Detroit Automatic Computing Scale  Fan dial, large capacity

The Detroit Automatic Scale Co. was the distributor of this scale, model 75, but it was not the originator. The total capacity is 100 pounds (45 kg), with 10 pounds on the fan dial, 10 pounds on the tare beam, and 80 pounds that could be added on the hanger. The fan dial price graduation is from 4 to 60 cents per pound. Above the platform is a cylinder in 10-pound increments for calculating amounts beyond the fan-dial chart.

A brochure lists this scale for "Grocers, Butchers, and General Stores." The example shown has been restored; the original having a glass plate and was "Finished in fine blue enamel; gold bronze and special finishes when specially ordered."

The weight hanger is a classic Walter Stimpson design that shows the accumulated weight (see the last photo).

History

In fact, Walter Stimpson was the originator of this scale. The patents are all related to the Stimpson Computing Scale Co. of Detroit. However, this Stimpson company was part of a trust, Computing Scale Company of America. In 1911, the trust dropped the Stimpson company and introduced Detroit Automatic Scale Co.—continuing with the same model numbers (in other words, a Stimpson model 70 became a Detroit Automatic model 70).

To make it more confusing, a 1913 Detroit Automatic brochure used "Stimpson Automatic Computing Scales" as a brand for some scales, probably recognizing the strength of the Stimpson name. For a few years an even older company, the WF Stimpson Co., was the manufacturing arm for Detroit Automatic. 

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