A MAXIMUM HEIGHT RECORDER; SHORT BROTHERS, AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS LONDON & SHEPPEY, circa 1907, the dial marked 'MAXIMUM HEIGHT RECORDER, SHORT BROTHERS, Aeronautical Engineers, LONDON & SHEPPEY, 168, COMPENSATED', measuring to 1200 feet, in a steel case, with bevelled glass.

5.5cm high x 15cm wide x 17cm deep.

Notes: From balloons to Ballistic missiles - an historic instrument from the founding days of one of the world's most significant Aerospace manufacturers. This very rare instrument was made in limited numbers (this number 168) to record the maximum height obtained by the balloons which the Short brothers manufactured and sold in their early days as Aeronautical engineers. This instrument dates from about 1907.

They abandoned balloons and quickly began to build aeroplanes beginning with Short Biplanes versions 1, 2 and 3. In subsequent years they were associated with more than 120 different types of aeroplane, particularly flying boats in the interwar years and they manufactured war planes in both world wars. For example, they were responsible for versions of the Stirling 2nd world war bomber and later Canberra bombers. More recently they turned their attention to armored vehicles (Shortland S 600), and missiles (Starburst & Starstreak). Wikipedia contains a full account of the remarkable Short Brothers' pioneering aeronautical adventures beginning with balloons, the era with which this instrument is associated. (Vacuum checked)