We are delighted to present this curious historical item, a vintage anemometer made by Short & Mason of London, England.
This device was designed to measure air flow in coal mines during the 19th and 20th centuries, and has resonance with local industrial history here in Newcastle upon Tyne. These devices were also used for meteorological purposes.
Short & Mason of London was a renowned manufacturer of scientific and meteorological instruments, famous for making high-quality barometers, compasses, and anemometers.
This fascinating piece comes with an original box made by F. Robson & Co., an optometrists founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1867. F. Robson & Co. initially specialised in crafting precision measuring tools, barographs, barometers, and scientific instruments, and so it is likely that this box was specially designed for one of their own anemometers, later finding its way to house this anemometer by Short & Mason.
How the anemometer works:
Mechanical Vane/Propeller: Airflow pushes against an internal or external revolving vane (windmill mechanism) mounted on sensitive jewelled bearings.
Odometer-Style Dials: The rotation of the vanes turns a gear train linked to multiple small dials on the face (typically indicating hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of linear feet or metres).
Calculation: To find the air velocity, you hold the device in an air stream for a set time (usually one minute), read the total distance the dials traveled, and divide by the time.
Collection and viewings at our shop, 1 Stepney Road, Newcastle, NE1 2PZ
National shipping available, with exceptions of islands and remote parts of Scotland, please contact us for shipping to these locations.
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