Photograph of a name plate from platform scalesKnowles Scale Works manf'r's of platform & counter scales Lowell, Mass.U.S.A.platform scales, counter scales, knowles scale works, scientific objects

The basic balance scale has been around for thousands of years and its accuracy has improved dramatically over the last several centuries, the principle behind this tool remains unchanged. Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, a pan at the end of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and a flat platform at the other for the counter-balancing weights. Balance scales that require equal weights on each side of the fulcrum have been used by everyone from apothecaries and assayers to jewellers and postal workers. Known as an unequal arm balance scale, this variety builds the counterweight into the device. Counter scales used in dry-goods stores and domestic kitchens often featured Japanned or (blackened) cast iron with bronze trims. Made by companies such as Howe and Fairbanks, the footed tin pans of these scales were often oblong, some encircled at one end so bulk items could be easily poured into a bag. Seamless pans were typically stamped from brass and given style names like Snuff (the smallest) and Birmingham (the largest). Some counter scales were designed for measuring spices, others for weighing slices of cake. In the 18th century, spring scales began to appear and would use the resistance of spring to calculate weights, which are read automatically on the scale’s face. The ease of use of spring scales over balance scales. These scales are significant as they identify one of the basic preparation items for the weighing of foodstuff in the family kitchen to prepare everyday meals. This item is significant as it gives a snapshot into domestic life within the average home in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century and is, therefore, an item with social relevance. Black cast iron, medium weighing scales, with a fulcrum which the beam that balances on, there is a scoop or large bowl at one end for the material to be weighted and a flat platform at the other end that holds the weights. Around the cast iron base is an embossed strip weight and bowl missing.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The basic balance scale has been around for thousands of years and its accuracy has improved dramatically over the last several centuries, the principle behind this tool remains unchanged. Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, a pan at the end of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and a flat platform at the other for the counter-balancing weights. Balance scales that require equal weights on each side of the fulcrum have been used by everyone from apothecaries and assayers to jewellers and postal workers. Known as an unequal arm balance scale, this variety builds the counterweight into the device. Counter scales used in dry-goods stores and domestic kitchens often featured Japanned or (blackened) cast iron with bronze trims. Made by companies such as Howe and Fairbanks, the footed tin pans of these scales were often oblong, some encircled at one end so bulk items could be easily poured into a bag. Seamless pans were typically stamped from brass and given style names like Snuff (the smallest) and Birmingham (the largest). Some counter scales were designed for measuring spices, others for weighing slices of cake. In the 18th century, spring scales began to appear and would use the resistance of spring to calculate weights, which are read automatically on the scale’s face. The ease of use of spring scales over balance scales. One of the most common types of spring scales was the kitchen scale also known as a family or dial scale. Designed for horizontal surfaces, these vintage kitchen scales used the weight of goods in a pan at the top of the scale to force the spring down rather than the balance system. Such scales were common in early 20th century households and were sold by many companies. Many had flat weighing surfaces but some were topped by shallow pans. Companies such as Salters, Chatillon, and Fairbanks were the most popular brands used. These scales are significant as they identify one of the basic preparation items for the weighing of foodstuff in the family kitchen to prepare everyday meals. This item is significant as it gives a snapshot into domestic life within the average home in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century and is, therefore, an item with social relevance. Black cast iron, medium weighing scales, with a fulcrum which the beam that balances on, there is as scoop at one end for the material to be weighted and a flat circular disc at the other end that holds the weights. Around the cast iron base is an embossed leaf pattern. All the weights have their weight embossed within the casting.There are 5 weights, marked 2 oz, 4 oz,8 oz,1 lb,2 lb, This scale does not have any visual markings on the arms to identify a maker or true balance. It is therefore assumed that these scales were made for domestic use only.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, spring scale, scale

Dimitrios Sofianos and Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) ran a small shop at 391 Camberwell Road Hartwell and worked there together for almost thirty years. They sold fish and chips and potato cakes as well as fresh fish and shell fish. Dimitrios Sofianos, sometimes called Jimmy James, is pictured serving a customer. On the counter there are two piles of paper for wrapping the fish and chips. The white greaseproof paper on the LHS was the first wrapper used to wrap the fish and the single sheets of newspaper on the RHS were used for the outer wrappers. The takings went into the embossed metal cash register on the counter and the metal scales on the far RHS weighed the goods to be purchased. The fish and chips were cooked in the metal vats where Dimitri is standing. Potted plants and framed pictures of sailing boats were used to decorate his shop. Many Greeks ran fish and chips shops. Coming from an island Ithacans were often keen fishermen and knew how to cook fish expertly. The Ithacan families who set up their businesses were very conscious of the presentation and attractiveness of their venues and some of the added decorative touches often reflected their interests. A black and white photograph of a man serving a customer in his fish and chip shop.

