Measurement Collection (#37)

Alkaline soil
Soil testing. A pH meter showing the alkalinity of soil. Farmers and gardeners use pH meters to determine the pH level of soil to assess its suitability for different plants

Neutral soil
Soil testing. A pH meter showing a neutral pH of soil. Farmers and gardeners use pH meters to determine the pH level of soil to assess its suitability for different plants

Acid soil
Soil testing. A pH meter showing the acidity of soil. Farmers and gardeners use pH meters to determine the pH level of soil to assess its suitability for different plants

Brain size, conceptual image
Brain size. Conceptual image of a human brain wrapped in a tape measure. This image represents the research done on relative brain sizes, which vary between different species

Global methane concentration, 2004
Global methane concentration. Map showing the concentration of methane (CH4) gas in the stratosphere (about 10-50 kilometres in altitude) on 25th July 2004

Water meter. Domestic water meter used to measure the quantity of water used in a home

Blood pressure measurement

Digital pH measurement

Three electrocardiograms, artwork
Artwork showing three electrocardiogram (ECG) traces that measure the electrical activity of the heart. At top there is electrical interference in the heartbeat, at centre there is muscle tremor

Antarctic ozone hole, 2009
Antarctic ozone hole. Satellite image of the ozone hole (blue) over Antarctica (centre) on 10th September 2009. Ozone layer thicknesses are colour coded from purple (lowest) through blue

Nicolas Fabri de Peiresc, astronomer
Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc (1580-1637), French astronomer. Peiresc was born into a wealthy family at Aix-en-Provence. He studied at Toulon and Montpellier, graduating in law in 1605

Blood oxygen meter, artwork
Blood oxygen meter. Artwork of a pulse oxygen meter on a patients finger. The output from the meter is shown on the machine across top

Remove before flight tag attached to an aircraft photographed at the 2009 Paris Air Show. The red tag is attached to a small plastic cover

High temperature. Close-up of a glass thermometer reading 44.5 degrees Celsius (112 degrees Fahrenheit)

Scanner for characterising surfaces
Nanoscale engineering. View of a NanoScan device, used to characterise the surface of a material on a tiny scale. The scanner can measure the surface shape

Waist size measurement
MODEL RELEASED. Waist size measurement. Elderly woman using a tape measure to check the size of her waist

19th century gas meter, artwork
Gas meter. Artwork of a 19th century gas meter. Engraving from " Grands Hommes et Grands Faits de l Industrie" circa 1880

Anthropometry, 19th century
Anthropometry. Man having the length of his ear measured. This measurement, along with other standard measurements of body parts

Paul Broca, French anatomist
Paul Broca (1824-1880), French anatomist. This bronze statue was inaugurated on 26 July 1887, on the Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris, France

Declinometer, 17th century
Declinometer. 17th century illustration showing a declinometer, a device for measuring the magnetic dip angle. This is the angle between the Earths magnetic field and the horizon

Transit Instruments, Pais Observatory
Transit instruments were pivoted telescopes that allowed astronomers to time the passage of a star over the meridian (an imaginary line through the poles)

Caliber compasses, 19th century
Caliber compasses. Engraving of a diagram of a pair of caliber compasses. These were used to assess the size and thus the weight of projectiles such as cannon balls

Gilberts magnetic dip circle
Dip circle. 17th century illustration of a magnetic dip circle. This is an instrument to determine the angle between the horizon and the Earths magnetic field at a given point on the surface

Device for determining latitude
Latitude. 17th century device for determining latitude. The metal bar is attached to the centre of the disc. An observation of the rising of a known star is made

Magnetic declination, 17th Century
Magnetic declination. 17th century illustration showing how a lodestone could be used to illustrate the concept of magnetic dip

Flood control benchmark, UK
Flood control benchmark. UK Environment Agency Benchmark (EABM) positioned alongside a watercourse as part of the national Flood Control system

Flood monitor, UK
Flood monitor. River water level gauge located by a tributary of the Upper Thames river. This device uses a telemetry system to measure the height of the stream

Soil pH meter in a plant pot. A pH meter shows the alkalinity or acidity of a substance. Farmers and gardeners use these meters to assess a soils suitability for different plants

Antarctic ozone hole maximum, 2008
Antarctic ozone hole maximum. Satellite image of the maximum extent in 2008 of the ozone hole (blue) over Antarctica (centre)

Hourglass, artwork
Hourglass, computer artwork

Seed counter spoons. These spoons are used to measure out different quantities of flower seeds. The seed packet in the foreground is for sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) flowers

Global warming, conceptual image. Earth with a thermometer

Electroencephalography, artwork
Electroencephalography. Computer artwork of the top of a head with electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes attached to the scalp. EEG measures and records the electrical activity of the brain

Chemical weights
Assorted chemical weights. The different amount of each chemical represents a measurement known as the mole. One mole of any sample contains the same number of molecules or atoms

Gran Sasso Laboratory entrance
Gran Sasso laboratory entrance. Time-exposure image of car light trails by the entrance to the physics laboratories at Gran Sasso in Abruzzo, Italy

One mole of carbon. Carbon powder being weighed out on a balance. 12 grams of carbon is 1 mole. A mole is a chemical unit of measurement that shows the number of molecules or atoms present

Sea surface density, global map. The density of the surface water of the worlds oceans is calculated from measurements of temperature and salinity

Friction demonstration, image 2 of 2
Friction demonstration. Image 2 of 2. The wooden slab and one kilogram mass are being pulled over a smooth wooden table by a newtonmeter

Met Police stopwatch -- outer casing
A Metropolitan Police issue stopwatch for the purpose of catching speeding motorists. This method worked on the principle of timing motorists over specific distances to estimate their speed

Man on a weighing machine, Austria
A man poses on a roadside weighing machine somewhere in the Austrian countryside

Being measured for a new car / W Heath Robinson
Illustration by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo - Market traders weighing large sacks of grain in the main Sarajevo Market

Two engineers using a measurement device
Two engineers use a precise measuring device to correctly ascertain the width of a circular metal ring. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Turkish Coin Card - small denominations
Turkish Coin Card, illustrating various small denominations of coin with their foreign exchange rates

Turkish Coin Card, illustrating various denominations of coin with their foreign exchange rates

Clock of St Georges Church, Esher, Surrey
A close-up view of part of the clock of St Georges Church in Esher, Surrey. The clock dates from the late 16th or early 17th century

Horse-Power
A new apparatus recently adopted by the licensing authorities for testing the horse-power of motor cars. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the Estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger

London Stone - Cannon Street. This celebrated stone, the origin of which is somewhat obscure, is now in the wall of St Swithins Church

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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.