This pump is an Ajax Type L2 Series A model, made and sold by McPherson’s Pty Ltd of Melbourne circa 1930’s to 1940’s, is a mechanical, hand operated, constant flow pressure pump. It would have been used to pump fluids from one area to another, for example from a dam to a tank or used as a bilge pump on a small vessel, mounted on the vessel’s bulkhead, floor or deck. This type of hand pump is sometimes called a ‘Reciprocating Suction Pump’. It has a mechanical pumping action of the lever moves the piston inside the pump up and down. The water is lifted from below the pump through the inlet pipe and into the pump’s cylinder. This action causes the lower valve to close and the piston’s valve opens and the pressure within the pump forces the water out of the pump through the exit pipe. The limitation of this type of pump is that it can only raise the water a maximum of about 7 metres from beneath the ground and yields 24-26 Litres per minute. This type of pump could be used for many purposes such as pumping water or fuel. McPherson’s 1940’s advertisement proclaims “For all jobs on the land – irrigation, spraying, tank, plumbing, fire-fighting – there’s a suitable “Ajax” pump. Send us the details of you pumping problem. Our Expert’s advice will help you choose the right pump – the one that will give you most years of PROFITABLE PUMPING.” (The Australasian (Melbourne) Sat. 26th October 1940.) McPherson’s Pty Ltd, the manufacturer, advertised a similar pump to this one in The Australasian (Melbourne) in 1936, calling it the Ajax Double Acting Hand Pump. In 1942 another advertisement advised that a representative for a fire-fighting equipment supplier was visiting the western district of Victoria. The company could now supply double-action two-spray Ajax pumps at lower prices than similar pumps the district had recently purchased from Adelaide. McPHERSON’S FOUNDER and COMPANY TIMELINE 1860 – Thomas McPherson, a Scottish immigrant (c. 1853 ), founded McPherson’s in Melbourne, supplying pig iron (lead ingots imported as ballast in ships) to local manufacturers. 1882 – Thomas McPherson established a warehouse in Collins St Melbourne and included tools, steam fittings and machinery in his wares. The business expanded to include steam saw mills and became known as Thomas McPherson and Sons (William Murray and Edward). 1888 – Thomas passed away and his sons inherited the business. In 1896 William Murray became the sole proprietor after his brother Edward’s death. 1900 – The firm expanded, establishing Acme Bolt Company to manufacture nuts and bolts. 1912 – McPhersons Pty Ltd established a machinery warehouse and showroom in 554-556 Collins St Melbourne. McPherson’s went on to establish branches in Sydney (1911), Adelaide (1921) and Perth (1930) 1917 - McPherson’s supplied ‘dog spikes’ for the transcontinental railway, running from Eastern to Western Australia. 1918 – A tool works set up in Kensington, Melbourne, manufacturing Macson lathes and made machine tools that previously had to be imported. 1924 – The Bolt Works was transferred to a new building in Melbourne. McPhersons began making pumps. 1929 – McPherson retired. His son (Sir) William Edward McPherson (known as ‘WE’), was born in Hawthorne, Melbourne, in 1898. After his education he began work in his father’s Melbourne hardware and machinery business He took over as governing director when his father retired. 1929-1932 – McPherson’s supplied thousands of tons of rivets from its Richmond (Melbourne) Bolt Works for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 1936 – McPherson’s Pty Ltd is advertising Ajax Pumps in newspapers 1934 – McPhersons purchased the property adjoining the warehouse in Collins Street, and during 1935-1936 built a new office and showrooms on the site of 546-445 Collins St. 1939 - McPherson’s acquired the Tool Equipment Co. Pty. Ltd and Associated Machine Tools Australia Pty Ltd was formed to separate McPherson’s machine-tool manufacturing and merchandising interests. 