Today we accept weighing as part of everyday life, using its principles as measures of our ideas of justice, but giving methods of weighing little thought. Weighing, however, is an ancient art, which has exercised the minds of philosophers, scientists, engineers and even the dishonest for at least six thousand years. This book shows how men strove to produce a machine which could compare more accurately, or more quickly, or would meet a special need or perhaps even sell more cheaply. With the aid of many illustrations and non-technical language some essential knowledge of the principles of weighing is provided. About the author The late J. T. Graham had a considerable collection of old scales and old weights and measures and was a senior officer in the weights and measures department of a large local authority. The late Maurice Stevenson, who revised this book for its third edition, was a senior inspector of weights and measures and also a keen collector of old scales and weights.

Other Shire titles by this author: Weights and Measures.