The Cambridge Bench pH Meter

This pH meter was manufactured in 1959 by the Cambridge Instrument Company at their London factory.

The Cambridge Instrument Company can trace its roots back to the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company.  A company founded in 1881 by Albert Dew Smith and Horace Darwin, the youngest son of Charles Darwin.  The original activity of the business was to manufacture and supply instruments to the laboratories of Cambridge University.  

Since the 1960s, the company has gone through numerous reorganisations, mergers and acquisitions.  Its various activities are now split across a number of companies.

Despite being more than 50 years old, this particular instrument is in excellent condition.  A testament to the high quality materials used and the skilled workmanship of the time.

One wonders what activities this meter has witnessed over its long life......

Was it used for cutting edge scientific research or was it used for more mundane, but equally important, quality control routines ? 

Photo of the The Cambridge pH Meter with a younger cousin

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