1939 – Ajax Pump Works, a foundry and pump manufacturing plant, was established in Tottenham, Melbourne, and the Ajax Bolt and Rivet Co Pty Ltd began manufacturing in New Zealand. 1944 - McPherson’s became a public company, McPherson’s Ltd. 1948 - The Ajax Pump Foundry opened at Kyneton, Victoria and in the post war years it grew to became a large manufacturer. 1980’s – Ajax Pumps brochure lists the address as 6 Buckhurst St, South Melbourne, Vic 3205 with the Telephone number 03 669 3588 1988 - Ajax Pumps acquired the Forrers Company, which was established in 1921. Manufacturing in Ipswich, Queensland, specialising in submersible sewage pumps. 1991 – KSB Ajax was formed, bringing together the companies KSB and Ajax Pumps 1993 – Manufacturing was moved to state-of-the-art premises in Tottenham, Victoria 2001 - The Forrers facility was moved to Tottenham. 2007 - Company name KSB Ajax Pumps was changed to KSB Australia Pty Ltd. 2009 - KSB Australia opened a branch in Townsville, Queensland. 2011 - KSB Australia moved to its dedicated Water and Waste Water Competence Centre in Bundamba, Queensland. DISPLAY OF THIS AJAX PUMP This pump was installed at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village as part of a working display in the village by the Friends of Flagstaff Hill, in acknowledgement of the dedicated involvement of one of its long serving members, Bob Crossman. The display was officially opened 31st March 2018 and incorporates a restored Furphy Tank and Water Pipe Stand. The pump is used to draw water from the lake, through the water stand pipe and into the reconditioned Furphy Tank. This Ajax pump made by McPherson’s Pty Ltd is significant for its association with McPherson’s, a prominent manufacturer of hardware in Victoria. McPherson’s is famous for supplying ‘dog-spikes’ for the transcontinental railway (eastern to western Australia, 1917) and rivets for the Sydney Harbour Bridge (1929-1932). The Ajax pump is also of significance because of its association with McPherson’s Governing Director (Sir) William McPherson, former premier and treasurer in Victoria 1928-1929. The former McPherson’s Pty Ltd building in Collins Street Melbourne is now on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR H0942 This pump is representative of mechanical pumps popular in the early to mid-1900’s and still used today. Hand operated pressure pump, double acting. Cast metal case, painted red, with steel hose attachments and long metal lever. Pump is bolted to wooden plank. Model of pump is AJAX, Type L2, Series A pump. Embossed on lower section of pump "L2 - 10", "L2 - -1", "AJAX" “(?) –2-1” Embossed on lower handle “3-7” “L – 4” Embossed on attached plate “FOR SPARE PARTS / TYPE L2 / SERIES A / PUMP ASSEMBLED BY T R” Manufactured by McPherson’s Pty Ltd of Melbourne circa 1930’s - 1940’s.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, ajax pump works tottenham melbourne, ajax pump factory kyneton, william edward mcpherson, thomas mcpherson of melbourne, mcpherson’s pty ltd melbourne, acme bolt company, tool equipment co. pty. ltd, associated machine tools australia pty ltd, ajax bolt and rivet co. pty ltd new zealand, forrers company ipswich queensland, ksb ajax pumps, ksb australia pty ltd, macson lathes, tool manufacturer early to mid- 20th century, ajax double acting hand pump, ajax type l2 series a pump, qisjax pumps, water pump 1940’s, fuel pump 1940’s, hand operated constant flow pressure pump, reciprocating suction pump, agricultural hand pump, plumber’s hand pump, portable hand pump

