The Yard and Pound

1895

Two Precious Standards That Are Carefully Guarded In London.

The originals of our yard measure and pound weight — otherwise the British standards of weights and measures — are sealed or walled up in the sides of the house of parliament at London. The cavity in the wall in which these precious standards are preserved somewhat resembles a tomb and can be opened only by tearing away the wall. The two articles which are therein so safely cased are both of metal. The yard measure is of bronze, in the shape of a bar, 38 inches in length, 36 sections, or one yard, having been marked off upon it with some finely scaled instrument. The weight standard is a cube of platinum, weighing exactly 16 ounces. Weighty as it is, it is scarcely more than an inch in extent on either side, and if sold for the metal there is in it would bring nearly $200.

Once every 20 years the walls inclosing these standards are torn away for the purpose of removing the two pieces of metal and comparing their length and weight with the official standards in use by the bureau of weights and measures. These comparisons are made under the supervision of the president of the London board of trade and several other officials appointed by the different branches of the queen's government.

Extremely delicate and elaborate apparatus for making these comparisons are used, and if the units in use by the bureau referred to have been changed or deviate in the least from the standards with which they were compared 20 years before they are immediately changed so as to conform with the original bronze and platinum types. The ceremony of "comparing the standards" was last made in April, 1892. After the comparisons had been made and no variations detected they were again walled up, with the understanding that they would not again be disturbed until April, 1912. — St. Louis Republic.

Comment: So that's interesting. I wonder if they still do that or if they've found a better system by now. They probably have. Like put a bunch of rulers in a closet and assume they're not going to change over 20 years. But if you want to get back to a pure original standard, this is a great way to do it.

Bakers Would Abolish 5-Cent Loaf

1916

Chicago, Sept. 9. — Recommendations to all bakers of the United States that the five-cent loaf of bread be abandoned and the ten-cent loaf standardized, were made after considerable discussion at the closing session of the executive committee of the National Association of Master Bakers yesterday. They urged that the recommendations be put into effect immediately. Economic waste incident to the manufacture of the five-cent loaf was emphasized. Saving in manufacture, improvement in quality and standardization are urged in favor of the ten-cent loaf. It is also recommended that where local conditions make it necessary a smaller loaf may be maintained, with a price consistent with the cost of manufacture.

The bakers cited the following percentages of increase in the cost in the ingredients in the manufacture of bread within the past two years: Patent flour, 100 per cent; rye, 124 per cent; sugar, 66 per cent; shortening, 60 per cent; milk, 40 per cent; salt, 14 per cent; wrapping paper, 70 per cent. Delivery costs also have increased, it was stated, through an advance of 100 per cent in the price of gasolene and of 25 per cent in feed for horses.

The bakers went on record strongly against any attempt to lower the quality of bread.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6

A Street Incident and Royalty

1896

A significant circumstance occurred during a visit of the Emperor of Germany to England. The kaiser was for one day the guest of the lord mayor, and the city of London received him and several of the queen's children on that day.

The old city was splendidly decorated, and set for a great public function. The streets from Buckingham palace to the lord mayor's mansion were lined with infantry and cavalry, back of whom was a solid mass of people.

Between these lines the royal carriages slowly passed. They moved in almost absolute silence, save for the perfunctory salutes of the soldiery. The queen was not present, and for mere royalty as royalty, there was apparently no popular feeling save that of curiosity.

When, however, the carriage of the Princess of Wales appeared, and her sweet, kind face was seen, the applause grew enthusiastic. Suddenly a burst of cheers was heard, as a low, black wagon came swiftly down the thronged street. It was the ambulance of a hospital, which has precedence everywhere, carrying some wounded man to receive succor. The crowd paid homage to charity in a sincere though inappropriate fashion.

In it was a hint which the scions of the ruling families of Europe present should have understood. Queen Victoria knows that her people pay allegiance to her more as a wise, good woman, wife and mother than as one of the House of Hanover.

"The divinity which doth hedge a king" must now have its bases in humanity and personal respect rather than in descent or etiquette.


Standardize the Bike

A proposition has been made recently by bicycle riders to several agents and manufacturers of bicycles that the manufacturers get together in a convention and agree to reduce numerous parts of their different machines to standard proportions.