The triangles in the mathematics collections illustrate the products sold by leading American makers of drawing instruments, including Darling, Brown & Sharpe of Providence, R.I.; and Keuffel & Esser of New York City. An American inventor, LeRoy J. Leishman, devised the Arcascope triangle and combination instrument. The objects on this page also show a transition from triangles made from steel, wood, and rubber to triangles made from plastic. The change in materials in the early 20th century has created a problem for preserving these instruments, as celluloid-based plastics are chemically unstable. Several of these objects are deteriorating despite efforts to store them in a controlled environment.
