[The wine merchant as weight watcher].

Area of Science:

• Historical analysis
• Social history
• History of measurement

Background:

• Berry Brothers & Rudd Ltd, established in the 18th century, initially traded in colonial goods.
• The company's operations necessitated the use of scales for trade.
• This historical context laid the foundation for the collection of weight data.

Observation:

• Customer purchases of coffee provided opportunities for weighing sessions.
• Over time, detailed weight records were meticulously kept.
• Seven leather-bound ledgers document these historical weight measurements.

Findings:

• The ledgers contain weight histories of British nobility and gentry dating back to 1765.
• Analysis of these records reveals consistent practices of body weight measurement.
• These historical practices predate the clear understanding of body weight's link to health.

Implications:

• Provides insight into historical public health and social practices.
• Demonstrates early societal interest in body weight independent of health concerns.
• Highlights the value of historical ledgers as sources for social and medical history research.