Object Details
Description
This German silver and steel instrument has a white celluloid measuring wheel and vernier. It is in the general style of an Amsler fixed-scale planimeter, but it has no registering dial. The 4" tracer arm and 6" pole arm are connected by a hinge and form a circle around the measuring wheel when the instrument is closed. The cylindrical weight is screwed to a short revolving arm that is screwed on top of the pole arm. The lengths of the arms are not adjustable.
A wooden case covered with black leather is lined with black velvet. White trim is around the inside edges of the case. A small piece of paper glued inside the bottom of the case is marked: 0.01 [square] in.
There is no mark for a maker or distributor, but this instrument closely resembles a planimeter sold by the Eugene Dietzgen Company in 1926 as model 1800 for $17.75. Compare to MA.318485.
The instrument was received at the Smithsonian in 1989.
Reference: Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 12th ed. (Chicago, 1926), 180.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of LaVerne Watkins
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
1989.0305.01
accession number
1989.0305
catalog number
1989.0305.01
Object Name
planimeter
Physical Description
german silver (overall material)
steel (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
wood (overall material)
leather (overall material)
fabric (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements
case: 5 cm x 18.2 cm x 5 cm; 1 31/32 in x 7 5/32 in x 1 31/32 in
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Planimeters
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Engineering
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1214960