Object Details
maker
Knopf
Description
This German silver bow pencil has a handle engraved in a honeycomb pattern above a ring. A spiral is engraved on a disc below the ring. The width of the instrument is adjusted with a corroded metal nut between the legs. The two small screws on the front of the legs that adjust the metal and pencil points appear to be different from each other. The bow nut is marked: MADE IN USA. The nut adjusting the metal point is marked: KNOPF (/) GERMANY. The initials RW are scratched into the leg with the pencil point.
According to the donor, her husband, electrical engineer Robert H. Wieler (1923–1993), used the instrument. Jürgen Knopf began manufacturing drawing instruments and chalk in Hehlen, Germany, in 1950. He sold the company in 2010 and it was renamed PyCom. Since the object is marked as made in two different countries, it is possible that it was put together from parts of other compasses.
References: PyCom GmbH & Co. KG, "About Us," http://pycom.eu/en/index.php?categoryid=8; accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Norma P. Wieler
date made
mid 20th century
ID Number
1998.0032.10
catalog number
1998.0032.10
accession number
1998.0032
Object Name
bow pencil
bow pencil
Physical Description
graphite (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 1 cm x 4 cm x 14 cm; 13/32 in x 1 9/16 in x 5 1/2 in
place made
Germany
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Dividers and Compasses
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Drawing Instruments
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_694133