Historical information

Lamson was established in Australia in 1898 with the idea for a store security money handling system being patented in the latter part of the 19th century.The practise of taking money from the counter and customer to the cashier was time consuming and cumbersome.Some bright ideas were employed including tying the money and dockets in a hankerchief and throwing it to the cashier. The first attempt to improve this was the ball system where a ball containing the cash was rolled to the cashier on an elevated track. The rapid wire system superseded this in the early 1900's and for the next 50 years it became a popular part of money handling in stores around Australia. This particular Lamson's cash carrier was installed in Youngers department store which was situated in Liebig Street. The success of Youngers store was partly responsible for the shift to Liebig St as the main commercial district. The Warrnambool Standard reported in 1901 that Younger and Co would operate on a wholly cash basis replacing incidental trades of goods such as potatoes and other farm produce.

Significance

This item has strong social and historical significance. Apart from having strong links to one of Warrnambool's largest and longest running businesses, the object itself is of considerable interest with thousands of the original ball systems and Rapid Wire cash carriers being in use around the world.

Physical description

Cylindrical brass top with central circular part with section either side which have two small pulleys. A wooden cylindrical section slots in below with a wire clip attached at the bottom.

Inscriptions & markings

Lamson is cast into the brass on either side of therim of the top circular section. . AUS is on the side of this same section.