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Hi All,
Sending this out on behalf of an enquiry we have received. Are there any museums/collections out there that have information regarding the history of odometers? Please see below for details
As a side part of my research I am also doing an in depth study of the Odometer that Ben Franklin reportedly had and may have used on one of these trips, but again there are no records. The device may have been made in England and brought back with him after his visit 1757 to 1762. It is made of brass and my initial assessment is that it was made by a clock maker as there are several gears [sprocket, worm and helical] and based on a 10 to 1 ratio.
The purpose apparently was to do a more accurate assessment of distances [or find shorter routes] between post offices in order to set the rates.
We don’t have anything really at the BPMA ourselves, and I am recommending he make contact with the Benjamin Franklin house but any further pointers would be gratefully received!
Thanks
Emma
Emma Harper
Curator (Move Planning)
T 07736 786309
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The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA)
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