FLETCHER RUSSELL & CO. LTD/ WARRINGTON MANCHESTER & LONDON Thomas Fletcher (1840-1903) had established a gas appliance manufactory in Thynne Street, Warrington by the 1880s. By 1895 the company had become Fletcher Russell and Co Gas Engineers, his firm having merged with Alexander and William Russell of Pendleton Iron Works. In 1950, the firm merged into Radiation Ltd which was later acquired by 'TI New World. In the early 1880s Thomas Fletcher was a registered dentist who went on to found a dental apparatus manufacturing business. He later diversified into producing equipment for blacksmiths, foundries, forging and other sectors. The company had grown to 900 employees in 1914. These foot-operated bellows were for pumping gas to keep the patient relaxed while the dentist worked on their teeth. They were later modified for a variety of uses where a continual flow of air was needed.These bellows are representative of a range of devices developed in the late 19th Century to assist in manufacturing. They were donated to our collection by a Wodonga resident.A set of foot bellows made from timber, metal and leather. The bellows were activated by pressing up and down on the metal step-shaped lever at the front. The air outlet on one side would have a hose attached to it to direct the air current to wherever it was needed. The bellows are made from leather. The manufacturers mark is attached to the top within a metal circle.On top of Bellows in a circle: "FLETCHER RUSSELL & CO./ WARRINGTON/ MANCHESTER / LONDON"foot bellows, fletcher russell & co. ltd.

This poster, published by the State Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, depicts Lieutenant Albert JACKA, VC, as a role model for a huge campaign to enlist sportsmen into the Australian Imperial Force in 1917. Jacka achieved instant fame back home when he became the first Australian to win the Victoria Cross during the First World War. It was said that one of the reasons he was such a good soldier, and had such a fighting attitude, was that he had been a boxer before the war. The campaign to enlist sportsmen was fuelled by a strong belief that by playing sport young men developed specific skills and qualities that could be used on the battlefield.Representative of two common recruiting devices used in Australia, a well-known local soldier and a target number of men required for a specially named group.Depicts Lieutenant Albert Jacka, VC, as a role model for a huge campaign to enlist sportsmen. Surrounding Jacka are colourful depictions of healthy young men engaged in a variety of sports: football, rowing, cricket, tennis and golf are amongst the sports.Full Text: Enlist in the Sportsmen's Thousand, Join Together, Train Together, Embark Together, Fight Together, Show the enemy what Australian sporting men can do.albert jacka, ww1, poster

In Tibetan Buddhism a "dorje" (also known as "vajra" in Sanskrit) symbolizes the indestructible nature of reality, spiritual power, and enlightenment, often depicted as a thunderbolt or diamond scepter, representing the ability to cut through illusion and achieve ultimate wisdom; it is a key ritual object in the Vajrayana school of Tibetan Buddhism, signifying the union of compassion and wisdom through its male principle association when used with a bell (female principle). The Double Dorje (Vishvavajra), is a powerful Buddhist symbol. It consists of two crossed vajras (dorjes) and represents the foundation of the physical world. The Double Dorje is often associated with stability and protection, symbolizing the indestructible nature of the universe. This double dorje is a cross of two dorjes, which look like a small scepter with multiple prongs at each end.tibetan buddhism, holy objects, worship devices

The Mark II Pilot Balloon Slide Rule was made of wood laminated with heavy white plastic with a length of 24.5-in. and width of 2.5 inches. Mark II rules were manufactured in Australia by W & G (Melbourne). The W & G rule differs only slightly from the English A. G. Thornton LTD rule. The W & G rule uses serif fonts and has some fiducial marks that the English rule lacks. Exact dates of production are not known but the MK II is known to have started production by 1927. The printed scales are engraved in the plastic faces. The slide rule has 4 captive cursors (glass windows and brass guides) that ride in slots on the top and bottom edges. Each can be moved independently of one another. The cursors are missing from this item. Brass knobs at both ends of the slide facilitate its movement. The case is fabric covered wood with felt lining. No known history for this item as located in a property after purchase. The Pilot Balloon slide rule is used to convert the observed azimuth and elevation readings into wind velocity and direction records. The use of slide rules was abandoned with the wide spread adoption of computers and programs to do the calculations, as well as the decline in the use of optical pilot balloon theodolites.Made in Australia by White & Gillespie (Melb) Pty Ltd. Established in 1910, the firm was involved mainly in printing plate manufacture, but during the Second World War it manufactured a variety of navigational aids and range finding devices for the military. About 250,000 instruments were made during that period. After the war the company produced, among other items, drawing instruments and slide rules. The long narrow case is fabric covered wood with felt fabric lining containing a long black laminate ruler with numerous white markings and numbers. Top of the ruler is in three sections with the centre section movable by small gold metal knobs at either end. This slide rule contains a engraved notation on the rear face "IMPORTANT. NORMALLY NUMBER OF GRATICULE SCALE DIVISIONS PER RADIAN (K) X LENGTH OF TAIL IN FEET (I) = 12X 105. IN OTHER CASES MULTIPLY GRATICULE READINGS BY 1.2/KI BEFORE CALCULATION ON RULE" Top of Slide Rule - RAAF Ident No G268/480 Serial WG/22pilot balloon slide rule, raaf

