Rabone & Sons had its origins in Birmingham, as rule and tool makers. The business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It worked under the name of John Rabone & Sons c1784-1953, becoming a public company in 1948. Control of the business remained with the Rabone family until 1962. In 1963 the company merged with a toolmaker from Sheffield to become Rabone Chesterman. The name E. M. Lock has been carved into the leather on one side. Edith May Lock was the mother of Arthur Lock who served in the 2/23 RD Australian Infantry Battalion, known as "Albury's Own".This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A retractable wire measuring tape with leather casing and brass centre and winding handle. The tape is 66 feet in length. The manufacture's name, John Rabone & Sons, is inscribed around the centre circle as well as the Number 401 and 66FTAround centre circle "JOHN RABONE & SONS/BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND". In the centre "NO401 66FT" On opposite side around centre circle "RABONE'S METALLIC WIRED TAPE". Engraved into the surface "E.M.Lock"world war 11, john rabone and sons, wired measuring tape

Lost on maiden voyage 40 miles from Cape Otway. A brass measuring tape recovered from the wreck of the Shombergclippers, schomberg, measuring tape

A retractable tape measure inside a cream disc. On the front of the tape measure is a round red sticker. In the middle of the sticker is a red button for retracting tape measure. Eyelets are placed at every number between 0 and 10, then at 10 centimeter intervals. 1 white measuring tape with red markings and numbers including tactile raised eyelets inside cream round containerRotary 1.5 Futuba Measureassistive devices, rotary

8681.1 - Metal measuring tape.

60 inch linen measuring tapeDean Linen Made in England

This stock measurer would have been used on a farm during the first half of the 20th century. A similar item with decimal measurements may perhaps be used today though mechanized weighing machines are now available. This stock tape measure has no known local significance but it is an interesting item and has its place in the history of agriculture in the district. It will be useful for display. This is a glassfibre measuring tape (imperial measure) in a circular brass holder. The tape has a metal clip at the end. The tape is yellow on one side (measuring weight of pigs) and red on the other side (measuring weight of cattle). The holder has a winding mechanism on the top attached by a brass screw. There is a knob on the winder to hold while turning the winder to bring out the tape to the measurement required and to retract it back into the holder. The holder has a black ridged pattern around the sides. The maker’s marks are etched into the back of the container and printed on the tape. ‘We –Bo’ ‘Comb Maal” On tape: ‘We-Bo Made in Denmark’ ‘Live weight of pigs in lbs in relation to chest-measure in inches’ ‘Live weight of cattle in lbs in relation to chest-measure in inches’ stock tape measure, history of warrnambool, agricultural history

Wooden expandable tape measure. measuring instruments, tape measures

Catalogue of hand tools - screwdrivers, planes, hammers, knives, spirit levels, hacksaws, measuring tapes, gardening tools, lawn mowers, with price list.Printed Catalogue of hand tools.turner industries, lawnmowers, tools

At an unidentified event, a member of the Joint Action Team staffs a Flexibility Testing stand. Using a measuring tape, she measures the distance between a woman's ear and shoulder.B&W photo of a woman using a measuring tape to measure the distance between another woman's ear and shoulder. Behind them is a display board with the words "Flexibility testing", "Arthritis Foundation of Victoria", the telephone number "862 2555", and various sketch drawings with corresponding text.arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, joint action team, jag, flexibility testing, joint health, muscle health, muscle tension, mobility, movement, assessment, measurement

These steel Surveying measuring tapes were used by members of the Royal Australian Survey Corps (surveyors and chainmen) for simple short length measurements between points..1 A 100m steel Surveying measuring tape rolled in a green canvass cover. The tape is 3mm in width. The first 3m replaces a broken section with yellow and red tape. .2 Green Canvas cover to hold the rolled-up steel tape.Labelled "R.REES"royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt

This tape measure is designed to indicate measurements by feel. The 150cm tape is marked by small eyelets at every cm, medium eyelets at 5 cm and two eyelets at every 10cm. 1 white measuring tape with black markings and numbers including tactile raised eyeletsassistive devices, recreation

