The general arrangement of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. A vertical steel rod AA of circular cross-section is fixed to a heavy cast-iron base Z shown diagrammatically in the figure. The rod AA is bent by a load applied to the end of the horizontal bar BC carried by the upper end of A A. The point of application of the load is defined by a transverse groove cut in the bar. The rod AA passes through the two metal plates DD, FF, which are soldered to the rod, the faces of these plates being horizontal.