Tags – history of weighing scales

In the modern world that we live in today, we are lucky to have extremely high-tech devices that provide precise measurements, touchscreen features and internet connectivity that give the most accurate and reliable measurements. 

But, it’s not always been like that and the history of the weighing scales is a long and interesting one.

Did you know, the first recorded evidence of a weight-measuring device was found in the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh who died in 2300 BC? 

Since then, weighing scales have been used for a variety of purposes, from measuring food portions to ensuring that goods are being sold at the correct weight. 

In this blog, we take a look at the history of weighing scales and some of the most important innovations that have taken place in this field over the years!

 

Ancient Measurements

The most ancient relics of a weighing scale have been found in the Indus River Valley, Pakistan, dating back to around 2,000 B.C. near present-day Pakistan. 

As trade developed during these times, merchants discovered a need to assess the value of items such as crops, textiles, and gold in order to trade for their stuff.

Here, the devices were simple, yet effective, and relied on balancing goods; two plates were attached to an overhead beam which was fixed on a central pole. 

Then, measurements were taken by placing the objects on one plate and weight stones on the other until an equilibrium was reached.  

Although this early form of weighing scales proved to be very accurate, it was not without its problems – large objects could not easily be weighed and there was always a risk that the object being measured would move or disturb the balance.

 

The Beam Scale

The beam scale is thought to have been invented in ancient Greece, sometime between 600 and 300 BC. 

Simply, this type of weighing scale consisted of two beams placed horizontally across each other with a fulcrum (or pivot point) in the middle. 

The object to be weighed was placed on one end of the beam and weights were added to the other until equilibrium was reached. 

And the position of the weights along the beam was then used to calculate the weight of the object being measured.

Positively, one of the main advantages of this type of weighing scale is that it could be used to weigh large objects such as sacks of grain or even people! 

And the beam scale continued to be used for many centuries and was only replaced by more accurate devices in the 19th century.

 

The Balance Scale

The balance scale is a more sophisticated version of the beam scale and is thought to have been invented by Archimedes, a famous Greek mathematician, around 212 BC. 

Briefly speaking, this type of weighing scale consisted of two pans (or dishes) placed on either end of a lever which was balanced on a central fulcrum. 

The object being weighed was placed in one pan and weights were added to the other until equilibrium was reached.

On the plus side, this could be used to measure very small objects, as well as large ones. 

The disadvantage, however, is that it was not very accurate and could be easily disturbed. 

 

The Steelyard Scale

The steelyard scale is a type of balance scale which was invented in Europe during the Middle Ages (between 500 and 1500 AD). 

And this type of weighing scale consisted of a beam with a movable counterweight on one end and a suspended weight on the other; the object being weighed was placed on the beam and the counterweight was moved until equilibrium was reached. 

Then, the position of the counterweight was then used to calculate the weight of the object being measured.

As with the other devices, this scale could only be used to weigh small objects and was eventually replaced by more accurate devices in the 18th century.

 

The Platform Scale

The platform scale is a type of weighing scale which consists of a flat surface on which objects are placed to be weighed.

It is thought to have been invented in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-905 AD), and is still used today and is the most common type of weighing scale.

Unlike the other scales, this one can be used to weigh large objects, but whilst the platform scale continues to be used in many industries, it has been largely replaced by more accurate devices in recent years.

 

Digital Weighing Scales

Digital weighing scales are a type of electronic weighing scale which use digital displays to show the weight of an object being measured.

First invented in Japan in 1965, digital scales have since become the most popular type of weighing scale worldwide.

Today, a strain gauge load cell is the weight transducer in digital industrial scales.The load cell is a metal block that bends in a similar manner to a spring when subjected to force, and when the strain is removed, like a spring, the load cell reverts back to its original form.

Typically, several strain gauges are attached to the load cell and these flat metal folds make up these resistors. When the load cell bends and the strain gauges are stretched, their resistance varies in accordance with the amount of force being applied to the load cell. 

Simply, strain gauge output is sent to an ADC (analog-to-digital converter), which converts it to a final weight value.

 

If you’d like to know more, please contact us today.

Take a look at our Industrial Weighing Solutions here in the meantime.

 

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