EMCO Gasometer, Bell, circa 1935

Close up of the top of the gasometer bell.  This gasometer was manufactured by the Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company under the brand name EMCO.  The two patent numbers included on a nameplate are dated as being issued in 1929 and 1932, giving this gasometer an approximate manufacture date of the mid-1930’s.  This gasometer was rescued and restored by David Cowgill, Scientific Director of ATOR Labs and when found was covered with red paint and was being used to calibrate natural gas meters, which is probably close to its original purpose.  Photo courtesy of Sieggy Bennicoff-Yundt, Quality Director of ATOR labs.

EMCO Gasometer, Pulley and counterweight, circa 1935

Detail of one of the pulleys and a small counterweight.  This gasometer was manufactured by the Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company under the brand name EMCO.  The two patent numbers included on a nameplate are dated as being issued in 1929 and 1932, giving this gasometer an approximate manufacture date of the mid-1930’s.  This gasometer was rescued and restored by David Cowgill, Scientific Director of ATOR Labs and when found was covered with red paint and was being used to calibrate natural gas meters, which is probably close to its original purpose.  Photo courtesy of Sieggy Bennicoff-Yundt, Quality Director of ATOR labs.

EMCO Gasometer, Inlet Valve, circa 1935

Inlet valve and name plates. This gasometer was manufactured by the Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company under the brand name EMCO.  The two patent numbers included on a nameplate are dated as being issued in 1929 and 1932, giving this gasometer an approximate manufacture date of the mid-1930’s.  This gasometer was rescued and restored by David Cowgill, Scientific Director of ATOR Labs and when found was covered with red paint and was being used to calibrate natural gas meters, which is probably close to its original purpose.  Photo courtesy of Sieggy Bennicoff-Yundt, Quality Director of ATOR labs.

EMCO Gasometer, name plate, Circa 1935

Gasometer name plate.  This gasometer was manufactured by the Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company under the brand name EMCO.  The two patent numbers included on a nameplate are dated as being issued in 1929 and 1932, giving this gasometer an approximate manufacture date of the mid-1930’s.  This gasometer was rescued and restored by David Cowgill, Scientific Director of ATOR Labs and when found was covered with red paint and was being used to calibrate natural gas meters, which is probably close to its original purpose.  Photo courtesy of Sieggy Bennicoff-Yundt, Quality Director of ATOR labs.

Spirometer, Spalding, 1891

From the Spalding Gymnasium Equipment Catalog, 1891, page 94.  A description of its use:

Position – Face spirometer, head up, shoulders well back.

Motion – Take deep breath, place tube in mouth and blow steadily, but neither quick nor slow.

The deep inspiration exercise the inspiratory muscles and especially the diaphragm, while the expiration cause a strong contraction of the muscles of expiration. A truly fine respiratory exercise, and more valuable than is generally supposed.

Made of brass throughout, handsomely nickel-plated.  Easily repaired, as the stringing is done on the outside.

Price . . . $30.00

The diverse, quirky and mostly forgotten history of Pulmonary Function testing