection, analite, switch plate -
Creswick Campus Historical Collection - University of Melbourne
Equipment, Sketchmaster
Aerial photograph converter. Complete instrument with instructions, a number of parts in a large grey wooden custom boxEquipment -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Instrument - Protractor in a flat square wooden box
instrument used by J P Larkin, government marine surveyor in the 20s and 30s in Port Phillip and queenscliffBrass drawing circle - a protractor in a flat square wooden boxsurvey instruments, j p larkin -
Bay Steamers Maritime Museum
Book, Oliver Lyle, The Efficient Use of Stea, 1947
... instruments ...Brown hard cover book of 912 pagesInside front cover, blue sticker with white printing ÄNGUS & ROBERTSON LTD. / BOOKSELLERS & PUBLISHERS / 89 CASTLEREAGH ST., SYDNEY. / 66-68 ELIZABETH ST., MELBOURNE." Front page handwritten in blue ink "Property of - / J.T. Young / C.E.D. / I.C.I.ANZ."non-fiction, steam, power, instruments, electricity, engineering -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Ink Bottle, Office Equipment
Ink was stored in bottles and used by dipping in an instrument or being added to a stamp pad. They were replaced by biros and pens.Used by residents in the Kiewa Valley.Small glass red ink bottle with a cork stopper. Suitable for being on a desk.ink, office equipment -
Victoria Police Museum
Prison record (Andrew Geoghegan), 27 August 1918
Andrew Geoghegan, a bookmaker, was charged with illegally using an instrument on a woman, Louisa Margaret Heavey, in Hawthorn, November 1917. Prison record for Andrew Charles Geoghegan, prisoner registered number 34760, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.geoghegan, andrew charles, english speaking prisoner, abortion -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document, Certificate of Payment - John Donaldson
Certificate of payment to John Donaldson, vol 1519 folio 303692, memorials of instruments and titles office record of subdivision.3 pages of copies of original paperwork relating to J Donaldson ownership of land.john donaldson, vol 1519 folio 303692, memorials of instruments, titles office record of subdivision, certificate of payment -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Instrument - Clinometer in leather case
Instrument used by J P Larkin, government marine surveyor active in Port Phillip and Queenscliff in the 20s and 30sA clinometer in its own leather case.T. Cooke and Sons Ltd London and Yorksurveying equipment, j p larkin -
Orbost & District Historical Society
shell ornament, c. early to mid 20th Century
Mrs Elma Camm (nee Freeman) was the wife of Herbert Desmond Camm. Des and Elma lived in Orbost from 1971-1980/1. Des died on 9/11/1980 and is buried in Orbost Cemetery. Elma moved away and is presently (2013) in care at Lakes Entrance. Elma's hobby was collecting shells and crafting them into interesting forms. Much of her work is in the Shell Museum in Lakes Entrance. The figurine in Orbost Museum was donated by Elma.This item is an example of the handcraft skills of women in the early to mid 20th century.A small figurine made completely of different shaped shells and set onto a wooden block as its base. The block was originally a Wee William cigar box. The figure is playing a stringed instrument, possibly a guitar, held in front of him/her. The hat is a small shell.shell-art figurine recycled-materials -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Band Instrument and case
Brass Band Instrument - Cornet Alto. On horn Class A 50 Medals of Honour. Beeson & Co "Prototype" 198 Euston Road London England. Importer A. P. Sykes Melbourne. Model Beesons Brevete 92230 Length 25�" Bell 9" Mouthpiece missingflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - camp or picnic, Portland, n.d
Black and white photo glued to black mount board, Rural setting, clearing with gum trees behind; house visible through trees. In clearing, 3 tents, horse and buggy (2 horses); group of people sitting on ground/ chairs, three with musical instrumentsBack: 'Dad's mother at a picnic' - handwritten, blue biro top rightrural, recreation, leisure, picnic -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Instrument - Trumpet, Cavalry, Couesnon Cie, 1901 (exact)
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was raised at Enoggera in Queensland on 18 August 1914. Its recruits came mainly from Queensland but some hailed from the northern rivers district of New South Wales. The 2nd was one of three regiments of the 1st Light Horse Brigade – the first Australian mounted formation raised by Australia during the First World War. The regiment sailed from Brisbane on 25 September and disembarked in Egypt on 9 December. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment deployed to Gallipoli without its horses and landed there on 12 May 1915, joining the New Zealand and Australian Division. It played a defensive role for most of the campaign but did attack the Turkish trenches opposite Quinn’s Post, one of the most contested positions along the ANZAC Line. The first assault wave was mown down and fortunately the officer commanding the attack had the wisdom and courage to call it off. The 2nd was withdrawn from the front line in September and left the peninsula on 18 December. Back in Egypt, the 2nd Light Horse joined the ANZAC Mounted Division. Between January and May 1916, the regiment was deployed to protect the Nile valley from bands of pro-Turkish Senussi Arabs. On 18 May, as part of its parent brigade, it joined the forces defending the Suez Canal. The 1st Light Horse Brigade played a significant role in turning back the Turkish advance on the canal at the battle of Romani on 4 August. In ensuing days the regiments of the brigade participated in the immediate follow-up of the defeated Turks, but were soon withdrawn to rest. