Loading
Object Overview
This mid-20th-century Cockpit Altimeter was produced by the American company Taylor, which in 1900 acquired the renowned British firm Short & Mason, known for manufacturing meteorological instruments. It is a striking example of mid-century American industrial design, created in the distinctive postwar style of the 1950s and ’60s—a style that now appears simultaneously naive, minimalist, and touchingly utilitarian.
The barometric altimeter is housed in a chrome-plated copper case, set within an outer gray plastic mounting shell designed for dashboard installation. The dial is protected by a domed mineral glass lens, held in place by a slim nickel-plated bezel.
The dial itself is painted in a deep burgundy—a color commonly found in American interior and automotive design of the period. Across this rich backdrop, golden-cream markings and inscriptions are printed in a pragmatic yet decorative style, reminiscent of the household electronics and utility devices of the 1950s and ’60s. This is not gold as opulence, but gold as ornament—the visual equivalent of a morning coffee glinting off a countertop.
n/a
aneroid capsule tensioned on a U-spring
aluminium, brass, chrome, copper, glass, plastic
The typography is simple, geometric, nearly technical, yet with just a hint of stylization—as though nodding to the precision of the pre-war era while embracing the optimism of the postwar boom. The layout of the central inscriptions is perfectly symmetrical, echoing the visual language of radio dials and kitchen scales from that same time.
The concentric altitude scale is calibrated in feet, from 0 to 14,000, with divisions every 200 feet and numerical markings at every 2,000.
In its aesthetic, the instrument captures the spirit of American industrial romanticism from the 1950s and ’60s—an era when even dashboard devices were designed with the flair of a refrigerator, a coffee machine, or the unshakable optimism of consumer confidence. The shape and color scheme could just as easily belong on the front of a 1957 microwave or a Pontiac badge.
The minimalism here is not a stylistic gesture, but the natural result of engineering logic: the dial contains only a scale, a pointer, and a few words. It is entirely purposeful—no decorative frills—and that is precisely its charm. The altimeter does not strive to be fashionable, and as a result, it looks unmistakably vintage today, rather than merely outdated. Its style has come full circle, now re-emerging as ironic retro, as if to say: “I’m from a time when instruments meant business, not branding.”
At the core of the mechanism lies a copper aneroid capsule, tensioned by a C-shaped spring, also made of copper. The main brass lever rests freely on a rotating shaft, which in turn is linked to a pull rod and a thin nylon thread leading to the pointer arbor. This thread transmits the vertical motion of the barometric mechanism—through a system of levers and bearings—into the rotary motion of the pointer. In most aneroid barometers, this role is typically played by a fine steel chain made of miniature links, but here it is replaced with a thread—a simpler yet no less functional solution.
To begin measuring altitude with the altimeter, the index hand must first be set to the current known elevation, which will serve as the starting reference point for all subsequent readings. This is done using a chrome-plated lever that slightly protrudes from the top of the instrument housing. The lever is directly attached to the main frame of the altimeter, which supports the entire movement, and it passes through a circular opening in the center of the case.
When the lever is pushed to the left or right, it rotates the entire movement inside the housing, while the dial itself remains stationary. Pushing the lever to the left causes the movement to rotate counterclockwise, and the altitude indicated by the index hand increases. Conversely, pushing the lever to the right rotates the movement clockwise, and the altitude values decrease.
This elegant mechanical solution is one that Taylor frequently employed in its aneroid barometers as a way to set the instrument to the user’s local elevation.
The altimeter comes in its original heavy-duty cardboard box, along with a detailed instruction leaflet. Interestingly, the manufacturer explicitly suggests using the instrument as a standard barometer for weather forecasting. A quote from the original instruction reads:
“Since all altimeters are essentially aneroid barometers, they respond to pressure changes caused by altitude or weather. If the pointer is set to zero at night, it will show in the morning whether the atmospheric pressure has risen or fallen:
This instrument is more than just a gauge—it is a small, elegant window into a time when form followed function, and even the most technical tools carried the warm, optimistic polish of a golden age in American design.
Here is the full text of the original Taylor Altimeter-Barometer Instruction Manual:
Taylor Altimeter-Barometer Instruction Manual
Whether you’re driving, flying, cycling, climbing, traveling, or camping — this handy pocket instrument will prove useful and interesting. It is easy to carry or mount on virtually any vehicle, and it helps you determine your altitude. There are no moving parts to break or wear out — no maintenance required.
How It Works:
The basic mechanism consists of a thin metal diaphragm from which most of the air has been removed. This diaphragm or sealed chamber is fixed in place with a metal clamp and a C-shaped spring. Because the diaphragm contains a partial vacuum, it tends to collapse under external atmospheric pressure. The spring maintains a balance against this collapsing force.
Changes in atmospheric pressure — whether caused by changes in altitude or by shifting weather — disturb this balance. Each slight movement is transmitted to the pointer, which moves accordingly across the graduated scale.
How to Use:
Set the pointer to your known starting elevation using the lever at the top of the case. All subsequent readings will then indicate actual elevation above sea level, measured in feet. To measure height above a specific point, simply set the pointer to zero at that location.
On long trips, it is recommended to record the pointer’s position each evening and restore it to that value the following morning. If, during the day, the pointer no longer corresponds to a known elevation, the difference is most likely due to a change in atmospheric pressure (not actual altitude). In such cases, the instrument should be recalibrated using a known reference point.
Using as a Weather Forecaster:
Since all altimeters are essentially aneroid barometers, they respond to pressure changes caused by either altitude or weather conditions. If you set the pointer to zero in the evening, you can determine by morning whether the pressure has risen or fallen: A rise in pressure (clockwise movement of the pointer) indicates cooler weather, decreasing wind, and clearer skies; A drop in pressure (counter-clockwise movement of the pointer) indicates warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and increasing wind.
Mounting the Altimeter-Barometer:
The Taylor Altimeter-Barometer is a convenient pocket-sized instrument for all outdoor enthusiasts. Thanks to the adjustable mounting bracket, it can be easily attached to the windshield post, dashboard frame, bicycle, motorcycle, or glider — anywhere a suitable screw is available. A single screw is enough to securely mount the instrument.