Thaddeus Fairbanks (1796 –1886) was an American inventor. of heating and cook stoves, cast iron ploughs, and other items. His greatest success was the invention and manufacture of the platform scale, which allowed the weighing of large objects accurately. Fairbanks was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1796, the son of Joseph Fairbanks (1763–1846) and Phebe (Paddock) Fairbanks (1760–1853). His uncle was Ephraim Paddock, the brother of Phebe Paddock. In 1815 he moved to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and set up a wheelwright's shop above his father's gristmill. In 1820 he married Lucy Peck Barker and In 1824 he built an iron foundry. his brother Erastus joined him to establish E. and T. Fairbanks, a partnership to manufacture heating stoves, cast iron ploughs a design for which he patented in 1826. In 1830 Fairbanks and Erastus became interested in the raising and processing of hemp. Fairbanks went on to patent a hemp and flax dressing machine and became the manager of the St. Johnsbury Hemp Company. He also built a set of scales that would measure large loads of hemp accurately, as there were no reliable scales at the time. Upon the success of building these scales, his brothers recommended that he make and sell these for general use.  Fairbanks' most famous invention then became the platform scale for weighing heavy objects. These are commonly known as the Fairbanks Scales, for which he patented his original design in 1830.  Before this time, accurate weighing of objects required hanging them from a balancing beam as a result, particularly heavy or ungainly objects could not be weighed accurately. A platform scale, if large enough, could weigh an entire wagon. By placing a full wagon on the scale, unloading it, and then placing it on the scale when empty, it became possible to easily and accurately calculate the weight and value of farm produce and other loads. In 1834 Fairbanks and his brother formed "E. and T. Fairbanks and Company" to manufacture and sell these platform scales. These scales were well known in the United States and around the world resulting in the company doubling in volume every three years from 1842 to 1857. There was a temporary slow down during the American Civil War, however, the business took off again after the war. Their partnership was incorporated in 1874 into a firm known as "Fairbanks Scale Company". These platform scales revolutionized weighing methods of large loads and have been in use ever since. Portable platform scales are found in almost every hardware store, physician's office, and manufacturing factory throughout the United States and the world. The first railway track platform scale patent was granted to Fairbanks on January 13, 1857, as Patent No. 16,381. In 1916 the company was purchased by ”Fairbanks, Morse and Company”. Ownership of the company has since changed several times, but Fairbanks Scales continue to be made in St. Johnsbury Vermont to this day. Fairbanks had received 43 patents in his lifetime with the last one at the age of 91. He died on April 12, 1886, and is buried at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. An early example circa 1900 of the first type of platform scales used in a grocery store. This design for accurately measuring goods that were sold over the counter revolutionised the weighing of goods throughout the world. Platform scale metal black with removable tray & pan. Has horizontal brass arm with a brass slide weight black removable weight hook and 2 x 2 lb. weights. Fairbanksflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.. A set of steel weighing scales with a balance beam that holds 2 brass dishes in which are 7 brass weights. The object/ substance to be weighed is placed in 1 dish and the weights are added to the other dish until the two dishes balance equally on the beam. The base is engraved with '4 lbs' thus indicating that this set will balance up to that weight.scales 4 lbs ( 4 Pounds ) each weight is marked with its weight in Imperial Measure 1 0z = 1 ounce to 4lbmarket gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour

A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . c1900 A set of steel weighing scales with a balance beam that holds 1 large metal dish for the item to be weighed and a smaller tray holding the weights. The object/ substance to be weighed is placed in 1 dish and the weights are added to the other dish until the two dishes balance equally on the beam. The base , balance beam and tray are decorated with a floral pattern Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.Each weight is engraved with Imperial Measure = 2lb, 1lb, 6ozmarket gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour, .

A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights. Gottingen made fine precision scientific scales for use by assayers, jewellers, chemists, gold buyers rtc. A 2 pan analytical, scientific or pharmaceutical beam balance scale made in Gottingen Germany c 1880. These scales are encased in a mahogany framed glass cabinet and Graded 0 -9 9-0D.R.PATENT / GOTTINGER PRAZISIONSWAGENFABRIK G.m.b.H. / GOTTINGEN On upright V over GPW scales, balance, precision measures, gold, pharmacy, precious metals, jewellery, gottingen germany, sartorious f, moorabin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, gold miners, pioneers, market gardeners, ballarat, bendigo, imperial measure, troy weight

Fairway Company Melbourne manufactured this pair of domestic scales with a dish / pan in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed. These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights. A set of domestic scales made by ‘Fairway’ Melbourne c1930. Painted cream steel with 1 metal bowl / pan and Imperial measure weights 2LB, 1LB, 4OZ, 2OZ, 1OZScales ; MADE BY / DOMESTIC SCALES / FAIRWAY / MELBOURNE AUST. Weights ; 2LB, 1LB, 4OZ, 2OZ, 1OZ market gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour

