What small treasures and precious objects can you discover in this store? There are insects, butterflies, birds and animals; fossils, gemstones, mineral and oil samples alongside scientific specimens, plant models, scientific instruments for measuring, calculating, observing, recording, experimenting and mapping, plus equipment used by Antarctic explorers.
Feature objects in the exhibition
Mechanical calculator made by Lawrence Hargrave
This is a mechanical calculator designed and built by Lawrence Hargrave while working as an astronomical observer at Sydney Observatory between 1880 and 1883. As in some earlier machines, the keys used to input the numbers operate levers underneath to turn the wheels that display the sum.
The Museum holds the world’s largest collection of material relating to Lawrence Hargrave. The invention of the aeroplane cannot be attributed to a single individual and Hargrave belonged to an elite body of scientists and researchers that included Octave Chanute, Otto Lilienthal and Percy Sinclair Pilcher. Their experiments and inventions paved the way for the first powered, controlled flight — achieved by the Wright Brothers on 17 December 1903.
Shortly after Hargrave married Margaret Preston Johnson in 1878, he commenced employment as an Extra Observer (Astronomical) at Sydney Observatory under the supervision of the Government Astronomer H C Russell. Hargrave was responsible for conducting extensive arithmetical calculations in this role. The mundane nature of this work most likely prompted him to produce this machine to make the tasks simpler and quicker.
None of Hargrave’s adding machines were reported to be reliable. In a letter to Dr H W MacLaurin, Hargrave admits ‘my instrument failed through imperfect workmanship — before putting faith in any calculating machine, test it repeatedly’.
Learn more about the Mechanical calculator made by Lawrence Hargrave on the Powerhouse website
Volunteer Insights and Talking Points
Lawrence Hargrave, who later achieved fame as an aeronautical researcher, made this adding machine while working as an astronomical observer at Sydney Observatory between 1880 and 1883. He made four such machines to help him with the number-crunching part of his job, but he admitted they were unreliable due to ‘imperfect workmanship’.
As in some earlier machines, the keys used to input numbers operate levers underneath to turn the wheels that display the sum. In 1885 the first reliable key-driven ‘comptometer’ was made in the USA.
Wooden base with mounted rectangular ‘platform’ of brass and steel. Centre portion has three rows of nine nail-like keys which act on three sprung levers pivoted behind the keyboard. Levers have geared arc which acts against gear connected to the four wheels. Wheels have cork squares painted with digits (10).
This particular adding machine represents the period of Lawrence Hargrave’s life before he was committed to full-time aeronautical experimentations. It was produced during his role as Extra Observer (Astronomical) at Sydney Observatory and demonstrates his mechanical mindedness and ingenuity in non-aviation related aspects of his life.
Question to engage general visitors:
Do you think this was a useful machine?
Question to engage younger audiences:
Where do you think your fingers would go to push the keys down?
Question to engage enthusiasts:
Do you have any idea how this would work?
Crouch binocular microscope by Henry Crouch
This is a compound binocular microscope made in London by Henry Crouch in about 1890. It is one of the few scientific instruments which survive from when the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences in Sydney undertook scientific research. For almost a century the museum’s main work was scientific research. In that time scientists investigated how oils, plants, fish, wood, rocks and plastics could be used for profit. Some of the projects were unusual. During the Second World War the Museum investigated practical uses for rabbit heads and carrot skins for glue and cellulose. The scientific research program ended in 1978.
Learn more about the Crouch binocular microscope by Henry Crouch on the Powerhouse website
Volunteer Insights and Talking Points
For almost a century the museum’s main work was scientific research. In that time scientists investigated how oils, plants, fish, wood, rocks and plastics could be used for profit. Some of the projects were unusual. During the Second World War the Museum investigated practical uses for rabbit heads and carrot skins for glue and cellulose. The scientific research program ended in 1978.
This object laid the foundation for the kind of scientific research being done today. This compact microscope met the needs of medical students who needed a high-quality research microscope that was light enough to be conveniently mobile. Similar designs are used today.
Joseph Maiden used this binocular microscope, made in London by Henry Crouch, to examine wood fibres and the detailed structure of leaves as part of a major research program in collaboration with Economic Chemist Henry Smith.
It is one of the few scientific instruments which survive from when the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences in Sydney undertook scientific research
Question to engage general visitors:
Around what time period do you believe a microscope such as this would be in use?
“The maker of the microscope is Henry Crouch, in London, 1880-1888″.
Question to engage younger audiences:
What are some things you could find out using a microscope such as this one?
Question to engage enthusiasts:
Did you know this was a lower cost microscope?
