It took 15 years to invent the can. It took 100 more to invent a standard way to open it. In the 19th century, decades after the invention of canning, there were virtually no can openers. Canned food, such as sardines, came with its own "key" to peel back the tin lid. Birth of the can One of the oddest things about the can opener is that the can predates it by almost 150 years. Though common today, cans were once military-grade technology. In 1795, Napoleon, to whom the phrase "an army marches on its stomach" is attributed, offered 12,000 francs to anyone who could find a way to preserve food. Without any knowledge of bacteria or their role in food spoilage, scientists didn't even know where to begin. It took 15 years before a chef named Nicholas Appert claimed the prize after successfully jarring food. Soon after that, his countryman Philippe de Girard came up with a variant on Appert's method—metal tins—and sold the idea to the British. Spoiled food, and the sickness it caused, was a widespread problem. The public would have benefited from canned food, but for decades cans were almost exclusively for the army and the navy. The canning process, with its hours of boiling and steaming, its scrupulous cleanliness, its heated metal, and its need for a great deal of disposable material, made canned food far too expensive for anyone but the military. No can openers were needed or even possible. The metal of early cans was too thick to make openers practical. Soldiers and sailors had plenty of sharp objects on hand and made ample use of them when they wanted to eat. During the 19th century, the process of canning was refined and mechanised, and the metal wall of the average can slimmed down enough that a civilian could get it open—if that civilian had the right tool. No one had that tool yet, so early cans had to open themselves. In other words, they came with built-in openers. The result was a confusing but pleasing free-for-all, in terms of product engineering. Each type of food came with its own kind of can, and each kind of can came with its own kind of opener. Tinned fish and meat were often sold in rectangular cans. These cans were fitted with a "key" that would roll down the top of the can. Coffee, beans, and other types of meat were packaged in cylinders with metal strips that could be peeled back with their own kinds of built-in keys. Cans of milk, which didn't need to be completely opened, came with puncture devices. As tinned food became more common, its containers became more regular. A nice cylindrical can became the norm, and, as these cans filled kitchens, more engineers put their minds to finding a convenient way to open all of them. The first standalone can opener worked on a simple principle: point, stab, and pull. From the mid-19th century to the end of World War I, the typical can opener looked roughly like a wrench, if the lower 'jaw' of the wrench were replaced with a blade. People used the blade to puncture the top of the can near its edge, push the upper jaw against the side of the can, and drag the blade through the metal along the rim. Because meat was the first and most popular canned substance, these can openers were often shaped to look like cows and given the nickname 'bully beef can openers'. The bully beef can opener, popular in the mid-19th century, resulted in many lost fingers. Bully beef can openers were so common, effective, and sturdy that they are still frequently available on collectors' sites. Some are advertised as “still working,” and every last one of them is, without a doubt, soaked in the blood of our ancestors. Dragging a sharp blade along the edge of a can is certain to cause injury sooner or later. So once people got a reliable can shape and a reliable way to get the can open, the search was on for a reliable way to get a can open without the possibility of losing a finger. The answer came in 1925, from the Star Can Opener Company of San Francisco. This is probably the first can opener that resembles the one people have in their kitchens today. Instead of using a blade to pry open a metal can, buyers could clamp the edge of the can between two wheels and twist the handle of one of the wheels to move the blade around the lip. The Star can openers weren't perfect. Compared to the bully beef model, they were flimsy and breakable, but they probably prevented a few injuries. Six short years after the Star model came to market, the first electric can opener was invented. It was patented in 1931 by the Bunker Clancey Company of Kansas City, who had already been sued by the Star Can Opener Company for trying sell a double-wheeled can opener like the Star model (the case was dismissed). The electric can opener must have seemed like the wave of the future and a sure-fire seller, but it proved to be too far ahead of its time. In 1931 not that many households had electricity, and those that did weren't interested in buying can openers. The Bunker Clancey Company was subsequently bought by the Rival Company, which still makes small appliances like can openers today. It took another 25 years for electrically powered can openers to become practical. In the 1950s, Walter Hess Bodle and his daughter, Elizabeth Bodle, developed an electric can opener in the family garage. Walter came up with the opener's blades and motor, and Elizabeth sculpted the outside. Their can opener was a free-standing unit that could sit on the kitchen counter. The Udico brand of the Union Die Casting Company put it on the market in time for Christmas in 1956 and had great success with it. Over the next few years it came out in different styles and colours, and, like the bully beef can opener, has become a collector's item. Also like the bully beef model, Udico can openers often still work. They don't make 'em like they used to. Although there have been some design changes and refinements over the last sixty years, there have yet to be any more leaps forward in can opener technology. If you're resentfully opening a can, you are almost certainly doing it using the Star design, manually forcing the can between two wheels, or the Bodle design, clamping the can into a free-standing electrical opener. Whether or not you enjoy your holiday meals, at least you can be happy that you are not getting poisoned by your own food or cutting open your hand with the blade you use to get at it. That's something, right?The can opener is still a very important and essential item in most kitchens.Can opener, right handed, metal, upper blade section serrated, inscription 'Peerless Pat.Feb 11-90'.Peerless Pat.Feb 11-90flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cannning, can opener, kitchen equipment

