Blackboard Drawing Instrument, Curve, Hyperbola and Ellipse

Description:

This flat wooden blackboard curve has a handle held vertically by screws. A mark on the top edge reads: ELLIPSE. Three marks along that edge indicate endpoints of axes of the ellipse. A mark on the bottom edge reads: HYPERBOLA. A mark at the center of the bottom edge indicates the turning point of the hyperbola. A hole on the right side allows one to suspend the instrument.

Compare 1982.0795.36, which has a similar handle and general construction.

The instrument came to the Smithsonian from the Mathematics Department of the University of Michigan in 1964.

Reference:

Accession File.

Date Made: ca 1900

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: MathematicsDrawing Instruments

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Curves, