Weighing machine for infants including scales, cradle, and weights

Made:
1890-1910 in England
maker:
Henry Pooley and Son Limited
Weighing machine for infants

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Weighing machine for infants
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Weighing machine for infants, consisting of red-painted cast iron scales with 4 weights and wicker cradle, weights inscribed Pooley and scales Mellins Food, English, 1890-1910

This weighing machine measured the weight of babies and infants. The child was placed in the wicker basket. Weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights pictured here range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are usually weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth.

The machine weights are made by Liverpool-based Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd. It was a company of mechanical engineers. It also made weighing machines for the railway industry. The base is inscribed with the words ‘Mellin’s Food’. This company made a milk modifier for feeding infants. It used these scales to promote its products.

Details

Category:
Nursing & Hospital Furnishings
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A655834
Materials:
iron (cast) and wickerwork
Measurements:
overall: 420 mm x 800 mm x 310 mm,
type:
baby weigher and counter scales
credit:
Harrod, C.E.

Parts

Wickerwork cradle

Wickerwork cradle

Open wickerwork container, consisting of wickerwork basket on wickerwork frame unsigned, European, 1850-1950

Measurements:
overall: 200 mm x 674 mm x 310 mm, .37 kg
Materials:
complete and wickerwork
Object Number:
A655834 Pt1
type:
cradle
Red painted iron weights

Red painted iron weights

Red-painted 14lb iron weight scale made by Pooley, English, 1890-1910

Measurements:
overall: 77 mm x 156 mm x 98 mm,
Materials:
iron (cast) and complete
Object Number:
A655834 Pt2
type:
weight - scale component
Red painted iron weights

Red painted iron weights

Red-painted 7lb iron weight scale, made by Pooley, English, 1890-1910

Measurements:
overall: 60 mm x 123 mm x 78 mm,
Materials:
iron (cast) and complete
Object Number:
A655834 Pt3
type:
weight - scale component
Red-painted iron weights

Red-painted iron weights

Red-painted 4lb iron weight, made by Pooley, English, 1890-1910

Measurements:
overall: 55 mm x 96 mm x 62 mm,
Materials:
complete and iron (cast)
Object Number:
A655834 Pt4
type:
weight - scale component
Weighing machine for infants

Weighing machine for infants

Weighing machine for infants, red-painted cast iron scales, without weight and cradle (see other parts for rest), inscribed Pooley and scales Mellins Food, unsigned, English, 1890-1910

Measurements:
overall: 280 mm x 540 mm x 208 mm,
Materials:
incomplete and iron
Object Number:
A655834 Pt6
type:
baby weigher