Used by Ballarat School of Mines and Industries. The Junior Technical School was a day school combining general education with a practical preparatory training for engineering and other trades, and for art and science work.Red soft covered booklet of 20 pages containing information on aim and purpose of the school, scholarships, admission, text books etc, hours, compulsory education, accommodation and school institutions. There is a photograph of carpentary and wood turning workshop and the sheet metal workshop.warrnambool, warrnambool junior technical school, prospectus, j.murray, t. livingstone, f. tate, fritz landmann, p. webb, b. abbey, e.b. phillips, f. morse, w.j. hickford, e. battarbee, m.j. tate, charles foyle, a. robinson, john alderidge, i. macdermid, letters of support, business men

Stefanie and William Rietman were the children of August and Frieda Rietmann. Stefanie became a school teacher and designed and made resin jewellery, Later she established a Native grass garden in Joyce park, Ormond, William joined August's business and after his death continued the development of Rietman's Landscaping and pottery firm . His son Ray also continued the family business in Bay Road Highett and the Carrum. August Rietman 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878-1942 leased the Cottage in 1917 and raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006, and William 1920– 1997. August was a Monumental Mason / Potter / Sculptor and he was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to make the War Memorials for many towns post WW1. August purchased the property 1935,and established a pressed concrete business using the cottage as a workshop and storeroom After August died in 1951, William, his son, continued to work in the business from the site until the land was sold to Lewis Co. Ltd Timber Merchants in 1970. Rietman's Landscaping Ltd moved to Bay Road Highett 1953 and later to Carrum. The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and Carrum.Photographs x 2 Black & White, of Stefanie Amilie Rietman, and William Henry Rietman c 1920 at Ormond AustraliaHand written namesrietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, mountford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, box william, box elizabeth, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, resin jewellery, australian native grasses, schools, education, craftwork, pottery, ceramics, ormond state school

This copy book was used by Maggie McKay in 1902 when in 6th Grade at Meeniyan State School (no 3165) and was learning to write in the approved manner. Vere Henry Louis Foster (1819-1900), an educationist, philanthropist, and humanist, who worked devotedly to improve the situation of the Irish poor, published a series of these copy books to improve writing skills, as better literacy and penmanship meant better chances of employment. The books were first published in 1865 and were sold for 1 penny, a fraction of what they cost to produce. In the first year alone one million Foster's Copy Books were sold. The series of books taught children the alphabet and writing. Copy books for older children taught basic business studies and book-keeping.The family of Maggie McKay were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA school writing copy book with 14 pages divided so that the student copied the text on one half of the page. VERE FOSTERS NEW COPY BOOKS / BOLD WRITING / OR CIVIL SERVICE SERIES London BLACKIE & SON Glasgow and Dublin market gardners, pioneers, early settlers, mooorabbin, brighton, east brighton, bentleigh, correspondence, writing equipment, pen and ink, education, vere foster, irish

August Rietmann (1877-1951) of Lustdorf ,Switzerland, married Maria Frieda Oesschlager (1878-1942) of Baden Baden, in Germany on 6/8/1910 8/8/1915 August and his wife Frieda migrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia sailing on the Steam Ship ‘Osterley’ from Marseilles to Melbourne They leased Box Cottage, Ormond in 1917 and raised two children, Stefanie (1918 -2006) and William (1920- 1997). 1935 August purchased the property and the family used the Cottage during the day and slept in the Front House. August was a monumental mason, potter and sculptor, and was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to carve war memorials in Victoria post WW1 c 1915-1922. During the 1920's August set up his own business in pressed cement making pot plants, columns,paving slabs and lampstands. His son William joined the business and and the family continued to use the site after August died in 1951. Rietmann Landscaping Ltd moved to Bay Road Highett in 1953 and later to Carrum. The land, containing the Box Cottage, was sold to Lewis Timber Pty Ltd in 1970 and Mr Lewis proposed that Moorabbin City Council should preserve the heritage Cottage. Stefanie Rietman, grew up living in Box Cottage until 1935 when she began a Teaching career. Stefanie married Alan Francis 1941 but he was killed in WW2 Air operations over Germany 1944. Two sons were born 1942, 1944. Stefanie returned to live at the cottage until 1958. She married Herbert Rennick 1946 and two sons were born 1947, 1952. Stefanie also established a native grasses garden in Joyce Park, and designed and made resin jewellery. Stefanie died 2006 In 1984 the Cottage was dismantled and reconstructed in the adjacent Joyce Park. The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. Stefanie was a talented artist , school teacher, and jewellery designer and raised 4 sons. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and a) Newspaper clipping, Moorabbin Standard 17/9/1996 Stefanie Rennick ( nee Rietman) by N. Strahan b) Photograph Black & White, Stefanie Rennick ( nee Rietman) 1999a) printed article b) handwritten informationresin jewellery, australian native grasses, schools, education, craftwork, pottery, ceramics, ormond state school, rietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, montford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, box william, box elizabeth, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, box cottage ormond

