Object Details
maker
Schoenner, Georg
Description
This folding cardboard case is covered with black leather and lined with green velvet. It is fastened with a brass snap that is marked with a pi symbol and with a backward letter R and the letter G. Inside the lid is marked: TECHNICAL SUPPLY Co. (/) SCRANTON PA. The set includes:
1) 6" German silver drawing compass with removable pencil point, pen point, extension bar, and needle point. On one side, the hinge is marked: SCHOENNER. On the other side, the hinge has the Schoenner logo (overlapping S, G, and two two-headed arrows) and the letters: D. R. P.
2) 3-1/4" German silver pen handle.
3) 6" German silver and steel fixed-leg dividers. On one side, the hinge is marked: SCHOENNER. On the other side, the hinge has the Schoenner logo (overlapping S, G, and two two-headed arrows) and the letters: D. R. P.
4) 1-5/16" cylindrical metal case for leads. Three pencil leads are loose in the tray of the wallet case.
5) 5" steel drawing pen. The handle is painted black.
6) 4" steel bow pen and bow pencil.
7) 1" metal joint tightener.
Technical Supply Company sold drawing materials in Scranton, Pa., by 1903. This set does not resemble any of the sets in the firm's 1912 catalog. Compare to 1989.0305.05. For other sets with Schoenner instruments, see 1977.0279.01, 1977.1101.0097, 1979.0868.01, 1990.0350.01, 1990.0690.01, and MA.317925.04.
Dr. Robert P. Multhauf (1919–2004), who owned this set, graduated from Iowa State College in 1941, served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1947, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1953. He joined the Smithsonian in 1954 and directed the Museum of History and Technology (later the National Museum of American History) from 1966 to 1969. After serving in other positions, he retired from the Smithsonian in 1987. He likely purchased this set early in his career.
References: "Dr. Robert P. Multhauf," Marin Independent Journal, May 15, 2004; Bernard S. Finn, "Robert P. Multhauf, 1919–2004," Technology and Culture 46, no. 1 (2005): 265–273.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Robert P. Multhauf
date made
ca 1930-1940
ID Number
1989.3072.01
catalog number
1989.3072.01
nonaccession number
1989.3072
Object Name
drawing instruments, set of
Physical Description
german silver (overall material)
steel (overall material)
leather (overall material)
fabric (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 2.5 cm x 22.5 cm x 10 cm; 1 in x 8 7/8 in x 3 15/16 in
place made
Germany
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Drawing Instruments
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Drafting, Engineering
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1122204