Search the collections
Weights & Measures at Melbourne Observatory
Image: Metric mass measures (c. 1865), Troughton & Simms
Source: Museum Victoria
From its inception the Melbourne Observatory had sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weight and measure in the colony could be compared to these primary standards.
The measures were kept in the basement to reduce the effects of changes in temperature, but even so, special calculations had to be made to allow for the expansion and contraction of the metal in the standard yard. The standard yard was set up in a machine fitted with microscopes, so that exact comparisons could be made of two measures. In 1876 a permanent chain standard was erected in the Observatory grounds, to enable the ready testing of surveyor's and engineer's chain lengths.
A Weights & Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s, each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test the scales, weights and measures used by factories and shops. Every ten years the councils' standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian standards.
This checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, the weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, and the weights and measures and testing equipment installed on slate and granite benches. Because the large room had large whirling apparatus for testing air meters, it was always known as the Whirling Room.
When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue this area of the Observatory's work, and this branch remained at the Observatory site until 1995.
References:
Proctor, S.J. (1983). Weights and Measures in Victoria: A History and Survey, Glen Waverley: S.J. Proctor.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 50) 370 items
-
No Image Available
Glass Positive - Star Cluster, Melbourne Observatory, 1891
Test photo presumably taken with the newly erected Astrograph telescope at Melbourne Observatory.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Standard Length - Yard, A.D. Potter, London, 1864
Standard brass yard, made by A.D. Potter, London, expressly for the Melbourne Observatory, 1864. Used at Melbourne Observatory as the secondary standard yard for Victoria.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Standard Length - Yard, Troughton & Simms, Primary Standard, Victoria, 1855
Standard yard made by Troughton & Simms, London, 1855. Parliamentary copy No. 34 of the British standard yard of 1854. Bronze bar in wooden case. The yard is measured between fine lines ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 4 -
Digital Image - View of Melbourne Observatory, circa 1900
Image of Melbourne Observatiory, reproduced on a postcard, circa 1900. It depicts the main building, with the Astrograph House on the right.
Images: 1 -
Technical Report - Count Von Zeppelin's Dirigible Air Ship, 1901
A summary technical report on the first rigid airship built at Lake Constance by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. It is an extract from the Smithsonian Report for 1899, pp563-565. This cop ...
Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Technical Report - Major B. Baden-Powell, Progress With Air Ships, 1904
A short summary of work on airship design up to 1903 by Major Baden F.S. Baden-Powell (1860-1937) of the Scots Guards. This copy was originally received by the Melbourne Observatory and ...
Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Technical Report - S.P. Langley, Stories of Experiments in Mechanical Flight, 1898
A short summary of work on the design of heavier than air flying machines up to 1897 by Samuel Pierpont Langley. This copy was originally received by the Melbourne Observatory and held ...
Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Technical Report - The Langley Aerodrome, 1901
A summary of work on the design of the Aerodrome, a heavier than air flying machine built by Samuel Pierpont Langley. This copy was originally received by the Melbourne Observatory and ...
Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Technical Paper - E.C. Huffaker & S.P. Langley, On Soaring Flight, 1898
Summary of experiments in non-powered flight by E.C Huffaker with an introduction by Samuel Pierpont Langley. This copy was originally received by the Melbourne Observatory and held as ...
Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Technical Report - Graham Bell's Tetrahedral Kites, 1904
Summary report with four photographic illustrations of Alexander Graham Bell's experimental kites. It is an extract from the Smithsonian Report for 1903, pp183-185. The copy was origina ...
Images: 0 -
Glass Plate Box - Plate Carrier, Great Melbourne Telescope, 1870s
Wooden box used for carrying glass photographic plates and their holders for the Great Melbourne Telescope at the Melbourne Observatory, 1870s.
