Technikatörténeti szemle 10. (1978)

A MÉRÉS ÉS A MÉRTÉKEK AZ EMBER MŰVELŐDÉSÉBEN című konferencián Budapesten, 1976. április 27–30-án elhangzott előadások II. - Rotter, F.: A hitelesítő szolgálat fejlődése Ausztriában az elmúlt 200 évben

Within the same period falls also the creation of the Metric Convention on May 20, 1875. It is perhaps no mere chance that Emperor Franz Joseph ratified the Metric Convention for Austria and for Hungary on December 31, 1875, in the castle of Budapest, one day before both countries became definitively metric. The new law did not only bring about metric measures, it created also national verification offices which were under the supervision of the newly created NormalEichungs-Kommission. All weights and measures offices that have been operated by about 2,700 local authorities in Austria and in Hungária were either closed down or turned into national verification offices. In spite of this reduction of the number of weights and measures offices, there still remained 123 verification offices on the territory of the present Republic of Austria. In 1875 only 64 have been left, in the majority auxiliary offices without personnel. Regular verification offices, which are permanently occupied by personnel, are existing only 13. However a hundred years ago almost all weights and measures offices were occupied by only one person, today 4 persons are the minimum in Austria. The Normaleichungskommission was established in 1872. Its first director was Dr. HERR. Likewise in 1872 new weights and measures regulations and a schedule of fees were published. In addition to the supervision of the verification offices the Normaleichungskommission has instituted also a comprehensive calibration service. Since 1891 thermometers were certified, since 1892 in addition water meters, and since 1894 electricity meters. In 1907 the Normaleichungskommission was authorized to test measuring instruments of any kind. After the First World War the Normaleichungskommission was liquidated in 1923. The metrological service was combined with the national geodetic service and thus the „Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen" came into existence. This office is divided into three sections, one of which is competent for the metrological service. The metrological service is operating on the basis of the Weights and Measures Law of 1950, brought up to date in 1973. This Law stipulates all legal units of measurement, all measuring instruments liable to verification, and the organization of the metrological service. It was already in 1950 that this law has contained all Si-units fixed by the General Conference on Weights and Measures at that time, e.g. the Newton and the Joule. The amendment of the law, effected in 1973 is based fully on the International System of Units. Today the staff of the Austrian metrological service is consisting of 280 members. Last year about 2 million measuring instruments have been verified or tested. In addition 24 million medical syringes have been submitted to random tests. The few still existing verification offices are in the first line a base of operation for our verification officials. The main work is done outside the verification offices at the localities of the manufacturer or user of the measuring instruments. Among the 27 vehicles of our service, there are mobile verification offices, crane vehicles for the verification of big scales, and special vehicles for the verification of petrol pumps. Moreover a great many of verification officials are using also their own private cars, and are getting a compensation for it. This working method is neces-