Colour measuring equipment

Visual colorimeters

Instruments which measure the colour of liquids or solids are known as colorimeters. Colorimeters were optical instruments which used the human eye to judge colour.

 

The most important early colorimeter was the Tintometer. This was developed in 1885 by J W Lovibond, a brewer who first used it for recording the colour of malt worts and beer to help ensure consistent product. Within a few years the instrument was in use in the dye and pigment manufacturing and using industries.