A page from the Illustrated London News, 1951

A page from the Illustrated London News, 1951, showing a reconstruction of Dr. Merryweather of Whitby's Tempest Prognosticator, and an illustration detailing how the device works. The original prognosticator featured in the Great Exhibition of 1851, and was designed to warn of approaching storms. The replica device was reconstructed by Cockade Ltd for display in the 1951 Festival of Britain in the meteorological section of the Dome of Discovery. In it 12 leeches, disposed each in a transparent glass bottle, are arranged in a circle in order that the leeches might see one another and not endure the afflictions of solitary confinement'. Atmospheric pressure agitates the leeches, who rise and move whale bone buttons, sounding the bell and so warning of approaching tempests. See 10423322 for the original 1851 device. Also featured on this page: The open cage and the doves of freedom flying from it, a piece of fantasy artwork in the Lion and Unicorn Pavilion Gallery. Richard Huws mobile fountain on the river front, with movable aluminium leaves, also features

Cockade Forecast Merryweather Meteorological Prediction Reconstructed Replica Tempest Whitby

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