2011/1

Planimeter used to measure the area of uneven shapes, such as leather or hide, by tracing the edges. Made by G. L. Murphy Ltd.
This is a planimeter, a device used to measure the area of uneven shapes, such as those of samples of leather or hide, by tracing the edges and calculating the area. This planimeter is made of metal, and has a double-wheeled mechanism at one end and a pointed marker at the opposite end, connected by a straight and a curved rod. It is not in working order. It may have been manufactured by G. L. Murphy Ltd. of Imperial Works in Menston, near Leeds, which specialised in producing tools and machines for tanners and leather manufacturers. The donor acquired it from the tanning firm Deed and Co. of Mitcham, London.

Metal rods or arms extend out from a wheeled mechanism. One of the arms features a spiked point, which lies at right angles to the length of the arm and at the opposite end of the machine from the wheeled mechanism.

1930 - 1940