This flexible measuring tape was used by the SEC Victoria in the mid to late 1900's. It was in a period before digital measuring instruments were in use. This is a 33ft long tape measure and would have been used by the construction workers when building the Kiewa Valley Hydro System. The warning details (embossed into the leather covering) was to warn users to be careful not to use the tape near live electricity terminals or linkages. This tape was produced mainly for wooden structures and not electricity conductive material. This was during the 1950's to 1960's.This imperial tape measure is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it was used in the construction of the Kiewa Valley Hydro Scheme of the 1950's-1960's. It provides evidence that small measuring equipment used in the construction and the continuing maintenance of the scheme was of the imperial measure and used by construction workers who remained and settled in the town of Mount Beauty and Kiewa Valley long after the construction period. This flexible metallic measuring tape (33 ft in length) is contained in a round circular leather bound container. It has brass fittings (winder and tape guide) and is stitched with heavy grade twine. The tape measure is graduated in feet and inches on one side and yards on the other. Embossed in the leather casing"MADE IN ENGLAND" and around the inner circle "HOCKLEY ABBEY" and "JOHN RABONE & SONS"imperial tape measure, distance measures, imperial tools

Tape measure was donated by donor's niece. It had belonged to her uncle Philip BennetSilver tape measure by Turner, Lufkin and Mezurall. Retractable. Imperial measure.Turner, Lufkinhandcrafts, dressmaking, buildings, fittings

Linen Measuring Tape (Imperial) in leather covered case with winding handle on one sidestawell

This tape measure was probably produced for, and used by, tradesmen such as carpenters and builders. In 1821 James Chesterman patented a tape measure that used a spring for rewinding the tape and the makers of large tape measures have used this method for nearly 200 years now. This item has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting example of a common household and industrial item from the past but one which in an updated version is still in use today.This is a metal tape measure (in inches) enclosed in a circular-shaped leather covering. In the centre of the leather cover is a metal mechanism for rewinding the tape. The tape has a metal ring at its end. The leather is very rubbed and the tape is rusty. There is printing embossed on both sides of the leather cover. ‘Chesterman Ltd Sheffield England’ ‘66 ft’household items warrnambool

c1880 This tiny tape measure, in Imperial measurements, was part of a Victorian era lady's sewing basket. The case is of polished timber, and the little winder, to retract the tape, is made of brass with a small ivory handleEarly settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant producing their own food and making their farm equipment and clothing. The women of these families were skilful in all craftwork.c1880 this tiny, retractable, tape measure, in Imperial measure, is made of polished timber with a brass winder and ivory handle. Imperial ‘inch’ measurements on tape dressmaking, tape measure, sewing, craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh cheltenham

Carpenter's Tape Measure in leather case.trades, carpentry

White tape measure with black printing in Inches.tape measures

A chain is a unit of length equal to 66 feet or 22 yards. This is a statute measure in the United Kingdom. One link is 100th part of a chain, which is 7.92 inches (20.1 cm). The chain and link became standard surveyors' units of length and crossed to the colonies from the United Kingdom. The chain is the unit of linear measurement for the survey of the public lands as prescribed by law. In Australia most building lots in the past were a quarter of an acre, measuring one chain by two and a half chains. Also street frontages, roads, laneways. The chain also survives as the length of a cricket pitch, being the distance between the stumps. Surveyors and residents of the Kiewa Valley used the Steel Band Surveyors Chain to measure distances when developing the land.Surveyors' steel band measuring tape, known as a 'standard band', or a 'steel band chain'.This chain consists of a long narrow strip of steel of uniform width of 3 mm and thickness of 0.3 to 0.6 mm. The chain itself is between 20 m and 30 m long.surveyors, surveyors chain, measurement of distance

The table was used in the Charing Cross Infant Welfare Centre. The Maternal and Child Health Service (Infant Welfare) began in Victoria in 1917 when, in response to high levels of infant morbidity and mortality, the first voluntary Infant Welfare Centres began to emerge. The first centres were established in Richmond and Carlton and received a Council subsidy.A table with an open box fixed to the top it 100 centimetres long 55 centimetres wide with 14 centimetre sides. The table was used to measure the length of babies to record growth. One end is shaped the fit a baby's head when it is lying on the table, the other end slides to the baby's feet. There is a 90 centimetre measuring tape fixed on to the table top.charing cross infant welfare, infant measuring table