On 2nd July 1955 Warramunga and Arunta became the first RAN Ships to join the force countering communism during The Malayan Emergency. Other ships which served during the emergency were HMA Ships Quickmatch, Queenborough, Anzac, Tobruk, Vampire, Vendetta, Voyager, Melbourne and Quadrant. Some of which took part in Bombardments against the CT's in Johore State.Identified by Barry McKilop ex RANBlack painted metal object with 4 thumb screws adjustments and 2 vernier scales. Mounting has one cut out and 2 screw or pin guide holesParkerdale England Mk VII PH5Agun sight, deck gun

In the photograph a young Nakis Raftopoulos is arranging the fruit display in his father's (Spiro Raftopoulos) shop which was at 250 Johnson Street in Abbotsford. Many Ithacan Greeks who settled in Melbourne opened businesses as it was difficult for non-British immigrants to secure employment in the early years when Ithacans first started arrive. The business were mostly associated with food vending, either cafes, restaurants, oyster bars and sea food shops, or fruit shops, stalls or barrows. They ventured into the food vending business because it was an area the had skills in. Also some of these business didn't require enormous initial capital outlay and provided a springboard for entrepreneurial Ithacans to progress to larger scale businesses. The ownership of businesses by Ithacans assisted the development of chain migration with Ithacan business owners providing employment to relatives who wished to emigrate to Melbourne. A black and white photograph of a young man in a fruit shop. he is arranging apples in a display behind a counter. The photograph has been reproduced and is mounted on board.

These scales are a common type which would have been used in an industrial, farm or produce merchants of the day. many items were sold in bulk with little packaging. With a top weight of 30 lb, items weighed would have been bulky type items.The Avery company manufactured weighing equipment and scales from the 1730's. Scales of many different descriptions were used in sales over the years and these are a good example. These scales are painted black with a circular plate which is slightly dished. it has three chains attached to a metal bar at the top which is serrated and has a counter weight on it. Another attachment to the bar has the hook from which it would hang.The number 1 is on the counter weight.The serrated bar has graduated markings on it in half pound increments up to 30 lb. Avery Ltd to weigh 30 lb is stamped at the end of the bar. warrnambool

Mr Arthur Metzenthen, and his wife Elsie were the owners of the Confectionery Shop at 126 Union Road between Sunbury Crescent and Croydon Road. The 2 storey building was later occupied by a printing business and demolished to make way for Coles Local. The family lived behind and above the actual shop. It had a large backyard where their children played cricket (1927-1942). It is Arthur ‘Metz’, as he was always known by, behind the counter, icecream cone in hand ready to serve icecream. The certificates, behind the jars of sweets, were awarded to him when Empire Day was celebrated for his professionally-dressed window displays. There is an advertisement for Peters ‘Fuzz’. It was yellow in colour and had a slightly different texture from icecream. It was not one of Peters’ success stories. Arthur and Elsie made their own flavoured ice blocks until the event of the icypole. He carried a range of flavourings for his well-known spiders and malted milk drinks - these can be seen in front of the mirror. There is also a hot water urn for making tea and coffee, and an advertisement for Guests biscuits – a few tins on the shelf. These were served, using brown china crockery on glass topped tables (out of the picture on left side). Other items of interest are paper bags, peanuts, snowballs and large clocks of chocolate, scales and the cash register. A ‘halfpenny’ and ‘penny’ trays were kept in the glass display cabinet next to the refrigerator and were the children’s favourite way to spend their pocket money. A black and white photograph of a man standing behind the counter in a confectionary/food/sweet shop. He is wearing a white jacket. There are shelves of jars and tins behind him and a couple of big jars on the counter.Arthur Metzenthen 1933 S. Hillsmr arthur metzenthen, union road, surrey hills, shops, sweet shops, empire day, festivals and celebrations

This instrument measures elevation by sensing minute changes in barometric air pressure relative to a fixed datum point at sea level or a known elevation, such as the starting point of a major town during a road survey, and has an accuracy of +/- 20 feet when used in experienced hands. The finely divided scale around the perimeter of the face is marked from 0 to 6000 feet elevation and 25 to 31 inches of mercury (Hg) for barometric pressure The single fine counter-balanced hand or pointer rotates anti-clockwise with increasing elevation and decreasing pressure. The label "compensated" indicates that the instrument is constructed to compensate for the effect of temperature changes on the accuracy of readings. Surveyor's Pocket Altimeter - Aneroid Barometer Type Branded N H Seward, Melbourne. Made in England. With leather carrying case and strap.forest measurement, forests commission victoria (fcv), surveying