Images: 1 -
Hood - South Collimator, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1880s
Hood for the South Collimator Field Lens at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1880s. The South Collimator was erected some distance south on the meridian line of the 8 inch transit telescope ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Melbourne Observatory House, South Yarra, Victoria, 1935
View of Melbourne Observatory House, the residence of the Victorian Government Astronomer, 1935. Photograph taken by Rolf Baldwin, son of the third Government Astronomer, Joseph Baldwi ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Melbourne Observatory House, South Yarra, Victoria, 1935
View of Melbourne Observatory House, the residence of the Victorian Government Astronomer, 1935. Photograph taken by Rolf Baldwin, son of the third Government Astronomer, Joseph Baldwi ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - View of Buildings at Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, circa 1937
View of the main building at Melbourne Observatory, taken from the southeast. From the left, the buildings visible are the Astrograph House, rear of main building, 8 inch transit house, ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Manna Gum, Grounds of Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, 1933
Photograph of the grounds of Melbourne Observatory, taken by Rolf Baldwin, son of the third Government Astronomer, Joseph Baldwin, 1933.
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Great Melbourne Telescope, Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, circa 1875
Photograph of the Great Melbourne Telescope House at Melbourne Observatory, by Charles Nettleton, circa 1875. The photograph has been taken from the roof of the main Melbourne Observa ...
Images: 2 -
No Image Available
Clock Suspension Springs
Clock suspension spring from Melbourne Observatory workshop, to be used for repairs on clocks if required. 6 thicknesses of spring in marked envelopes: 0.0015, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.0 ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Thermometer - Fahrenheit, Grimoldi
Fahrenheit thermometer, made by Grimoldi, Melbourne. Range +20 to 120 degrees. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Photograph - Orion Nebula, Taken with the Great Melbourne Telescope, Victoria, 26 Feb 1883
Photograph of Orion Nebula, taken by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 26 Feb 1883, with an exposure of 4 minutes.
Images: 2 -
Photograph - K Crucis, Taken With The Great Melbourne Telescope, Victoria, 3 Mar 1883
Photograph of the Kappa Crucis Cluster, named the 'Jewel Box', in the constellation of Crux. Photograph taken by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope on March 3 1883, with a ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - 'Absolute House', Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, circa 1935
Photograph of the Absolute House at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1935. Built in 1861 the Absolute House measured geomagnetic elements along with the Differential House. Photograph take ...
Images: 2 -
Digital Image - Melbourne Observatory Staff, circa 1895
Group portrait of staff at Melbourne Observatory, in front of the East Transit Room, circa 1895. Government Astronomer Robert Ellery retired in 1895, and was replaced by Pietro Baracch ...
Images: 1 -
Standard Volume - Gallon, Primary Standard, Victoria, 1864
Primary standard gallon for Victoria, 1864. The measure has two handles, a strike disc and is housed in a wooden box. It was originally used by the Customs Department as the Imperial st ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Standard Weight - Pound, Avoirdupois, Primary Standard, Victoria, 1864
Platinum iridium pound weight, avoirdupois. Primary standard pound weight for Victoria, 1864. The weight was initially held by the Victorian Customs & Excise Department at the Customs ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Tide Gauge Clock - J. Newman, London
Pendulum clock, made by J. Newman, London. Used to drive the recording apparatus of a self-registering tide-gauge [registered as ST 29815], which was erected at Williamstown by the Harb ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Chronograph - Melbourne Observatory, 1870s
Chronograph from Melbourne Observatory, designed by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery and built at the observatory workshop in the 1860s or 1870s. This was one of several chronograp ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Standard Weight - Troy Pound, British Parliamentary Copy No 29, 1844
Standard Troy pound, Parliamentary Copy of the British Standard Pound, no. 29, 1844. Used as a primary standard for the Colony of Victoria. The standard pound was placed in the custody ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
No Image Available
Standard Weight - Troy Pound, Primary Standard, Victoria, 1864
Platinum iridium troy pound weight. Primary standard pound weight for Victoria, 1864. The weight was initially held by the Victorian Customs & Excise Department at the Customs House in ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Plan - Transit Room, Melbourne Observatory, 1861
Plan from the Melbourne Observatory drawn on off-white paper in black ink showing the West Elevation of the First Transit Room, completed in 1863.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Bar Magnets
Bar magnets used at Melbourne Observatory to remagnetize dip needles, for measurement of geomagnetism. In a mahogany case.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Standard Weights - Imperial, 0.01 Grains to 1 Pound, Troughton & Simms, circa 1865
Set of standard grain weights, gilt brass and platinum wire weights in wooden box. Made by Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1865. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 4 -
Standard Weights - Metric, 0.01 Grams to 1 Kilogram, Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1865
Set of standard metric weights, gilt brass and platinum wire in wooden box. Made by Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1865. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 7 -
Projector - W. C. Hughes, Magic Lantern, circa 1890
Lantern slide projector made by William Charles Hughes, London, circa 1890, and used at Melbourne Observatory. W.C. Hughes was an optician as well as a designer, manufacturer and retai ...
