This is a scale that I photographed in the Luxembourg gardens yesterday. I did it, not so much because of the object in itself, but because the light was really fantastic. And then, I investigated a little more: why on earth was there a scale in the middle of the Luxembourg gardens?! Well... Now I know! It's because at the end of the 19th century people started monitoring their weight, while manufacturers invented automatic scales... One of them the Société anonyme française des bascules automatiques, rented 3 spots in the Luxembourg gardens to install paying (5 cents) scales. This one is one of them (well, maybe not the original!) and even though it does not work anymore, it's still there...
You're right... the light in this shot really works beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! I just noticed them for the first time recently, only because I was on a tour of the gardens. You are right, they were installed to monitor the peoples weight in the 1800's but not for the reason you would think, they wanted people to keep their weight UP then!!!! It was more common to get too thin!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhh I did not know that! It makes sense though. Things have changed...
DeleteHi, Eric
ReplyDeleteOne of my life missions is to take a classic photo of the Luxembourg Gardens. I think I finally understand why it's so hard - there's just too much going on in that place to capture in one photo!
Thanks for the picture (and solving the mystery).
Barbara
Yes there is a LOT going on there Barbara!
Deletethey used to have scales much smaller than this in restrooms here on long island for the same reason. & although one would also have to pay a nickle, the scales were no where near as grand.
ReplyDeleteWell throughout the day I've had several testimonies like yours; it seems that monitoring your weight is worldwide concern!
DeleteHow cool! All the time I lived in front of the park, crossed it for the RER and sat in the sun, I avoided these things (for obvious reasons!). Now that I know that they don't work, errr....what the history is, I might pay attention to them more!
ReplyDeleteI think I went to this garden, but only very quickly and did not notice it ;-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, those old "I SHOUT YOUR WEIGHT" weighing machines were never popular.
ReplyDeleteLovely winter/autumn sunlight through the (almost) leafless trees.
Very cool, but it would really be nice if it actually worked—though I wonder how many people (not Michael apparently!) would use it. :~}
ReplyDeletewhat about today's photo ? what is going on ? Eric, where are you ?
ReplyDeleteI must have made a mistake in the scheduling! I just realized 5 minutes ago today's photo did not show up. Sorry...
DeleteA bit unuseful but I can understand the history and the beautiful background you have taken in this post. Once again.
ReplyDeleteYes I needn't automatic scale to monitor your weight Eric. Because each post is good occasion to monitor your weight, and you know it.
What an interesting relic!
ReplyDeletescales in the middle of the park
ReplyDeletehappy to find out why !
I've weighed myself on this scale (or one like it au jardin Luxembourg) many years ago. It worked then. I had forgotten about it until I saw this picture. Thanks for the memory!
ReplyDelete