Ideal because of it's light weight, metal canes were developed, some with a rubber grip that could slide down the cane and allow the user's hands to hold the cane comfortably. This cane has a noticably small crook which, given it's long length, was presumably not used by the owner to hold it. The tip of the crook and end of the cane are enveloped in plastic protectors.White metal cane with rubber on handle and tipassistive devices, orientation and mobility

Designed by Nimoka (Nippon Moujin Youga Kaihatsu), it was produced between 1979-2005. A heavy Braille writer for its size, the Apollo provides a standard typewriter style albeit with the oblong keys sitting to the left hand side of the brailler. The design easily fits within a small musical instrument style case, and consists of a rectangular shaped structure made out of metal base with black coloured keys and a grey coloured soft plastic cover. Underneath a battery compartment (which powers a bell) is kept closed with a capped screw.Black and green metal object with covering boxApollo Brailler Mark-II (Serial number) 834400braille equipment, assistive devices

At 130 cm, this cane is meant to be held at chest height by the user. In the 1940's the long cane 'two point touch' technqiue was pioneered by Richard Hoover, which combines swinging the cane from side to side and tapping either side of one's shoulders to identify obstacles and changes in walking surfaces.Wooden white cane with crooked handle with metal join and metal tipassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This wooden frame is designed to sit over paper pages. The elastic strands provide a guide to the writer to maintain a straight line of writing, with the beads allowing indication of space between words or sentences. This frame allows those who have deteriorating sight to continue writing handwritten notes.1 wooden frame with elastic and beads and metal cornersassociation for the blind, assistive devices

A wooden ruler with raised metal dots marking the spacings on the ruler. Made prior to 1971, when metric measurements were introduced, this 18-inch ruler is a demonstration of how easily a simple visual measuring tool could be adapted for varying degrees of sight by the use of tactile markings. 1 wooden ruler with metal pins as measurement pointsassistive devices, royal national institute for the blind

This speaking calculator was designed to perform several functions as well as memory, in synthetic voice. With two modes - visual or visual plus voice - it was powered by a nickel cadmium rechargeable battery or by a special adaptor from mains supply voltage. Dark brown rectangular box with numerical and mathematical keyboardTSIassistive devices, audio equipment, office equipment and supplies

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two side hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and four lines of Braille could be written.1 metal Braille frame with two lines of Braille windows and 4 small prongs to keep frame positioned correctly.braille equipment, assistive devices

Traverse and Elevation Mechanism T&E for the U.S. Browning M1919A4 .30 cal M2 TripodB166489-4, conjoined AD, CSW, A139987, B.195549 2.A, and has graduated markings on two knurled training and elevation nuts.military

Undated catalogue outlining a range of respirators available through Garthur (London) Ltd.Pale blue [discoloured] cardboard covered book with blue pages printed in black ink, bound by a staple through the spine.Handwritten in blue ink on front cover: P. Penncatalogue, repirator, respiration, medical equipment, medical device

Undated catalogue outlining all anaesthetic equipment available through A. Charles King Ltd.Brown cardboard covered book with white glossy pages, held together by a star clip.catalogue, anaesthetic, anaesthetic machine, anaesthetic device, anaesthetic apparatus, anaesthesia, medical history, medical device

Grey/brown hardcover book with cloth covering produced as a trade catalogue for surgical instruments and appliances, including anaesthetic equipment and apparatuscatalogue, surgical instrument, anaesthetic device, anaesthetic equipment, anaesthetic apparatus, anaesthesia, anaesthetic, surgery