Diggers & mining. The gold era. Market Square, Castlemaine, in 1855.Shows many businesses in the Market Square. Many nationalities on the street, most are walking, some with a hand cart, also ox pulling a wagon. Markings 51 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Letters from following businesses re donations for major raffle for 125th. Anniversary. Bendigo Regional YMCA, Burke School and Office Supplies., Gillies Bros. Hibernian Hotel, Bloom N' Gifts, Maggie Mae's Home Made Cakes, Golden Square healthwise Pharmacy.bendigo, education, golden square primary school

Bendigo Magazine Issue 9 Summer 07/08. Contains an article written by Sharon Greenaway about Violee Myer-Davey OAM which mentions her life and education in Bendigo. Book also contains other articles about Bendigo, its people and businesses.government, local, city of bendigo, golden square laurel street p.s. collection - bendigo magazine issue 9 summer 07/08, violee myer-davey oam

Epsom Primary School Centenary 1881-1981. Photographs, illustrations and map. 80 pages. With Indexschool, centenary, epsom, education primary school centenary epsom history scholars teachers mothers' club honor roll 1914-1918 war township epsom salts, hotels, progress association, ww1, ww2, vineyards, palm trees, store, ascot park, local families, businesses, sports

The Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition, held at Bendigo from 13 November 1901 to 14 May 1902. The courts were numbered from one, or had titles like “Machinery”, “Agricultural”, “Naval & Military Court” and “Art”. The female visitors to the Exhibition were able to view exhibits deemed suitable for the fairer sex and located within their own “Women’s Court”. There were exhibits such as “Parasols & Umbrellas”, cotton and haberdashery from Manchester and Staffordshire, “Corsets & Embroideries” from Paris. The most valuable exhibits were mining machinery such as Taylor Horsfield’s £850 “Air Compressor & Rock Borer”. “Bohemian Glassware” brought down from Sydney was valued at £600. The profits from this Exhibition were used to fund the sculpture known as the Gold Monument, which still gazes along Pall Mall (from the McCrae Street end). The Exhibition’s Cash Book shows payments, which totalled £1160, were made to then up and coming sculptor C.D.Richardson. Recently a City of Greater Bendigo staff member used both these volumes to write a detailed report about this monument, for Heritage Victoria.Carol Holsworth Collection: Small book Souvenir, 29 pages plus cover; each page. has a photo of the exhibit. Exhibition was held on the site of the present Bendigo Library between Hargreaves St and Lyttleton Terrace. * 8662.1a Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Front Cover: Printed 'Souvenir', 'Bendigo 1901-1902'; a photo of the Entrance to the exhibition beside the Town Hall. * 8662.1b Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Inside Front Cover - Page 1 of 29. Portraits of Exhibition President S.H. Cowen esq.; and G.V. Allen esc., General Secretary. Photos by W.H. Robinson publisher. Printed by T. Cambridge, Market Square Bendigo. * 8662.1c Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 1 of 29 The Governor General at the Exhibition. Photo of the crowd, police, trooper and horse drawn vehicles. * 8662.1d Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 2 of 29 Procession Passing the Fountain, Pall Mall. The crowd and horse drawn vehicles. *8662.1e Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 3 of 29 James Martin and Co's Exhibit. James Martin & Co was an Australian engineering company which progressed from making agricultural equipment to making railway locomotives. * 8662.1f Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 4 of 29 Old Pioneers. Elderly gentlemen on foot and carriage - at the Bendigo Railway Station. * 8662.1g Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 5 of 29 Robert Harper and Company's Exhibit. From Trove - The Brisbane Courier 25 Aug 1891: One of the best known firms in the Southern hemisphere is Messrs. Robert Harper and Co , tea importers, coffee, rice, and spice merchants and manufacturers Then productions circle this continent, and every thrifty housewife is familiar with their Empire tens, their Star' brand of goods, then oatmeal, wheatmeal, and other breakfast table luxuries The headquarters of the firm are placed at Port Melbourne, and the manufactory there occupies over an acre of ground, while the mills at Sydney and Adelaide are as great in proportion It is eight cars since the firm opened business in this colony. The step was taken with much confidence, the principals the firm being quite attracted. * 8662.1h Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 6 of 29 The Electric Tram * 8662.1i Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 7 of 29 G. Weymouth Proprietary Ltd. The business of G. Weymouth & Co