Convert Fahrenheit to Wedgwood like an 18th-century potter

Ever wondered how Josiah Wedgwood - yes, the pottery guy - measured kiln temperatures before thermometers existed? His quirky Wedgwood scale helped shape ceramic history. While you won't find °W on modern thermostats, converting between Fahrenheit and this antique unit reveals fascinating stories about early industrial innovation.

Unit definitions

What is a fahrenheit (°F)?

• Description: The temperature scale Americans can't quit, used alongside Celsius in few other countries
• Symbol: °F
• Common uses: Weather reports, oven settings, medical thermometers in the US
• Definition: Freezing point at 32°F, boiling at 212°F (at sea level)

What is a wedgwood (°W)?

• Description: Obsolete thermal scale based on clay shrinkage
• Symbol: °W
• Common uses: 1782-1840s pottery kilns, historical research
• Definition: 1°W = 130°F increase from 39.6°F baseline

Conversion formula

°W = (°F - 39.6) / 80

Example calculations

1. Room temperature (68°F):
   (68 - 39.6) / 80 = 0.355°W
   Your living room sits at about a third of a Wedgwood unit.
2. Pizza oven (800°F):
   (800 - 39.6) / 80 = 9.505°W
   That's nearly 10 Wedgwood units for perfect crust!

Conversion tables

Fahrenheit to Wedgwood

Wedgwood to Fahrenheit

From teapots to thermodynamics

Josiah Wedgwood's 1782 invention wasn't just about making prettier china. His "pyrometer" solved a real industrial problem. Potters needed consistent heat control, but existing methods involved literally eyeballing clay color changes. Wedgwood's system used small clay cylinders that shrank predictably at high temps. Each °W represented 130°F above 39.6°F (a handy starting point for meauring kiln heats).

Funny enough, this pottery scale influenced later scientists. Charles Darwin's grandfather Erasmus Darwin collaborated with Wedgwood, connecting temperature measurement to broader scientific inquiry. While modern kilns use digital sensors, some artisan potters still reference °W when recreating historical techniques.

Interesting facts

1. Wedgwood's test pieces could withstand up to 32,000°F (theoretical limit) before complete fusion
2. The scale was calibrated using mercury thermometers... which ironically couldn't survive kiln temperatures
3. 1°W equals exactly 80°C when calculated from its baseline
4. Josiah Wedgwood never saw his scale widely adopted due to measurement inconsistencies
5. Modern recreation attempts show ±14°C accuracy compared to digital pyrometers

FAQ