Surgical and anaesthetic equipment catalogue from 1938Black bound book with gold leaf text on front cover and spine and white internal pages with blue printed text and illustrationsBook plate adhered to inside cover: SCIENTIA SAULTEM FERAMUS / SIR ANTHONY JEPHCOTT, BT. Handwritten in blue ink: J. Jephcott / NOV 1977catalogue, surgical equipment, anaesthetic equipment, anaesthetic apparatus, surgical apparatus, surgical device, anaesthetic device

Undated catalogue outlining anaesthetic apparatus designed and supplied by MIE (Medical and Industrial Equipment), London.Blue cardboard covered book with low sheen white pages. Bound using staples through the spine and star pins.catalogue, anaesthetic, anaesthetic apparatus, anaesthetic device, anaesthetic machine, anaesthetic equipment, anaesthesia, surgical equipment, surgery

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Tapered cone made of hollow glass which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

This dilator is labelled as being from the rooms of Dr Graeme McLeish.Hollow glass cone which flares to a rim at base. There is an indent in the glass just above the rim on one side.intrauterine device

Quartz is one of the most common minerals in the world. It is formed by a 3d structure of silicon and oxygen. While it is a simple mineral, it can come in a variety of shapes and colours. When quartz is pure it is colourless, transparent and can appear glass-like. Better known and more rare variations of quartz include amethyst and smoky quartz. This specimen is a vein of quartz in Breccia Conglomerate. Breccia is coarse-grained clastic rock which is made up of broken rock fragments and held together by mineral cement. The locality of this specimen is unknown. While quartz is a very common mineral and does not have rarity, it is an important material in industrial settings. One of it's physical and chemical properties is that it is piezoelectric, which means it can be used to generate an electric charge. This has made it useful in the manufacturing of timekeeping devices. This specimen was donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880 among a larger collection of geological specimens. It was collected as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria which begun in 1852 as a response to the Gold Rush. Collections were distributed to organisations across Australia to encourage the further study of the scientific makeup of the Earth. A solid egg-shaped rock with a mineral vein forming a ring around the rock in shades of brown and beige.burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, 1852 geological survey of victoria, mineralogy, quartz, breccia, breccia conglomerate, conglomerate

Used to measure the depth/distance of the uterus. Uterine sounds are particularly useful for ensuring safe and accurate IUD placement.This is one of a collection of items received from the practice of Dr Lachlan Hardy-Wilson, FRCOG, Launceston, Tasmania.Disposable uterine sound in sterile sealed packaging. Label inside packaging reads 'Mark-7 brand of disposable uterine sound/ONE STERILE UNIT/NO. 154'. Label also includes manufacturer information, a sterile packaging warning, and a caution about sale of the item being restricted to physicians. The number '026' is printed on the back of the packaging.intrauterine device

Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679.|The Willcox& Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1857 by James E. A. Gibbs and James Willcox and opened its London Office in 1859 at 135 Regent Street . By 1871 the Company's Chief Office for Europe was at 150 Cheapside, London, this office was later moved (post 1885) to 94 - 96 Wigmore Street, then 37 & 39 Moorgate Street (by 1891 to post 1907) and later 20 Fore Street, London .Right from the initial production the manufacturing of the Company's single thread, chain stitch machine was undertaken by Brown & Sharpe, Rhode Island and this continued up until 1948.|A special hand crank mechanism was produced in England for the European market, but the general design of the Willcox& Gibbs remained essentially the same throughout its production. The only major improvement was in 1875 when the glass tension discs were replaced with an automatic tension device which ensured the machine could not get out of adjustment.|In addition to the domestic hand and treadle machines the company produced a wide range of industrial models.|The Company finally closed in 1973.|This Willcox& Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America in the late 1860's but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox& Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base.|The cloth plate has various American patent dates, four dating between 1857 & 1860 relating to J. E. A. Gibbs, three dating between 1860 & 1864 relating to Chas H. Willcox (son of James Willcox), the machine was also licensed under five other patents including the infamous Elias Howe patent of 1846.|There are only two English patents one for J. E. A Gibbs and the other for James Willcox.Upright sewing machine. Machine is quite small and set on wooden table. Ornate metal sides and treadle feet. One drawer. Brass name medallion on back.Willcox & Gibb Sewing Machine co, New York.|Other inscriptions are :-|London, Paris|Measures|Thread type|Needle 12 stitches to inch|Brevettees G.D.G.|En France|Eten Delgique|Under Royal Letters|Patent|James Willcox|July 4 - 71 [1871]handcrafts, equipment