was founded in 1898 by George Andrew Philip Weymouth, who began operating from a small workshop on City Road, South Melbourne (opposite Princes Bridge). An early advertisement describes the firm's activities at this time as being 'makers of dynamos, (electric) motors, x-ray apparatus and electrical instruments, &c' together with 'repairs to every class of electrical work'. * 8662.1j Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 8 of 29 The Exhibition Fernery * 8662.1k Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 9 of 29 Cohn Bros'. Exhibit. In 1857 at the height of the gold rush, with people pouring into Central Victoria from all over the world, three brothers from Denmark – Moritz, Julius and Jacob Cohn – founded a small cordial factory in the booming town of Bendigo. They went on to build an empire and, through introducing lager, which is served cold, to the country, changed the drinking preferences of Australians. * 8662.1l Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 10 of 29 Ornamental Lake in the Exhibition Grounds * 8662.1m Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 11 of 29 Australian Explosives and Chemical Co.'s Exhibit. The Australian Explosives and Chemical Company began manufacturing explosives in Melbourne's outskirts (the area now known as Deer Park) in 1875. In 1897 the Company was purchased by Nobel, forming Nobel (Australasia) Ltd. * 8662.1n Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 12 of 29 Tasmanian Court * 8662.1o Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 13 of 29 N. Guthridge's Limited Exhibit. Guthridge sold a variety of mining supplies and equipment; also 'Rackarock' which was used to fill the mining drill holes before blasting. * 8662.1p Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 14 of 29 Navel and Military Court (LARGE File) * 8662.1q Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 15 of 29 Women's Court * 8662.1r Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 16 of 29 T. J. Connelly and Co's Exhibit. T.J. Connelly an American immigrant came to the Bendigo goldfields where he later established Connelly’s Tin Shop on the corner of High and Forest Streets 1853. Connelly was named after Thomas Jefferson the famous statesman who wrote much of the American Declaration of Independence in 1776 and became the third United States President. Connelly, along with other prominent citizens of the time established Bendigo’s first Fire Brigade, Mechanics Institute. * 8662.1s Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 17 of 29 The Potter's Wheel * 8662.1t Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 18 of 29 G. D. Guthrie and Co.'s Exhibit. In 1863 the Bendigo Pottery was set up by Guthrie. * 8662.1u Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 19 of 29 The Ladies' Committee * 8662.1v Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 20 of 29 J. Kitchen and Sons Exhibit. In Port Melbourne since the 1850s they made such products as Velvet Soap and Electrine Candles from the tallow and other animal fats from the nearby slaughter yards. In recent decades the company has become Kitchen & Lever then Unilever and most recently Unichema. * 8662.1w Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 21 1of 29 The Executive Committee * 8662.1x Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 22 of 29 Taylor Horsfield Exhibit. The most valuable exhibits were mining machinery such as Taylor Horsfield’s £850 “Air Compressor & Rock Borer” * 8662.1y Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 23 of 29 A Peep at the Education Department 8662.1z Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 24 of 29 John Danks and Co's Exhibit. John Danks & Son was a major manufacturing company in Melbourne, Victoria and Sydney, New South Wales. * 8662.1aa Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 25 of 29 Glance at the Agricultural Department's Court * 8662.1bb Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 26 of 29 T. York's Exhibit. Thomas York was an instrument repairer and brass instrument maker that resided in Melbourne in the late 19th to the early 20th century. While old newspaper advertisements suggested he repaired all instruments, it appears the focus of his business were military and brass band instruments. (BrassandWoodWind.com) * 8662.1cc Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 27 of 29 T. McPherson and Son's Exhibit. Possibly monumental masons. * 8662.1dd Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 28 of 29 T. Lewis and Whitty's Exhibit - Inside Back Cover. Lewis & Whitty were prominent boot blacking manufacturers as well as a number of other chemical products such as “Odourbane" disinfectant. * 8662.1ee Victorian Gold Jubilee Exhibition - Page 29 of 29 Singer Manufacturing Coy's Exhibithistory, bendigo, victorian gold jubilee exhibition bendigo, carol holsworth collection