The Crouch partners soon focused on producing good-quality, less-expensive microscopes for the middle-class microscopist and student. In particular, Crouch brought out a greatly-admired binocular microscope (Figures 2 and 3). Washington Teasdale later wrote that “in 1862 … there was … a demand for a cheap binocular, and, in meeting this, Messrs. H. and W. Crouch were pre-eminently successful, and the position gained by them has been ably sustained to this day. I was so fortunate as to get one almost at the first, and have seen few binoculars to equal, and none to surpass it. I have not, of course, Zentmayer’s glass rotating stage, and the other improvements Mr. Crouch now supplies; but otherwise it is as perfect as a binocular could be”.
Prototype Kater azimuth compass
This instrument is thought to be the first prototype of a ‘Kater Azimuth Compass’. Henry Kater had joined the British Army in 1799 and was sent to Madras, India, where as an ensign he did surveying work with William Lambton. In 1811, while still engaged in the survey, he devised this azimuth compass, which incorporates a mirror that allows the reading of scales at the same time as observation of a distant object through the sighting vane. Kater produced this compass a year before Charles Schmalcalder invented the similar, but more successful, prismatic compass.
Learn more about the Prototype Kater azimuth compass on the Powerhouse website
Volunteer Insights and Talking Points
This instrument is thought to be the first prototype of a ‘Kater Azimuth Compass’. Henry Kater had joined the British Army in 1799 and was sent to Madras, India, where as an ensign he did surveying work with William Lambton. In 1811, while still engaged in the survey, he devised this azimuth compass
Kater produced this compass a year before Charles Schmalcalder invented the similar, but more successful, prismatic compass.
The inscription ‘H. Kater, Invt.’ is hand written on the compass in ink. The scale is also hand inscribed, the numbers being reversed so that they can be read in the mirror. Subsequently ‘Kater‘ compasses with printed cards were made by Thomas Jones.
Around the edge of the paper card are graduations and degrees written in pencil with the makers name also written in pencil.
Question to engage general visitors:
He made many contributions to astronomy, what were some?
He devised a method for graduating circles and inventing the floating collimator.
Question to engage younger audiences:
How would you tell where north is using this compass?
Question to engage enthusiasts:
What was Henry Kater acclaimed for in regards to his design for the compass?
He was widely acclaimed for determining both the best kind of steel for making compass needles and their optimal shape.
Hood used by Charles Laseron during Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition
This hood was used by Charles Francis Laseron (1887-1959) during Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914. Charles Laseron is an important figure in the history of the Powerhouse Museum (formerly the Sydney Technological Museum), serving a highly distinguished career as collector and Officer in Charge, Applied Arts, for the Museum from 1906 until 1929.
Learn more about the Hood used by Charles Laseron during Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition on the Powerhouse website
Volunteer Insights and Talking Points
In 1911 Laseron was given leave from the Museum to join the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914, directed by Australian geologist Sir Douglas Mawson (1882-1958). Laseron worked as taxidermist, biological collector, and general scientific assistant. This expedition, along with the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Expedition 1929-1931, was one of the most important Australian scientific expeditions of the 20th century, laying the basis for Australia’s later claim to almost 42 per cent of the Antarctic continent.
This hood was used by Charles Francis Laseron (1887-1959) during Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914. Charles Laseron is an important figure in the history of the Powerhouse Museum (formerly the Sydney Technological Museum), serving a highly distinguished career as collector and Officer in Charge, Applied Arts, for the Museum from 1906 until 1929.
This object, along with related items in the collection, reflects some of the equipment necessary to survive and work in the harsh conditions of Antarctica and gives insight into a story of adventure, hardship, and tragedy in a time of heroic Antarctic exploration. In addition it forms part of a collection that signifies Australia’s immense contribution to exploration and scientific research of the Antarctic region.
The expedition was not without tragedy. During a sledding trip to the east of the base involving Douglas Mawson, Xavier Mertz and Belgrade Ninnis, a crevasse swallowed up Ninnis, a team of six dogs, and the sled containing most of their food. The survivors began the arduous journey back to base, some 500 kilometres away, during which they ate the remaining dogs for food. Mertz died during the return, leaving Mawson to travel the 100 kilometres back to base alone.
Question to engage general visitors:
Do you think this hood was good for exploring the Antarctic?
Question to engage younger audiences:
Have you ever seen a hat like this before?
Question to engage enthusiasts:
Let’s have a chat about surviving the eliminates of the Antarctic
Surveyor’s compass made by Angelo Tornaghi
This brass, silver and glass instrument, also known as a surveyor’s compass, measures horizontal angles. It has been claimed that this instrument — designed and made by Angelo Tornaghi in Sydney, New South Wales around 1863–1864 — was used to survey the New South Wales and Queensland borders.
