page_title: Thomas Avery
section_title: W & T Avery
hierarchical_section_title: Thomas Avery / W & T Avery
caption_attribution_description: This weighing machine was used to measure the weight of babies and young infants. The child would be placed in the iron pan and weights would be added to the pan to make the balance level. Babies are usually weighed regularly after they are born so that their growth can be monitored. The weights pictured here range from 7lb (just over 3 kg) to 28 lb (just over 12 kg).The weighing machine was collected from Liverpool Royal Infirmary where the device was used. maker: W. &amp; T. Avery Limited Place made: Birmingham, Borough of Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom Wellcome Images Keywords: weighing machine; childcare; measurement
context_page_description: Thomas Avery was a scale or weighing machine manufacturer and local politician. He was mayor of Birmingham in 1868 and 1881.
context_section_description: When a mercer and draper, Thomas's father, William Avery who died in 1843, inherited from within his own and his wife's family a long established weighing machine business which had begun in the early 18th century with the manufacture of steelyards. 
  With his brother, another Thomas who died in 1824, William Avery continued the business under their own names, W & T Avery.
  In 1843 two of William's sons Thomas (1813–1894) with his elder brother William Henry Avery (1812–1874) took over the business. Avery's business expanded and became a substantial employer.
caption: W & T Avery weighing machine
  for infants
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