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment rejoined the Allied advance across the Sinai in November and was subsequently involved in the fighting to secure the Turkish outposts on the Palestine frontier – Maghdaba on 23 December 1916 and Rafa on 9 January 1917. A stint of protective duty along the line of communications through the Sinai followed. The 2nd’s next major engagement was the abortive second battle of Gaza on 19 April. Gaza finally fell on 7 November, after a wide outflanking move via Beersheba, in which the 1st Light Horse Brigade played a part. With the capture of Gaza, the Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment participated in the advance to Jaffa that followed, and was then committed to operations to clear and occupy the west bank of the Jordan River. It was involved in the Amman (24–27 February) and Es Salt (30 April–4 May) raids and the repulse of a major German and Turkish attack on 14 July 1918. The final British offensive of the campaign was launched along the Mediterranean coast on 19 September 1918, with the ANZAC Mounted Division taking part in a subsidiary effort east of the Jordan aimed at Amman. Turkey surrendered on 30 October 1918. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment sailed for Australia on 13 March 1919 without their horses, which were either shot or transferred to Indian cavalry units. Events in the daily routine of the soldier were signalled by bugle and trumpet calls. This trumpet is signicant because historically, it was issued to the 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment in 1912. This Regiment served with distinction in Gallipoli and Palestine in World War 1. It is probable, but not confirmed, that tthe trumpet was used by the Regiment during these operations. Each light horse regiment was divided into four squadrons. Each squadron had a trumpeter sergeant, equipped with a cavalry trumpet, who was employed at the Squadron Headquarters Technically called a cavalry trumpet, this brass instrument can be described as a "simple trumpet" ie. the direct forerunner of the modern valve trumpet. It is in E flat not B flat as is the bugle. Both were carried slung over the player's body by means of green tasselled cords.Crest with inscription: "Exposition Universelle De Paris" with circular logo with inscribed "1900". "Hors Concours Membre De Jury". Logo formed of initials (not deciphered). "Couesnon Cie 94 Rue Dangouleme Paris". Bomb burst type logo with "01" in centre. "W H Paling & Co Ltd Sydney NSW Brisbane" On bell: "Mounted Rifles (2nd ALH)" trumpet, cavalry, musical instrument, 2nd light horse, mounted rifles -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: BAND
Black and white photo of The Ellesmere Brass Band. Most of the men have a brass instrument. At the front are two drums. Stuck to the back is a yellow sticky note with Ellesmere written at the top. Under that is Irish connection? Trad - - gear. Harp on lapel. - La Trobe Collection.photo, group, musicians, peter ellis collection, the ellesmere brass band, la trobe collection -
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
Simpson's cranioclast used by Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan
Prior to the 1900s, complicated births, particularly where there was a disproportion between the size of the woman’s pelvis and the foetus’ head, often meant the death of the baby and the mother. Instruments for removing a dead or ailing foetus from within the mother were used to attempt to save the mother’s life. The cranioclast, first invented by Dr. James Simpson in the mid-19th century and later redesigned by others, was used for fetal destruction and removal. Fundamentally a strong pair of forceps, the cranioclast was used to crush the skull, decreasing its diameter. In some cases, this would allow normal uterine contractions to expel the foetus; in others, the physicians would use an obstetrical hook to pull the body out of the mother. Doctors disagreed as to the pelvic diameter that would necessitate this drastic intervention, but generally found that 3 to 3.5 inches was the smallest size through which a living infant could pass. Equally of debate was the pelvic size through which the dead fetus could be extracted. When vaginal extraction was deemed unadvisable, Caesarian section would be performed. As caesarean section became safer and more common with the advent of anaesthetics and antiseptic techniques, the use of cranioclasts and obstetrical hooks diminished. (Museum of Health Care, Kingston) Dr Mitchell Henry O'Sullivan worked in the Victorian country town of Casterton as a general practitioner from 1919 until his death in 1977. He also practiced obstetrics. His son, Dr David More O'Sullivan donated his obstetric bag and its contents to the College in 1999. The bag and contents are a unique time capsule of the type of instruments and pharmaceuticals used in the inter-war period.Hinged metal tool with bakelite handles at one end and serrated teeth at other end. The instrument is in two sections. The right or upper blade has a black bakelite handle. There are two screws on the inside of the handle, 5.5cm apart. In the centre of the blade is a screw notch in the shape of a small horseshoe. On the inner side of the blade is a depression extending most of the length. The left, or lower, blade also has a black bakelite handle. There are two screws on the inside of the handle approximately 6cm apart. Mobile metal clasps in the shape of an 'S' , with three serrations, is attached to the distal end of the handle, which enables the blades to be opened or closed. destructive instruments -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Talma, Brass Band of the Institution, 1888
