Thermometer

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By uniting two or more metals into a compound strip, which changes curvature as the temperature changes, the design of metallic thermometers was greatly simplified, allowing them to become both more compact and more sensitive. Those in the shape of pocket watches, such as this example from around 1780 and signed by Freres Melly, probably of Paris, were probably never intended to be anything other than a rich man's toy.

The glass-covered case protects the enamelled dial, which hides the working movement of a bimetallic strip which moves the pointer across the dial. The dial is marked with two scales, Reaumur and Fahrenheit, and the hand indicates both at once. The watch 'handle' is decorative. It is marked in French and signed 'Freres Melly'. The silver case is numbered 3253, with stamps of a lion, initials R.P. and an import stamp.

Clockmakers produced barometers, often as a sideline, as their wealthy clients were interested in expensive items which might have a novelty appeal, such as this early piece of miniaturisation.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-184-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1932.65
• Date: 19th century
  Around 1780
  
• Material: Metal / silver case. Inscription: [On case] 3253; lion stamp; R.P.; import stamp
  Thermometer / case
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Thermometer / case
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Heat (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Freres Melly, Paris (Instrument maker)
  R. P. (Possible owner)
  
• Where: France, Paris
  
• Event:
• Description: Metallic thermometer showing Fahrenheit and Reaumur scales and maximum and minimum temperature readings, made by Freres Melly, with silver case numbered 3253, initials R.P., and lion and import stamps
  
• References:
  • For bimetallic thermometers, see W.E.K. Middleton, A History of the Thermometer and its use in Meteorology (Baltimore, 1966), pp 169-72 
  • For Freres Melly, Paris, see G.H. Baillie, C. Ilbert and C. Clutton (eds.), Britten's Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers 9th edition (London, 1982), pp 539 
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