This crazy elaborate gravity operated system is a high tech set up, at least it was over a hundred years ago. It was later replaced with cash registers and well....look how far we have come since. 

I want to share this little gem of history called a Lamson Gravity Operated Cash Railway. A far cry from the speed and convenience of modern day retail transactions (crypto-currency would blow their minds). In 1909, this sophisticated set-up was the latest American retail technology on the scene. I am impressed this tiny little outback Australian town had the foresight to preserve it. 

Incredibly this Lamson system is still sitting fully in tack. It is the only place in the world you will find a Lamson system still in its original shop setting.  I stumbled upon it quite by accident while passing through, Coolamon. We happened to arrive during the towns annual scarecrow festival, so decided to stay for a week and explore this quirky place. The Lamson system is inside the ironically named Up To Date Store. 

So how does it work?

The original Lamson cashier system was a way of securely moving cash in a large department store to a central office. Counter staff at the front of the shop, place cash and a note describing the purchase inside a ball. The ball is then raised up to the roof where it rockets down a winding railway track to the cashier office at the back of the building. The cashier, counts the money, places the change and receipt back into the ball and sends it back on its rolling way to the front counter to give to the customer.  This original lamson system is still operational and we were kindly given a demonstration.The ball fairly rockets along the tracks, high up above in the ceiling of this beautifully preserved department store building.  

The Up To Date Store is an old merchant store built in 1909. It has been lovingly preserved by the local community as a cultural facility. On my visit, the building was fairly empty, except for a china doll exhibition. The original counters, shelves and rooms are all in tack.  

In it's time, the store operated as a large department store, with separate divided areas for groceries, ironmongery, crockery, drapery, millinery, haberdashery, clothing and footwear. Basically anything and everything, from a plough to a piano could be purchased from the Up-To-Date Store.   

So there you go, not something you see every day. Actually it is not something you see unless you happen to visit Coolamon. It is truly amazing what you find off the beaten track, in this big beautiful country of mine. 

Until next time, 

xx Isabella

P.S - I will leave you with a few photos showcasing the delights of Coolamons annual scarecrow festival.