In this scanned image used in the 1888 and 1889 RVIB annual reports, the RVIB Brass Band holds their instruments at the ready. This 12 piece band was made up of blind students and workers, and had two drummers holding the beat for 10 brass instruments. The Brass Band stands outside the front doors of what was then the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind building at St Kilda Road.B/W scanned image of the Brass Band of the RVIBrvib orchestra, fundraising -
Vision Australia
Mixed media - Object, Keeler ophthalmic testing set, unknown
Testing of eye conditions requires the services of eye specialists, who often had to travel around a wide area. This kit is incomplete, but demonstrates how optometrists needed a wide variety of instruments to diagnose sight conditions. Although incomplete, it also contains a booklet for the Standard Testing Set 1H-1 produced by the same company (Keeler) and briefly describes some of the instruments in the case.1 maroon case with two blue velour inserts'Note this side up' in Dymo tape on outside.assessments, keeler optical products -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Ballarat Soldiers' Memorial Band, 10/1930
Ballarat Soldiers' Memorial Band rehearsing 'en plein air' at Tanunda, South Australia. .1) black and white photograph of a group of seated men each with a musical instrument. The conductor is standing in the middle of the group. They are situated on the grass, with a shed, house and trees in the background. The group is the Ballarat Soldier's Memorial Band and the conductor is Frank Wright. .2) black and white photograph of a group of seated men each with a musical instrument. The conductor is standing in the middle of the group. They are situated on the grass, with a shed, house and trees in the background. A girl is running out of the right hand side of the picture.The group is the Ballarat Soldier's Memorial Band and the conductor is Frank Wright.Written in pencil on the back .1) Ballarat S.M. Band at rehearsal, Tanunda S.A, 1930 .2) Ballarat S.M. Band at rehearsal, Tanunda S.A, Oct 1930ballarat, tanunda, ballarat soldiers' memorial band, brass band -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Equipment - stereoscope, Photography- viewers and 105 stereo photos, 1850 c
Stereoscope is an optical instrument which enables a two dimensional image to appear three dimensional. They were popular mid 1850s.Collection of stereotypes and stereoscopesphotography, viewers -
The Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
Resistance Decade Box, mid-20th Century
Related to objects 450 and 451.Resistance decade box constructed from rectangular base of ferrous metal with black plastic top. Top displays five circular dials with three smaller circular dials on the right. Embossed plaque at front: 'J. L. WILLIAM / SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS / SERIAL No 3012 / TYPE RR5S / MELBOURNE / AUSTRALIA' Engraved and filled white on top plate from left to right: 'ABSOLUTE OHMS AT 20 C / MANGANIN' Label reading 'PHYSICS PT 2 222 A4' Logo reading: 'J. L. WILLIAM / SCIENTIFIC / INSTRUMENTS / MELBOURNE / SERIAL No 3012' 'ZERO RESISTANCE / 0.006 OHM' Dials labelled underneath with unit measurements engraved and filled white.decade box, resistance decade box, j. l. william, electrical equipment, scientific instruments -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Parallel Rule, 1947-1955
History/Context: In 1947, the scientific instrument manufacturing firms of Henry Hughes & Son Ltd, London, England, and Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland, came together to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd. Hughes Company History: Henry Hughes & Sons were founded in 1838 in London as a maker of chronographic and scientific instruments. The firm was incorporated as “Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd” in 1903. In 1923, the company produced its first recording echo sounder and in 1935 a controlling interest in the company was acquired by S Smith & Son Ltd resulting in the development and production of marine and aircraft instruments. Following the London office's destruction in the Blitz of 1941, a collaboration was entered into with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd resulting in the establishing “Marine Instruments Ltd”. Following the formal amalgamation of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1947 to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd. Marine Instruments Ltd then acted as regional agents in the UK for Kelvin & Hughes Ltd who were essentially now a part of Smith's Industries Ltd founded in 1944 and the successors of S. Smith & Son Ltd. Kelvin & Hughes Ltd went on to develop various marine radar and echo sounders supplying the Ministry of Transport, and later the Ministry of Defence. The firm was liquidated in 1966 but the name was continued as Kelvin Hughes, a division of the Smiths Group. In 2002, Kelvin Hughes continues to produce and develop marine instruments for commercial and military use. (See Note section this document for further information on the company's origins)This model parallel map ruler is a good example of the commercial diversity of navigational instruments made by Kelvin & Hughes after world war 2. It was made in numbers for use by shipping after the second world war and is not particularly rare or significant for its type. Also, it was made no earlier than 1947 as the firms of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd who took over from Smith & Sons were not amalgamated until 1947. It can there for be assumed that this ruler was made during the company's transitional period to Kelvin & Hughes from Smith Industries Ltd.Metal parallel rule with Kelvin & Hughes Ltd, Made in Great Britain imprinted, numerous measurements, two handles and 3 hinges.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, parallel rule, kelbin & hughes ltd, metal parallel rule