


First, there’s a platform that carries the load of the measured item. (Credit: American History) Counterbalance Scale Rod stamped with scale of fifteen small heart-shaped dots with very thin notches. Bismar or unequal-arm balance scale consisting of a slender rod with turned spool-and-compressed-ball weight fixed at one end and an astragal-cornered diamond or lozenge shape load hook chased with the initial “K” suspended from the other end. You move the shaft on the opposite hook of the Bismar. The Postal service used this beam to measure packages and letters. Instead, the short end has a permanent weight that serves as the standard measurement unit. It’s similar in some ways to the Equal Arm Scale, except that the stem doesn’t reside in the center of the horizontal line. Unequal Arm (Bismar) ScaleĪs the name implies, this device has unequal arms – one end is longer than the other. But unfortunately, they’re sensitive to the slightest touch so, the owners encased them in a glass box. The Romans used it to weigh gold coins, and apothecaries measured spices with theirs. It had different sizes of apothecary weights as measurement standards. You use it to measure unknown items against known weights. This classic style is a T-shaped device with pans hanging from each end of the horizontal line. The Equal Arm Scale Antique English Equal Arm Brass Beam Shop Scale (Credit: Ebay) Each of these style suits a unique purpose. A sense of calmness and assurance still accompanies the use of antique scales, so people still keep them as décor.Įven though there are a thousand designs of antique scales, everyone follows ten basic models.

You’d assume that this signified the end of the road for classic analog designs – you’re mistaken. The world soon began to go digital, and so electronic scales took over in the 1940s. By 1986, the organization expanded its reach to Europe and North America. They aimed to preserve the principles and devices of measurement. In 1976, antique scale enthusiasts formed the International Society of Antique Scale Collectors (ISASC). Consequently, the platform spring scale became a regular fixture in the kitchen. It gained popularity with Cookers and Bakers such that homemakers bought into the idea. However, with the 1840s came Postal scales, which helped determine the price of sending a letter and package delivery costs.īy the 18th century, manufacturers added a spring resistance to the device. The 1700s saw the production of the Chinese Pocket Banjo for easy carriage. Modern Antique scales started from the classic Equal Arm balance scale. Although there are several styles, they all follow the same principle – balance.
ANTIQUE LARGE NUMBER PRESS UPGRADE
They represent fairness and accountability in every way.Įveryone used the balancing scales – in the hospitals to size newborn babies, at the apothecary to measure spices, jewelers used them for sizing gold, postal services employed them when weighing letters, and the list goes on.Īs the world evolved, the need for accurate measurements arose, leading to a constant upgrade of scales. From the Egyptian center beam to Englishman Richard Salter’s spring scales. We can trace the origin of scales to as far back as 2400BC. The event is organized by the Inland Empire Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society and sponsored by Coeur Custom Wood Boats, Hagadone Marine Group and The Boardwalk Marina.History of Antique Scales The Scales Museum in Campogalliano, in the province of Modena

The boat festival is billed as a chance to see one-of-a-kind watercraft and meet the owners, who share stories about adventures on the water. The weather looks to be perfect, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the 80s Saturday and reaching the 90s Sunday.Īlthough most of the boats will be gleaming mahogany, there will be a handful of early fiberglass and aluminum models, as well. “It is a great opportunity for vintage boat owners to show off their beautifully restored, rebuilt and preserved classics,” Hagadone Marine Group said.Ībout 25 classics, polished to perfection, from sporty smaller models to large cruisers will line the boardwalk. Sunday at The Coeur d’Alene Resort's Floating Boardwalk. The 2023 Coeur d'Alene Antique & Classic Boat Festival is open 10 a.m. COEUR d'ALENE - It's time once again for those who appreciate some beauty from the past to lace up the topsiders and head to the lake.
