18 Strange Ways People Used to Measure the Temperature
Long before the invention of modern thermometers, humans devised a variety of novel methods for measuring temperature and detecting heat and cold, ranging from everyday objects to natural phenomena. These unusual methods reflect previous generations' ingenuity and resourcefulness in understanding and tracking temperature.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Before digital thermometers and weather apps, people used a variety of unconventional methods to measure temperature. These innovative techniques, ranging from observing animal behavior to using objects with distinct properties, assisted them in determining how hot or cold it was. Although many of these methods are no longer used, they provide an intriguing glimpse into how humans interacted with their surroundings before modern technology. This article shows 18 unusual ways people used to measure temperature, highlighting the historical innovation behind them.
1. Ice Melting Speed
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In ancient times, people measured temperature by how quickly ice melted. Melting times were faster when temperatures were higher and slower when temperatures were lower. This method was commonly used in agricultural societies to forecast the weather for farming purposes.
2. Thermometric Liquids
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Before modern mercury thermometers, people tracked temperature with various liquids in glass tubes, such as alcohol or oil. The liquid would expand or contract in response to temperature changes, providing a simple but effective method for determining heat or cold. These thermometers were often homemade and less accurate than modern models but were widely used.
3. Mercury and Gold Coins
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In some cultures, gold coins were heated and exposed to the sun to determine the temperature based on how quickly they cooled. The faster they cooled, the warmer the air temperature became. This method was not very precise, but it was an interesting way to measure temperature in historical settings.
4. Animal Behavior
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People have long used animals’ reactions to temperature changes to predict the weather. For example, the movement of ants in the summer and the behavior of birds in the winter may indicate rising or falling temperatures. This folk method relied heavily on natural cues to predict temperature changes.
5. Boiling Water
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Some used the time it took for water to boil to determine heat. The faster the water reached boiling point, the hotter the surrounding air. This method was widely used for rough estimates, particularly in areas where thermometers were scarce.
6. Red Hot Iron
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In ancient civilizations, a red-hot iron was occasionally used to measure temperature. The iron was exposed to air, and its color change was thought to indicate the amount of heat present. While not completely accurate, this provided people with a basic understanding of temperature changes in their environment.
7. Wax and Temperature
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Wax was used as an early method of measuring temperature. A piece of wax would melt at a specific temperature, allowing people to estimate the current heat level. This was especially useful in situations where other temperature tools were unavailable.
8. Weather Stones
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Weather stones, also known as “weather rocks,” were large stones thought to indicate temperature. For example, if the stone was wet, it was assumed to be raining, while if it was dry, it was assumed to be clear. While this was a humorous and imprecise method of measuring temperature and weather, it was widely used.
9. The Sun’s Position
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Before thermometers, many people used the sun’s position to determine the heat of the day. The higher the sun appeared in the sky, the hotter it was thought to be. This method was simple and applicable to everyday life but did not account for other variables such as humidity or cloud cover.
10. The Shivering Test
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One way to estimate cold temperatures was to see how long people or animals could stay outside before shivering. A longer period without shivering indicated that the air was warmer. This natural method was a simple way to understand temperature but wasn’t particularly scientific.
11. The Boiling Egg Method
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In some cultures, the time required to boil an egg was used to estimate temperature. Longer boiling times indicated higher temperatures, whereas shorter times indicated lower temperatures. This method had some merit, but it lacked the precision of modern techniques.
12. Bread Baking
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In some areas, people would bake bread to test the temperature of an oven or even the outside conditions. The faster the bread rose, the hotter the surroundings were thought to be. This technique linked temperature to everyday life and food preparation, making it a useful method.
13. The Milk Test
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Some people tested the heat by pouring milk into an open container and observing how quickly it curdled. If the milk curdled quickly, the temperature was assumed to be higher. While this method was related to food production, it could also measure temperature in homes and farms.
14. Tree Sap Flow
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In some areas, people used the flow of sap from trees, especially maple trees, as a natural thermometer. As temperatures rose, the sap began to flow more freely. This method worked well during the spring thaw to forecast warmer weather.
15. The Egg Balance Method
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Another unusual way to measure temperature was to balance an egg on its end at the equinoxes. It was thought that temperature changes during the equinox influenced the egg’s ability to balance. While this method was more folklore than science, it was a well-known seasonal tradition.
16. Sweat on the Skin
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People also used their own bodies to estimate temperature fluctuations. The amount of sweat on a person’s skin and the amount of moisture in the air could indicate the temperature of the surroundings. This method was based on personal experience and closely related to how people felt in various climates.
17. Glass Expansions
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Early glass thermometers occasionally employed the principle of expanding glass. As the temperature rose, the glass expanded, which was used as a rough indicator of the heat. This method was eventually replaced by mercury thermometers, which were far more accurate.
18. Color Changing Flowers
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Certain flowers, such as the marigold, were thought to change color based on temperature. People would look at the flowers and make temperature estimates based on their color. Although unreliable, this method brought nature into the practice of temperature measurement.