Measurement Collection (page 33)

HARRISONs NO 5
Harrisons number 5 timekeeper or chronometer for finding longitude (an improved version of the number 4). Date: circa 1760

Boyles hydrostatic apparatus for weighing materia medica 1691

Researcher measuring bat trapped by harp trap for conservation studies, Italy

Thermometer on garden surface to measure ground temperature, Cumbria, England, august

Bird conservation, measuring length of Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) wing, Rye Meads RSPB Reserve, Hertfordshire, England, spring

Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) adult, with herpetologist measuring head height during field study, Italy, september

Fingerprint biometrics. Computer artwork of a hand (green), a finger tip (upper left), and symbols of men (blue) and women (pink). Fingerprints are the patterns of ridges on the tips of the fingers

Metrology gauge room. Researchers working with high-precision gauges in a metrology (measurements) laboratory. Photographed in the Metrology Division at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington

Testing thermometers, 1918
Testing thermometers. Several thermometers are being analysed simultaneously using laboratory testing equipment. The thermometers (centre)

Materials science laboratory, 1953
Materials science laboratory. Laboratory technicians analysing and adjusting the equipment in a materials science laboratory

Testing a barometer. Laboratory technician analysing a barometer using testing equipment. The barometer (right) is used to measure atmospheric pressure and forecast the weather

Dilatometer-comparator apparatus. This apparatus is used to calibrate standard measurements. This is a 1-metre dilatometer-comparator

Testing thermometers, 1920s
Testing thermometers. Laboratory technicians analysing thermometers using testing equipment. The thermometers are lowered into an electrically heated water bath (not seen)

Mass balance. Researcher using a high-precision mass balance in a standards laboratory. Photographed in the Standards Division at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

Wheatstone bridge. This device is used to measure an unknown electrical resistance in a bridge circuit. It was invented by Samuel Hunter Christie in 1833

Caesium atomic clock, 1956
Caesium atomic clock. Physicists Jack Parry (left) and Louis Essen (right) adjusting their caesium resonator, which they developed in 1955

Mekometre surveying, 1967
Mekometre surveying. Surveyor using a mekometre, an instrument used to measure long distances at extremely high resolution

One-metre interference comparator, 1963
One-metre interference comparator. Researchers using the interference comparator to determine the exact length of a metre using microwaves

Illustration (1515) of a gager
Illustration showing a gager at work. The gager (or gauger) was an early type of weights and measures official. His job was to tell people how much a cask or barrel would contain

Mercury steam pressure gauge. Artwork of a steam pressure gauge based on a mercury manometer design. The manual valve (left) was used to open the gauge to the steam in the engine

Graduated cylinder. Increments on a measuring cylinder

Testing taxi meters, 1920s
Testing taxi meters. Researchers assessing the reliability of taxi meters in calculating the correct fare. These taxi meters were first invented by the German Wilhelm Bruhn in 1891

Caesium atomic clock readings. A caesium atomic clock contains atoms of vapourised caesium-133 that pass back and forth between magnets at each end of the clock

Caesium atomic clock. In this clock, atoms of vapourised caesium-133 oscillate between two energy levels as they pass back and forth between magnets at each end of the resonator (long cylinder)

Deadweight machine, 1953
Deadweight machine. This is a 50-ton deadweight machine using the standard ton. Deadweight machines use large weights of a high accuracy, and are used to calibrate other weights

Molten steel temperature measurements. Quick immersion thermocouple being used to measure the temperature of liquid steel in an electric-arc furnace

Sundial, RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon, UK
Garden sundial. This sundial is used to measure time by the position of the sun. The shadow cast on the dial face points to indicate the hour of the day

Tychos great brass globe. Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) was a Danish astronomer. This celestial globe was one of the instruments at Tychos observatory at Uraniborg, on the island of Hven

Astronomical sextant. Historical artwork of Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687) and his wife Elisabetha (1647-1693) observing with a sextant designed by Johannes in about 1658

Astronomical instrument. Historical artwork of an altazimuth instrument, which also houses a telescope. Altazimuths are used to measure altitude and azimuth

Astronomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic. This astronomical dial dates back to 1410 and displays three different sets of time; central European time, old Bohemian time and Babylonian time

Healthy kidney measured, ultrasound scan
Healthy kidney measured. Coloured ultrasound scan showing the measurement of a normal adult kidney. This kidney (dark blue)

Supernova neutrino detector. Tunnel A at the Gran Sasso Laboratories in Abruzzo, Italy. In 2003, this tunnel system is the largest underground laboratory for particle astrophysics in the world

Photomultiplier tube (PMT) held by technician Giuseppe Dipietro of the Gran Sasso Laboratory. 2200 PMTs are incorporated into the Borexino neutrino detector (not seen)

Dark matter detector. Technician Cristina Cozzini of the Gran Sasso Laboratory holding a sapphire crystal encased in copper

Lead for neutrino detector shield. Technician Carlo Bucci of the Gran Sasso Laboratory holding a bar of ancient Roman lead weighing more than 30 kilograms

Technician testing a panels sound reflection
Acoustics test. Technician holds a microphone behind a plexiglass panel to test its sound reflective properties. Sound is being broadcast at the front of the panel

Technician measures noise levels in a coal mine
MODEL RELEASED. Coal mine. Technician measures the noise levels produced by machinery at a coal face in a mine. The mine workers are wearing ear defenders to protect their hearing from the noise

Quality control engineer measuring a machine part

Electric circuit. Capacitor (blue, lower centre) connected to an alternating current (AC) power supply (orange, left). This type of supply operates with the electrical current flowing back

Microwave emission test. Computer screen display of the output of a test to detect microwave emissions from electrical objects. This device has many applications in electrical engineering

Theodolite. A theodolite is an engineering instrument used for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles

Measuring electric voltage. Circuit diagram showing the arrangement of equipment used to measure the voltage (potential difference) in an electrical circuit

Measuring electric current. Circuit diagram showing the arrangement of equipment used to measure electric current flowing through a component. The components are represented by standard symbols

Radiation measurements, 1948
Radiation measurements. Researcher (right) using a Geiger Mueller gamma ray counter to measure the radiation levels in a test subject (left)

Radon measurements, 1948
Radon measurements. Researcher using an alpha-particle ionisation method to measure the radon content of breath samples. Radon is a radioactive gas found in nature

Oil crisis. Conceptual computer artwork of barrels of oil. International consumption of oil is increasing and, according to experts, it will reach a peak at around 2010

EcoMeter current sensor in a fuse box. This household has been installed with an EcoMeter, a device that can keep track of energy use by monitoring gas, water

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"Measuring Time: From Ancient Sundials to Modern Calculators" Step into the world of measurement, where time is captured and recorded in various forms. Explore the intricate craftsmanship of a Lantern Clock Tompion, its delicate hands ticking away centuries-old moments. Marvel at the precision of a Bracket Clock Tompion, an exquisite piece that stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Innovation takes center stage with the invention of the tape recorder, revolutionizing how we capture sound and preserve memories for generations to come. Delve into history as you uncover the inner workings of a Clock Mechanism from 1737 or witness a skilled Watchmaker meticulously crafting timepieces. Temperature finds its measure through advancements like the Mercury thermometer, providing accurate readings that shape our understanding of heat and cold. Discover tranquility in a sundial on slate inscribed with "Noiseless falls the foot of time that only treads on flowers, " transporting you back to 1905 in Little Hall, Lavenham. The Metric System emerges as an international language for measurement, simplifying calculations across borders and fostering global unity. Witness ancient wisdom unfold with a Chinese Abacus from 1814 or marvel at M. I. T. 's Calculator from the 1930s—a symbol of progress in computation. Journey through celestial realms with an Astronomical Clock from 1833—an intricate fusion of artistry and science guiding us through cosmic cycles. Finally, explore another clock mechanism from 1882—each cog representing countless hours spent perfecting this timeless invention. Measurement transcends mere numbers; it encapsulates humanity's quest for knowledge and understanding. These artifacts stand as testaments to our relentless pursuit for accuracy and efficiency throughout history—reminders that every tick marks another moment passed but also holds infinite possibilities for what lies ahead.