Casgliadau Arlein

Black plastic Alolmeter with Blood Alcohol gauge on front. In original box with screwdriver and instructions.

The Breathalyser. The most widely used form of breath-screening equipment that police forces the world over use was born in Cardiff, at the university’s School of Chemistry.

This range of instruments, known as the ‘Lion Alcolmeters’, was the invention of Dr T.P. Jones, who was a lecturer at the School. Following his basic research studies into breath testing, Dr Jones was given a leave of absence for two years to set up a company, Lion Laboratories Ltd., to manufacture and market the units. They proved to be so successful that Dr Jones did not return to academic life, but concentrated on the development of what was to become one of Wales’ most successful small hi-tec organisations. For his services to local industrial development, Dr Jones was awarded the OBE in 1988.