Keuffel & Esser 1392P Open Divided Scale

This 13" boxwood scale rule has a white celluloid coating along both long edges. The top edge has scales for 1" and 1/2" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to 1/2", numbered from left to right by ones from 1 to 11, and numbered from right to left by ones from 0 to 21. The bottom edge has scales for 1/8" and 1/4" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to 1/8", numbered from left to right by fours from 0 to 96, and numbered from right to left by twos from 0 to 48. The middle of the rule is marked: PARAGON 1392P K+E KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. The back of the rule is marked: D. B.

Keuffel & Esser of New York City began using the logo shown on this object in 1943, but did not start printing it on instruments until 1949. That year, model 1392P sold for $4.00. The company changed its model numbers in 1962.

Isaac Giacinto Molella, who worked as an electrical engineer for General Electric in the United States, North Africa, and Europe in the 1950s, owned this scale. Presumably he acquired it secondhand from someone with the initials D.B.

References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 40th ed. (New York, 1944), 128; K+E Price List, 41st ed. (New York, 1949); Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 42nd ed. (New York, 1954), 180.

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