The Display Board of Konts was handmade in Kings Lynn, Devon, England, by Tom Long DSM, who is a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. This display board shows the knots and joins used in ropework performed by a sailmaker and other skilled ropeworkers. It demonstrates the uses of some of the knots, such as for knobs and handles, suspending lengths of wood, reinforcing spliced rope and even for decorative work. The sailmakers travelling as part of the ship’s crew stored their tool kit in a canvas ditty bag. It contained needles, awls, a sailmaker’s leather palmed glove with a heavily reinforced palm - a shuttle to mend and make nets, fids, knives, mallets, brushes, rulers, and rope gauges. Sailmakers used their ropework and knot-making skills for various purposes and chose the type of rope fibre for its particular properties. For example, Italian hemp rope was preferred for the light line used in shore-to-ship rescues because it was lightweight, not easily knotted, and absorbed less water. A supply of various types of rope was a commodity on board a ship and on land in the new colonies. It was flexible, easily stored, and could be worked to create an endless variety of objects on its own or with other materials like wood. An example is a simple rope ladder. Lengths could be combined to make various thicknesses and pieces could be skilfully joined together by splicing. The importance of knots in seafaring cannot be overestimated. When ships relied on only the wind for power and speed, there were a huge number of various ropes in use, particularly with regard to the sails and rigging. Seafarers would be judged on their ability to tie knots speedily and correctly. A mounted display of authentic seaman's knots is on a board covered in blue fabric. Various rope grades and fibres were used to work numerous knots and splices. Some of the uses are familiar, such as the toggle, the pineapple knot, and the Turk’s head. A selection of rope grades and fibres were used to work numerous knots and splices. Some of the uses are familiar, such as the toggle, the pineapple knot, and the Turk’s head. The name or purpose of the knot is on the label below it. Labels below each knot give its name or use.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, knot display, knot making, ropework, marine technology, sailmaker's work, sailor's knots, ship's rigging, seamen's knots, handmade, rope craft, knots, splices

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

Washing wringer (or mangle) marked "EXTRA HIGH GRADE WARRANTED" and "102" and " - - -ROLLS 12 - - -" Has orange coloured rollers. Clamps on swivel to clamp onto trough. Adjustable pressure clamps on top. Trade Mark of Horse Shoe with "AWCo" inside it . Instructions stamped on wooden slope "THIS WRINGER HAS WARRANTED RUBBER / ROLLS / VULCANISED TO THE SHAFTS / PUT - - - THE BEARINGS / BEFORE USING LARD LOOSEN TOP SCREWS / WHEN THE WRINGER IS NOT IN USE" and "HORSE-SHOE COMBINATION TUB CLAMPS / WILL HOLD WRINGER - - - TO GALVANISED IRON, FIBRE OR WOOD TUBS" . flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wringer, mangle, laundry, domestic, cleaning, washing wringer, clothes wringer

