U.S. Standard Half Bushel

U.S. Standard Half Bushel

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Description
The Articles of Confederation stated that Congress shall fix “the standard of weights and measures throughout the United States,” and similar language appeared in the Constitution. Little, however, happened until the 1830s when Congress instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish standard weights, measures, and balances to the several states and customs houses. An Office of Weights and Measures was then organized, and placed in the Treasury Department. This heavy brass volume is part of that endeavor. The inscription on the side reads “UNITED STATES STANDARD / HALF BUSHEL / 1842.” It came from the National Bureau of Standards, the agency that was formed in 1901 and took over the metrological functions of the government.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
volumetric measure, u.s. standard half bushel
Date made
1842
Measurements
inside: 19.3 cm x 43 cm; 7 5/8 in x 16 15/16 in
overall: 7 3/4 in x 16 1/2 in; 19.685 cm x 41.91 cm
ID Number
CH.309582
catalog number
309582
accession number
103830
Credit Line
Transfer from Department of Commerce Bureau of Standards
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Medicine and Science: Chemistry
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Data Source
National Museum of American History
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