The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-11-01
z@OVER SINCE Eve divided
l6lNI the forbidden fruit with
s85N Adam mankind has con-
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Hd&&5H Adam mankind has con-
gN9 tinued dividing it's COM
modities. Barter and trade called
for some means of making divi.
sions, other than size. or measure,
and long before the laws of gravj-
tation were understood crude
methods of making weights we're
contrived. The earliest recorded
methods we're of the 'seesaw"
type, bar of iron or slab of wood
being balanced, using most any
convenient rock or stump for full
crum. As no standard weights
were existent stones we're used on
one end, the article to be weighed
put on the other end and balance
obtained. Tradition tells of these
stones being called heads in one
locality. Presumably this was be-
cause of their size and shape. Such
unequal units must have caused
the aboriginals much worriment
and contention heads" always
have varied in their density and
ponderosity!
Mythology cites an instance of
two ancient Hebrews who were
endeavoring to ascertain the
weight of a pig. just how these
orthodox gentlemen came to be
dealing in pork is not narrated.
To facilitate their calculations
they put plank over the top rail
of a nearby fence. placed the pig
on one end and began piling the
heads" on the other. Evidently
this transaction took place in the
early morn while the dew was yet
in evidence, or, perchance it had
rained the night before; anyhow
the rail was wet, the plank slipped
considerably off center and they
found they could balance Mr.. Pig
by using less weights. Behold the
lever principle was discovered!
The authenticity of these legends
is not vouched for they but serve
to direct the attention to two of
the fundamental sources of scale
construction: the even-balance and
lever. To be exact, both of these
methods are one element; i. e., the
use of weight as a counter bal
ance. Utilization of the residence
of a spring in making weights, is
also of ancient origin. Expert
ments and development have
wrought many changes and i'm
provements in methods but the
process still requires the use of a
spring, or of weight in some
manner. as a counter balance; or a
combination Of both is sometimes
used. They are indispensable es-
sentials. Evolution has not changed
the fundamentals but has taught
how to govern and better apply
the laws of gravitation and me-
chanics so as to overcome friction
and inaccuracies and increase the
general utility. The strife for i'm
provement has left behind some
very cumbersome, ungainly me-
chanical monstrosities, relics of
by-gone days, still progressive
step in the perfecting of the mod
ern machines. The steelyard, the
London Tea Balance" and slow
acting balance and beam scales are
fast becoming obsolete.
Though manifold the uses to
which scales are put, probably the
greatest number are used in sub
dividing the daily necessities OF
life; a machine that comes close to
the pocket-book of the public and
they expect and demand accurate
weights. This is also of vital i'm
portance to the merchant; his goods
represent his capital. He buys
say 100 10. sack of coffee or chest
of tea-he pays for 100 lbs. In
weighing it, in small lots, he runs
from IL to 3 lbs. short. 1t is ar
actual fact that overweight is Civ