A tape measure on a reel contained in a leather circular case with a brass winding mechanism.Embossed makers details on leather case, serial number engraved on brass winder.j. rabone & sons

Edith (Alice) Watson (1914–2010) studied at the Ballarat Technical Art School, at the School of Mines Ballarat, from 1930 until 1933. Watson was warmly regarded in her home town, Murtoa, easily winning local fundraiser, ‘Most Popular Girl’ in 1936. Upon graduating, Watson taught at the Murtoa High School, living with her parents until their deaths 1972 and 1988. Watson was 74 years old. Alice Watson died in Ballarat, aged 95, having conserved her beautiful student folio. Alice's comprehensive folio of Ballarat Technical Art School work is held by the University's Geoffrey Blainey Research Centre.A cardboard box containing items used by Alice Watson to produce paintings. The items included are: tubes of oil colour; two paint palettes; paint brushes; imperial measure tape measure; pencils; an erasure; two pencil sharpeners; a roll of brown, gummed tape; small, round container of various pins; a State Savings Bank Victoria ruler; and a collection of scraps of artists paper held together with a metal clip which includes a list of paint colour names and a design tracing of a fuschia. There is a small, plywood, stretching board. alice watson, edith alice watson, ballarat school of mines, artists workbook, ballarat technical art school, paint, oil paint

Tin tape measure in circular-shaped brass covering. Has a metal ring at the end. rusty. tape measures, measuring instruments

Wooden stand with an upright tape measure in inches. Movable metal rung and metal ring on top. Pincushion placed on wooden base.Made In Englandhandcrafts, dressmaking

The Sound Scriber Dictaphone allowed recordings to be imprinted into a soft disk that could then be replayed later. This was useful for blind stenographers who could transcribe the audio recording. The lid contains a speaker into which sounds are made, the front knob is allows for 'Talk' or 'Listen' and three other dials on the device allow for the tubes to be turned on/off, starting/stopping the turntable and the recording volume to be 'Dictation' or 'Conf". There are two measuring tapes placed near the recording head and the Listen head, which show the minutes in the recording. The large disk that is placed on this machine has been stopped at the 12 minute mark. At the rear of the device are two plugs, one of which is for electrical supply. This model of dicta phone remained popular until magnetic tapes.1 hinged leather case over a metal and wood machineSound Scriberaudio equipment, assistive devices

A 'Lawn Tennis Measure' retractable tape in circular brass housing. Brass winding handle attached to centre of housing. Housing engraved with instructions and measurements for a standard lawn tennis court. Materials: Brass/Metal composite, Cloth tapetennis

May have been made for the apron exhibition Small black & white apron . Yellow tape measures along top of pocket and hem of apron. Pair of scissors attached with a red cord. domestic life

This item predates the change of Imperial measure (England -1824) to decimal measure (Europe) in Australia (1970 to 1988). This item was manufactured in England as, was the majority of measuring tool and equipment. It was not until the late 1950s that other countries e.g. United States and Europe provided the same type of manufactured tools for the Australian market. World War II, when Australia had to defend its own boarders that the political push for self sufficiency of manufactured goods started local production. Workers in the Kiewa Valley had always relied on the high quality of tools and manufactured goods coming from England. From the middle to late 1950s migration by skilled workers from a war torn Europe provided the source of manpower for the expansion of the manufacturing industries in Australia.The requirement of an accurate measuring tool has always been critical. This item was used at the time when Australia was using the British Imperial measurements. Accurate measurements by carpenters and other trades people for both town and rural needs was just as critical as for the larger cities. The transition period from Imperial to metric was a period of over four years but it still presented those who had used the Imperial measurements for a longer period in their trades with a dual system of measurement for a longer time(usually up to their retirement) Other nations still using Imperial measurements kept the transition from Imperial to metric alive (the UK and USA still uses Imperial measurements in 2012)Retractable metallic wired tape measure within a leather casing. Length of tape is 66 feet. Brass fittings on casing(winder and back plate)Tape on one side marked in inches and feet and on the other in links. Winder lever marked "66ft No 401" on front and arrow with"wind this way". Leather cover marked "John R A Bone & Sons Birmingham England" on reverse side "Metallic wired tape R A Bone & Sons"wired tape measure, tool, mobile tool, construction tool