probably made in Paris

Worm drive model (detail)

A worm drive demonstrates how simple gearing works between a screw and a cogged wheel. This worm drive model was made in the 19th century, probably by Breton and Freres, scientific instrument makers based in Paris.

The worm drive is in the form of a screw, and in this apparatus is attached to an axle so that it can mesh into the teeth of a large cog-wheel. A small effort applied to the axle turns the cog-wheel, raising comparably heavier loads. At the top of the brass frame, the instrument is signed 'BRETON ET FS (?) / A PARIS'.

This demonstrates the principle used in such machines as the vice or the jack, showing how something as small as a car jack can enable a wheel to be changed with very little effort expended by the car driver.

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Online ID:	000-100-104-253-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1974.211
Date:	19th century
Material:	Brass, black painted wooden frame, wooden handle. Inscription: BRETON ET FS (?) / A PARIS
Dimensions:	21.00" H
What:	Screw, endless
Subject:	22. PHYSICS, Mechanics (Departmental Classification)
Who:	Breton et Freres, Paris (Maker)
Where:	France, Paris
Event:
Description:	Endless screw signed by Breton et Freres of Paris, 19th century
References:	Turner, G. L'E., Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments. London: 1983, p 72
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