28 page soft cover booklet 'The 1985 Excursions Guide to Bendigo, the Golden Heart of Victoria'. A detailed listing of Bendigo's attractions and businesses suitable for student groups (as well as family visitors). Produced by John Price (Audio Visual Rescources Centre) on behalf of the Bendigo District Education CommitteeJohn Price

EIG School - Ralph Birrell Collection. - Construction of Latrobe Uni. C1966. Bendigo Institute of Technology, Engineering School, Applied Science. Looking due south from Brennan Park Swimming Pool car park, across Brennan Park swimming pool to LaTrobe University, gives a view of the two towers of the Business and Technology Building.Kodakeducation, tertiary, latrobe university bendigo, eig school - ralph birrell collection. - construction of latrobe uni. c1966. bendigo institute of technology, engineering school, applied science. looking due south brennan park swimming pool car park, brennan park swimming pool to latrobe university, gives view two towers business technology building.

The Joly meldometer was created to determine the melting point of minerals. W.E. Wilson, an astronomer and author, stated in 1900 that the Joly meldometer consisted of a ‘a strip of platinum on which minute fragments of any mineral can be placed, while any alteration in its length can be determined by means of a micrometer screw which touches a lever connected with one end of the strip. The strip can be heated by an electric current, and is calibrated by observing the micrometer readings corresponding to the temperatures at which some substances of known melting-points melt’i . One reason why the Joly meldometer was seen as a successful addition to science was the small amount of any substance that it required for testing. Only a minute sample was needed for the instrument to work and so a tiny part could be taken from a delicate item without destroying itii . The instrument was originally manufactured by the Irish company Yeates & Son of Dublin. The Yeates family business was established in the early 1790’s and is thought to have operated until approximately 1922iii . Their business slogan was recorded as ‘Instrument makers to the University’, a slogan which proudly exhibited their relationship with Trinity College, Dublin. The company was located directly opposite Trinity College, the place where the Joly meldometer was created. Working in such close proximity must have assisted this business relationship. The inventor of this meldometer was Irishman John Joly. Joly was born in 1857 at the Church of Ireland Rectory, Hollywood House. His education led him to Trinity College Dublin where, by 1891, he had obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree as well as a Doctorate of Science. The entirety of his working life appears to have taken place at Trinity College although he is known to have travelled in order to consult with other scientists such as the world renowned Sir Ernest Rutherford. The Joly meldometer was used for a variety of different purposes, with scientists often adapting the instrument to suit their own needs. For instance, the previously mentioned astronomer W.E. Wilson adapted the meldometer to assist him in measuring the radiation of the suniv . Joly used his device in an attempt to ascertain the age of the earth. In 1913, along with Sir Rutherford, Joly came to the conclusion that the earth was approximately 400 million years old. They did this by analysing the decay of radioactivity in minerals. According to our present knowledge of the earth this was a much more accurate date than the dates Joly had previously derived. He had first thought that the earth was 97 million years old due to the volume of sodium in the oceans. Joly’s second analysis of the topic had resulted in the age of 80 million years. This figure was based on the accumulation of sediment. Apart from designing his meldometer, Joly is also remembered for his work with colour photography. In 1894 Joly discovered a method for creating colour photographs from a single platev . He also studied the use of radiation as a treatment for cancer and persuaded the Royal Dublin Society to establish the Radium Institute to assist hospitals. In 1933 Joly passed away at the age of seventy-six.