SCALES, Weighing

All-metal scales, cream in colour, with detachable tray secured by side clips. The register is marked 0 to 16 for ounces and on its other side 0 to 31 for pounds, each has a separate sliding marker. "SECA" is marked in a triangle at one end of the register and again on the front of the scale. The upper casing which supports the tray is well sprung and moves slightly in any direction. The scale was already in use at the Chemist shop at 71 Walter Road, Bassendean when Geoff Newall took over in 1978. Then, a piece of hemmed, checked flannelette was used to cover the base of the tray on which a baby was put while being weighed. The shop was vacated as the North Bassendean Pharmacy in August 1992 and was converted into a Pizza outlet. It was common for mothers to take their babies to be weighed at a chemist's in the 1960s and 1970s, rather than at the Baby Health Clinic which might not be so conveniently located or where there might be a long wait. All-metal scales replaced those with a basket frame because they were durable and easier to keep hygienically clean.

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History Collection

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