Aerial photos were used to make maps of forest types, timber resources, to survey logging areas and regeneration, to mark boundaries of public land and new plantations, to identify new roads and tracks, as well as for fire suppression. Infrared film was sometimes used to monitor insect and disease attack. The images needed to sharp, with high contrast, and in a large format (most were printed in B&W on 9-inch by 9-inch glossy photographic paper) with at least a 60% overlap to enable stereoscopic viewing and with a 20-30% side lap to allow for aircraft drift. Preferably, the photo scale was close to the final map scale avoid to problems when enlarging and to reduce distortion. Something was needed to supplement the very expensive and infrequent large-area photography programs. From the mid-1960s Victorian foresters began experimenting with small format 70mm and 35mm cameras which proved simple, practical, cheap and flexible. It was found that any SLR camera could be used provided it had a good quality lens and fast shutter speed (preferably down to 1/1000 second). Motorised cameras with a large film capacity had obvious advantages and were essential when access to the camera was not possible during flight. It is also essential for the shutter to operate at low temperatures and those lubricated with silicones were recommended. Components of a typical FCV Divisional Office system included – A Hasselblad or Vinten 70 mm format aerial camera with a focal plane shutter which could be electrically operated. Interchangeable lenses to allow for different photo scales and flying heights. Several large film magazines, which were loaded in a darkroom, each with a capacity of 100 feet or approximately 500 frames. A remote control for the camera in single-shot mode or automatic firing at selected intervals of 2 to 50 seconds. It also needed a frame counter. A light aircraft was modified with an internal mounting for the camera to keep it level and steady. Often a hole was cut through the floor for the lens. The aircraft also needed an inbuilt 12 Volt DC battery to operate the motorised camera shutter. The front passenger seat was generally removed to improve access to the camera. An Aldis drift sight was also fitted. This might be likened to an inverted periscope and is used to determine drift, to facilitate accurate navigation along flight lines and to determine the exposure interval for stereoscopic overlap. This item is kept at Traralgon.Hasselblad 500 ELM camera with 70mm lens, film pack, motor drive and battery In 1964 Hasselblad started production of a motorized camera, the 500 EL The EL/M is a modified version of the EL, "M" means modified, "EL" electric. Perhaps the most famous use of the Hasselblad camera was during the Apollo program missions when man first landed on the Moon. Almost all of the still photographs taken during these missions used modified Hasselblad cameras. forests commission victoria (fcv), forest measurement, surveying, mapping

Aerial photos were used to make maps of forest types, timber resources, to survey logging areas and regeneration, to mark boundaries of public land and new plantations, to identify new roads and tracks, as well as for fire suppression. Infrared film was sometimes used to monitor insect and disease attack. The images needed to sharp, with high contrast, and in a large format (most were printed in B&W on 9-inch by 9-inch glossy photographic paper) with at least a 60% overlap to enable stereoscopic viewing and with a 20-30% side lap to allow for aircraft drift. Preferably, the photo scale was close to the final map scale avoid to problems when enlarging and to reduce distortion. Something was needed to supplement the very expensive and infrequent large-area photography programs. From the mid-1960s Victorian foresters began experimenting with small format 70mm and 35mm cameras which proved simple, practical, cheap and flexible. It was found that any SLR camera could be used provided it had a good quality lens and fast shutter speed (preferably down to 1/1000 second). Motorised cameras with a large film capacity had obvious advantages and were essential when access to the camera was not possible during flight. It is also essential for the shutter to operate at low temperatures and those lubricated with silicones were recommended. Components of a typical FCV Divisional Office system included – A Hasselblad or Vinten 70 mm format aerial camera with a focal plane shutter which could be electrically operated. Interchangeable lenses to allow for different photo scales and flying heights. Several large film magazines, which were loaded in a darkroom, each with a capacity of 100 feet or approximately 500 frames. A remote control for the camera in single-shot mode or automatic firing at selected intervals of 2 to 50 seconds. It also needed a frame counter. A light aircraft was modified with an internal mounting for the camera to keep it level and steady. Often a hole was cut through the floor for the lens. The aircraft also needed an inbuilt 12 Volt DC battery to operate the motorised camera shutter. The front passenger seat was generally removed to improve access to the camera. An Aldis drift sight was also fitted. This might be likened to an inverted periscope and is used to determine drift, to facilitate accurate navigation along flight lines and to determine the exposure interval for stereoscopic overlap. This item was found in storage at the Beechworth museum and its in poor condtionHasselblad 500 ELM camera with 70mm lens, film pack, motor drive and battery In 1964 Hasselblad started production of a motorized camera, the 500 EL The EL/M is a modified version of the EL, "M" means modified, "EL" electric. Perhaps the most famous use of the Hasselblad camera was during the Apollo program missions when man first landed on the Moon. Almost all of the still photographs taken during these missions used modified Hasselblad cameras. forests commission victoria (fcv), forest measurement, surveying, mapping