Weighing machine for infants including scales, cradle, and weights

Weighing machine for infants

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

Weighing scales for infants, consisting of red-painted cast iron scales marked with the words Mellin’s Food, a wicker cradle and four different sized weights marked with the word Pooley, English, 1890-1910.

These weighing scales were made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in the wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

The base of the scales is inscribed with the words ‘Mellin’s Food’. This was a powder of wheat bran and malted barley, which was advertised as the “perfect substitute for mother’s milk” and was extremely popular both in Britain and the United States. Such false claims are symbolic of the long-running tension between the commercial interests of such manufacturers and those promoting the health and nutritional benefits of breast milk.

The weights were made by Liverpool-based Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd. They were a mechanical engineering company who also made weighing machines for the railway industry.

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 basket, part of a set of weighing scales for babies and infants, English, 1890-1910

More

This basket is part of a set of weighing scales were made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in the wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

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 , part of a set of weighing scales for babies and infants, scale made by Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd, English, 1890-1910.

More

This weight is part of a set of weighing scales were made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in a wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

The weight was made by Liverpool-based Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd. They were a mechanical engineering company who also made weighing machines for the railway industry.

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, part of a set of weighing scales for babies and infants, scale made by Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd, English, 1890-1910.

More

This weight is part of a set of weighing scales were made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in a wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

The weight was made by Liverpool-based Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd. They were a mechanical engineering company who also made weighing machines for the railway industry.

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, part of a set of weighing scales for babies and infants, scale made by Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd, English, 1890-1910.

More

This weight is part of a set of weighing scales were made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in a wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

The weight was made by Liverpool-based Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd. They were a mechanical engineering company who also made weighing machines for the railway industry.

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

Iron weight

Red-painted 2lb iron weight, part of a set of weighing scales for babies and infants, scale made by Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd, English, 1890-1910.

More

This weight is part of a set of weighing scales were made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in a wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

The weight was made by Liverpool-based Henry Pooley and Sons Ltd. They were a mechanical engineering company who also made weighing machines for the railway industry.

Measurements:
overall: 44 mm x 76 mm x 46 mm,
Materials:
complete and iron (cast)
Object Number:
A655834 Pt5
type:
weight - scale component
Weighing machine for infants

Weighing machine for infants

Weighing machine for infants, red-painted cast iron scales, without weights and basket cradle (see other parts), inscribedwith the words Mellin's Food, English, 1890-1910

More

These weighing scales are part of a set that was made to measure the weights of babies and infants. The child was placed in the wicker basket and weights were added to the pan to make the balance level. The weights range from 2lb (just under 1kg) to 14lb (approximately 6.5kg). Babies are ideally weighed regularly after they are born to monitor their growth, a practice that was being increasingly encouraged around the beginning of the 20th century.

The base of the scales is inscribed with the words ‘Mellin’s Food’. This was a powder of wheat bran and malted barley, which was advertised as the “perfect substitute for mother’s milk” and was extremely popular both in Britain and the United States. Such false claims are symbolic of the long-running tension between the commercial interests of such manufacturers and those promoting the health and nutritional benefits of breast milk.

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