Object Details
maker
Fujishima
Description
A rectangular paulownia wood case has a red and white sticker on the right end marked: No. 45 (/) M. Inside the case are six bamboo rulers, four that are just over 12" (about 31 cm) long and two that are 2-1/4" (15.5 cm).
The first rule is marked in Japanese: Made by Fujishima. It is also marked: 3500. The scales along both edges are identical, 30 cm long, divided to single units, and numbered by twenties from 0 to 1,040. The back of the rule is stamped in red: METRE. It is also marked: 1 (/) 3500. It is also marked: 1.
The second rule is marked in Japanese: Made by Fujishima. It is also marked: 50. The scales along both edges are identical, 12" long, divided to tenths of a unit, and numbered by ones from 0 to 72. The back of the rule is stamped in red: INCH. It is also marked: 1 (/) 50. It is also marked: 4.
The third rule is marked in Japanese: Made by Fujishima. It is also marked: 25. Both edges have scales for 1" to the foot and 1/2" to the foot along one edge. The back of the rule is stamped in red: FOOT. It is also stamped: 1 (/) 25. It is also stamped: 2.
The fourth rule is marked in Japanese: Made by Fujishima. It is also marked: 2500. The scales along both edges are identical, 30 cm long, divided to single units, and numbered by tens from 0 to 750. The back of the rule is stamped in red: METRE. It is also marked: 1 (/) 250 (not 2,500). It is also marked: 6.
The fifth and sixth rules have scales that are 1-15/16" long. Both rules are divided along both edges into four units that are subdivided into tenths. On the fifth rule, the scales are numbered by tens from 0 to 40. The back is stamped in red: 1 (/) 250. It is also stamped in red: 13. The scales on the sixth rule are numbered by ones from 0 to 4. The back is stamped in red: 1 (/) 25. It is also stamped in red: 2.
These rules were likely used in engineering and architectural drawing. Compare to MA.261283, MA.261284, MA.261285, and MA.261287. The rules were exhibited by the Japanese Empire Department of Education at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. They then were displayed by the Museum of the U.S. Bureau of Education until 1906 and transferred to the Smithsonian National Museum in 1910. For more information, see MA.261298 and MA.261313.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Transfer from Bureau of Education, Department of the Interior
date made
before 1876
ID Number
MA.261286
catalog number
261286
accession number
51116
Object Name
scale rules, set of
rules, set of
Physical Description
bamboo (overall material)
wood (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 4.2 cm x 33 cm x 4.6 cm; 1 21/32 in x 13 in x 1 13/16 in
place made
Japan
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Scale Rules
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Expositions and Fairs
Rule, Measuring
Drafting, Engineering
Drawing Instruments
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1215106