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 31 - 40) 370 items
-
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