From: Kingsland, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Negative - Dine's Suction Anemometer, Melbourne Observatory
This Dine's pressure tube anemometer was erected on a 40 foot tower at Melbourne Observatiory in 1906.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Whirling Room, Melbourne Observatory
Interior of the Whirling Room, erected at Melbourne Observatory in 1905, at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House. The whirling machine in the centre was used to test air ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Tape Chronograph & Relays, Melbourne Observatory
Recording equipment in West Transit Room, Melbourne Observatory, including Siemen's and Halse tape chronograph, switch board and relays.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Total Force Needles
Pair of total force needles, 9 cm long, each with three weights, in a wooden box and zinc case. Needles marked '3A and B', '4A and B'. Used at Melbourne Observatory to measure changes i ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
Seismoscope
Seismoscope used at Melbourne Observatory. This is a vibration instrument for indicating earthquake, tremors etc.. It detects an earthquake but does not record it.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Dines Suction Anemometer, Melbourne Observatory
connected to 50' tower, Old Melbourne ASTRONOMY INSTRUMENTS AND OBSERVATORIES DINES SUCTION ANEMOMETER
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, post 1892
View of Main Building of Melbourne Observatory. The presence of the Computing Room to the left of the dome dates the photograph to 1892 or later.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Compass - Liquid Prismatic, Carl Bamberg
Liquid Primastic compass made by Carl Bamberg, Berlin, No. 1429, and used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Berlin, Germany Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Thermometer - Centigrade, Adie
Centigrade thermometer by Adie, London, No. 734273. Range 0 to 50 degrees C. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Negative - Equatorial House & Photoheliograph House, Melbourne Observatory
8 inch equatorial house and photoheliograph house at Melbourne Observatory, from the north-east.
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, 1969
Main observatory building, Melbourne Observatory
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Coelostat - Paul Garnier
Coelostat made by Paul Garnier, Paris, and used at Melbourne Observatory. A coelostat reflects continuously the same region of the sky into the field of view of a fixed telescope. A mi ...
From: Paris, France Images: 0 -
Negative - Stevenson Thermometer Screen, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1879
Stevenson thermometer screen erected at Melbourne Observatory. Chain standard, erected in 1876, and tower of Government House visible in background. This photograph was possibly taken i ...
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Thermometer - Fahrenheit, Grimoldi
Fahrenheit thermometer, by Grimoldi, Melbourne. Range +20 to 120 degrees. Used at Melbourne Observatory.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Negative - Timeball Tower, Williamstown
The timeball tower at Williamstown. A telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory at precisely 1pm each day lowered the brass ball. This allowed ships in Hobson's Bay to correct their c ...
From: Williamstown, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Main Building, Melbourne Observatory, 1969
Main Building, Melbourne Observatory
From: South Yarra, Australia Images: 1
