The Newton scale is a temperature scale devised by Isaac Newton in 1701. He called his device a "thermometer", but he did not use the term "temperature", speaking of "degrees of heat" instead. Newton's publication represents the first attempt to introduce an objective way of measuring temperature. With Newton using melting points of alloys of various metals such as bismuth, lead and tin, he was the first to employ melting or freezing points of metals for a temperature scale. He also contemplated the idea of absolute zero. Newton likely developed his scale for practical use rather than for a theoretical interest in thermodynamics; he had been appointed Warden of the Mint in 1695, and Master of the Mint in 1699, and his interest in the melting points of metals was likely inspired by his duties in connection with the Royal Mint.