Mechans Engine Indicator Dial
A ship’s engine indicator dial, made by Mechans Ltd of Scotstoun, Glasgow. Enamelled steel.
Concorde Jet Engine Vanes
A pair of nozzle guide vanes from the Rolls-Royce Olympus engine from a Concorde supersonic aircraft. Made out of waspaloy, a high temperature nickel alloy.
IBM Greenock Plan
A plan of one of the big production buildings at IBM Greenock, Spango Valley.
Paton’s Mill Printing Plate
A copper printing plate from William Paton’s spinning mill in Johnstone, showing an aerial view of the mill buildings. Shown below as it is, and how it would have looked when printed.
1864 Sulman Glasgow Panorama
A hand-coloured copy of Thomas Sulman’s 1864 panorama of Glasgow, mapped in incredible detail from a hot air balloon. Originally published in The Illustrated London News.
Brass Rolls Royce Jet Engine
A brass model Rolls Royce turbofan jet engine, with moving fan blade. Perhaps a promotional model.
Explosive Testing Slide Rules
A pair of slide rules – one in wood, one in plastic – used to compare the power of various explosives, tested on a device called a ballistic pendulum. From Nobel’s Explosives, Ayrshire.
Wooden Rudder Model
A wooden model of a ship’s rudder and stern frame, maker unknown.
Curta Type II Mechanical Calculator
A Type II Curta mechanical calculator, made in Lichtenstein by Contina AG. A larger version with more registers than the Type I., but with the same ingenious handheld design.
Cordite Press Chalk Board
A chalk board from one of the cordite pressing houses at the ICI Nobel factory at Ardeer, in Ayrshire.
Robert Elder & Co Pay Token
A 3d pay token from the Fairfield shipyard of Robert Elder & Co.