Surveyors use instruments to measure angles and distances to establish the boundary of land holdings or territories. This practice clearly identifies where fences should run in order to divide properties. Surveying also establishes a record of the topography of the land and assists in the making of maps and locating ideal sites for buildings or other constructions.
Angelo Tornaghi developed and patented a portable and accurate circumferentor in 1863. It was popular with field surveyors because it was light and easy to transport. However, this type of instrument was superseded by the more accurate theodolite, which measured both horizontal and vertical angles.
Learn more about the Surveyor’s compass made by Angelo Tornaghi on the Powerhouse website
Volunteer Insights and Talking Points
Angelo Tornaghi was born Milan in 1831 and arrived in Sydney in 1855 where he worked as a local agent for the London based scientific instrument firm, Negretti & Zambra. In 1858 he helped supervise the adjustment of Negretti & Zambra instruments which had been ordered for the newly completed Sydney Observatory.
This surveying instrument, made by Angelo Tornaghi, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1863-1864, is claimed to have been used in the survey of NSW and QLD borders.
After 1866 Tornaghi concentrated on making paving tiles alongside a specialized business for the making, installation and servicing of some of New South Wales important municipal and community clocks.
In 1866 Angelo Tornaghi business was crippled by a massive debt and he was forced to sell all of his stock which included clocks, watches, jewellery and astronomical, mathematical, optical and survey instruments.
Question to engage general visitors:
Is this a practically designed compass?
Question to engage younger audiences:
What do you think this is?
Question to engage enthusiasts:
How important is this object to our history?
Prismatic compass used by Cotton on Shackleton’s BAE
This combined prismatic compass and clinometer was used by the Australian geologist and Antarctic expeditioner Leo Arthur Cotton. The compass helps to determine course, waypoints and direction, and the clinometer measures incline, making this an invaluable tool for surveyors, miners, geologists and explorers.
The combined prismatic compass and clinometer has been around since at least 1896 and is said to be one of the geologist’s most useful field instruments. It combines the principles of the surveyor’s compass, prismatic compass and clinometer. It is used for navigation and to measure the angle of a line of sight above or below a horizontal plane.
This object was used by the Australian geologist and Antarctic expeditioner Leo Arthur Cotton. It illustrates the scientific work undertaken by Australian geologists both in Antarctica and Australia.
Learn more about the Prismatic compass used by Cotton on Shackleton’s BAE on the Powerhouse website
Volunteer Insights and Talking Points
The combined prismatic compass and clinometer was used for navigation and to measure the angle of a line of sight above or below horizontal. It continues to be one of the useful and important instruments for geologists to take into the field, together with a geology hammer and pick, hand lens, maps and note book.
This scientific instrument is a prismatic compass and clinometer. It was owned by the Australian geologist Leo Arthur Cotton (1883-1963). It is believed to have been used by Cotton while on Ernest Shackleton’s 1907-09 British Antarctic Expedition on board the “Nimrod”
To reduce the number and weight of instruments they carry, scientists doing fieldwork favour multi-purpose devices like this one combined direction-finding compass, angle-measuring clinometer and map-reading ruler.
Today, apps can turn a mobile phone into a ruler, compass, clinometer and weather station, among many other functions.
Question to engage general visitors:
Would this have been easy to use?
Question to engage younger audiences:
What do you think this is?
Question to engage enthusiasts:
How important do you think this equipment is when on an expedition?
Craniometer, signed Mathieu à Paris
Craniometers are used for measuring the cranium or skull. This craniometer, manufactured in Paris by surgical instrument maker Louis Mathieu some time between 1847 and 1879, is unusually complex in its design. No evidence of a similar instrument has yet been located to indicate who invented it.
Members of the Edinburgh Phrenology Society, founded in 1820, sought to confirm the brain as the organ of the mind (phrenos: mind; logos: study). Their assertion was that different mental faculties corresponded to specific regions of the brain and practitioners could determine talents and disposition by examining the shape of the skull. This extended the older practice of physiognomy, where a person’s inner character was assessed from their outer appearance, especially their facial features. In France, the two knowledge systems of phrenology and physiognomy merged in the rise of comparative anatomy. As the most significant variation in humans grouped according to race, sex and class was seen in the skull, craniometry continued to develop throughout the 1800s.
This craniometer is historically significant as it links to period of increased speculation about a biological basis for the mind. The application of precise methods of measurement for the systematic comparison of human groups is a landmark in the 19th century progression of anthropology.
Today, the main subjects for craniometry are babies, as too large or small a skull can indicate specific brain defects for which treatment or therapy is available.
Learn more about the Craniometer on the Powerhouse website