Object Details
Description
This layered, curved wooden rule has a twisted handle with an ivory crown at the end. A piece of whalebone (2.4 X 1.5 cm) is carved with two horizontal lines and an "X" and is fastened to the rule just below the handle. The measuring part of the rule is 52 cm (20-1/2") long, considerably shorter than the average Dutch el (68–72 cm), a traditional "arm's length" measure used before The Netherlands adopted the metric system in 1820. Also unlike Dutch els such as MA.318246, MA.318247, and MA.325404, there are no grooves marking off distances. Instead, horizontal rows of three nails are placed 5, 9.2, 17.8, and 35 cm from the base of the handle. A diagonal row of four nails is adjacent to the last horizontal row. One layer of wood has been removed from the tip of the rule.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Bruno Kisch
date made
before 1820
ID Number
MA.318248
accession number
235392
catalog number
318248
Object Name
scale rule
Physical Description
whalebone (overall material)
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: .7 cm x 68.7 cm x 1.6 cm; 9/32 in x 27 1/16 in x 5/8 in
place made
Netherlands, The
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Scale Rules
Measuring & Mapping
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Rule, Measuring
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_904634