Object Details
Description
This semicircular brass protractor is divided by single degrees and marked by tens from 10° to 170° in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The degree lines are crude and likely engraved by hand rather than by machine. A rounded notch is at the origin point. There is no maker's mark. The Department of Entomology in the National Museum of Natural History acquired this object in the late 19th century for use in research. Since inexpensive (10–25 cents) machine-divided brass protractors were widely available during this time period, it is not clear why the curators purchased an instrument that was so poorly manufactured. The protractor may have been made closer to the late 18th century.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Transfer from National Museum of Natural History
date made
19th century
ID Number
1990.0099.04
accession number
1990.0099
catalog number
1990.0099.04
Object Name
protractor
Physical Description
brass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: .1 cm x 9.5 cm x 4.7 cm; 1/32 in x 3 3/4 in x 1 27/32 in
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Protractors
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Protractor
Entomology
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_904384