Scalebuoy [Water Treatment Device]
Maker and role
The Scalebuoy Company, Manufacturer
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Object detail
Accession number
2016.8
Maker
Description
"The Scalebuoy" for domestic prevention of scale/calcification build up inside water vessels or boilers. Four evacuated glass bulbs each containing a small quantity of mercury mounted in metal frame with rubber stops resembling a whisk with a wooden handle at the top. Designed to be agitated in water. Each bulb is stamped in green with "THE SCALEBUOY" and one bulb is stamped with "Tested and Guaranteed / Boston / Pat Applied for USA".
Brief History
The Scalebuoy was marketed as a handheld device which prevented the build-up of calcification inside water vessels or boilers by regular agitation. Made in Boston USA, the device is made up of four evacuated glass bulbs each containing a small quantity of mercury and mounted in a metal frame with rubber stops resembling a whisk with a wooden handle at the top. The donor of the Scalebuoy fondly remembered using the Scalebuoy as a child for half an hour to “soften” the bath water before use. Generally considered an example of scientific quackery, other examples of scalebuoys were made in Bendigo Australia and in the US for both domestic and laboratory purposes.
Marks
The Scalebuoy / Tested and Guaranteed / Boston / Pat Applied for / USA Stamped
THE SCALEBUOY Stamped
THE SCALEBUOY Stamped
Media/Materials
Credit Line
The Scalebuoy Company. Scalebuoy [Water Treatment Device], 2016.8. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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