Jelly strength tester made by H. Hughes and Son Ltd
- Made:
- 1920-1947 in Forest Gate
- maker:
- Henry Hughes and Son Limited
Jelly strength tester made by H. Hughes and Son Ltd, Forest Gate, London, United Kingdom, in original case, c. 1930s. It was used at the Bard Brothers, jelly manufacturers, factory, 512a Romford Road, London.
The first instrument designed specifically for quality control in food manufacture was, perhaps surprisingly, to test the consistency of fruit jelly. Devised by a German chemist in 1861, the jelly puncture test was soon followed by a series of improved jelly strength testers, as they became called. Driven by the practical concerns of the food industry, jelly testing led to a new field in chemistry concerned with investigating the properties of gelatinous substances.
This example was used at an East London confectionery factory, Bard Brothers, which in the mid-20th century was one of Britain’s leading suppliers of fruit jelly.
Details
- Category:
- Experimental Chemistry
- Object Number:
- 2019-483
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
- type:
- balance
- credit:
- Dennis Little