Revolutionary feeder stood the test of time
Design of baby bottle was popular with mums well into 1950s
n the nursery display at Beck Isle Museum, Pickering, you can see an example of an early baby feeder. This banana shaped glass feeder dating from the late 19th century was designed by Allenbury’s Limited. The glass bottle which is approximately 16cm in length is embossed with ‘Allenbury’s Feeder’ AD.1715, the date in which the company was originally founded.
It has a flat base and would have had a rubber teat at one end of the feeder and rubber valve at the other end, although these are missing from the example at Beck Isle Museum.
Allen & Hanbury’s Limited was a British maker and supplier of pharmaceutical goods and scientific instrument maker, incorporated in 1893 when William Allen and Daniel Bell Hanbury joined partnership. Other products produced by Allenbury’s include infant’s food, castor oil and cod liver oil. The food, milk and malt extract part of the Allen and Hanbury’s business was known as ‘Allenbury’s Foods’.
Prior to the invention of this shaped glass feeder, cleaning babies feeding equipment was difficult and unhygienic.
The Allenbury’s feeder was more hygienic than earlier feeders as it was possible to clean them, but it would have far to go to meet modern standards.
The feeder is displayed next to its original box, which reads ‘Simplest, Safest and Best’. The lid of the box lifts to reveal directions for use. This design of baby ‘s bottle proved so popular that it sold well into the 1950s.
The museum is closed over the winter period for maintenance, cleaning and changing of displays and will re-open on Saturday February 23 for the 2019 season.
Please visit www. beckislemuseum.org.uk to check opening times and information about our 2019 events and exhibition.