Port of Portland Authority archivesFront: (no inscriptions) Back: Northern Trench, Wheat Storage Site, June 11th (pencil, upper left)port of portland archives, wheat storage, construction

Copy of Education Department standard form for Merit Certificate.Ringwood State School. Merit Certificate for Leopold Pratt, Grade 8 in Elementary Schools. Dated 16th November, 1920

Copy of cuttings from The Mail1932- Ringwood Mothers Club giving the annual Ringwood State School childrens Xmas treat in the Town Hall, 12/12/1932. 1937- Politics at School. A mock election held at the Ringwood State School amongst the 6th Grade scholars on 25th October, 1937.

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" No names

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" No names

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" No names

Black and white photograph"Written on front of photograph" Back Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: Joan Freeman (3rd from left) 3rd Row- L to R: Wendy Lunt (2nd from left), Mary Beale (3rd from left) Front Row- L to R: No names Teacher: Mr Corr

Black and white photographBack Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: Only name - Nelly Munckhof, last on right. 3rd Row- L to R: No names Front Row- L to R: No names

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" Back Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: No names 3rd Row- L to R: No names Front Row- L to R: David Beith, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?.

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" Back Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: No names 3rd Row- L to R: No names Front Row- L to R: No names

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" Back Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: No names 3rd Row- L to R: No names Front Row- L to R: No names

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" Back Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: No names 3rd Row- L to R: No names Front Row- L to R: No names

Black and white photograph"Attached to photograph" Back Row- L to R: No names 2nd Row- L to R: No names 3rd Row- L to R: No names Front Row- L to R: No names

Standard format "Report Book" - Ringwood School No 2997Hand written half year report for Peter Wigley, Grade 5, dated 25/6/47

Foreword Intro: Life story of Australian croquet champion Elsie Isabel Baner (1900-1983) who, in her early thirties in late 1933, began to play crouet on a newly-formed lawn adjoining the Ringwood Bowling Club. Within three years, she won the hightly prestigious English Silver Medal (B Class Division) and was immediately upgraded to A Grade. Elsie remained a champion player for the next three decades and was acknowledged by her colleagues as "a legend in her own lifetime. Author, Dr Sue Summers, is the maternal granddaughter of Elsie Isabel Baner and Frederick Thomas Baner. Awarded to the Croquet Australia Hall of Fame on 1st December 2023, for demonstrated leadership and influence in croquet in Australia as a player, coach and mentor.

``Newspaper clipping from The "Post" , 11-8-93 P3 . Sport crazy kids kicking off new skills after schoolRingwood Council has established an After School Sports Program for children in grades 3-6. The program will operate from Norwood Secondary College 4pm-5pm on Wednesdays for grades 3 & 4 and Thursdays for grades 5 and 6.`

``Newspaper clipping from the "Mail" 22-10-96 P5. A stitch in time. L to R : Kerryn, Jana and FelicityGrade 4 students at Ringwood North Primary School have won the top prizes in a Royal Mellbourne Show embroidery competition. In all, seven students won prizes at the show. `

``Newspaper clipping from "The Post", 16-10-96 P1 Ringwood North Primary School grade four students tasted success recently in the Royal Melbourne Show "year seven embroidery" competition, with Jana (Front Centre) winning first prize, Felicity (right) second, and Kerryn (left) third.`

Newspaper Clipping from "The Post", 22-9-1993, Page 1 . Moving on after 30 yearsFriday was the end of semester for students at Ringwood Heights Primary School and the end of a teaching career spanning 30 years for principal David Hornsby. Mr Hornsby is seen with Grade 6 pupil, Kim Redford. Mr Hornsby has a reputation as a leader in literacy and language, and had regularly lectured in North America. He will coninue to apply his knowledge in this direction.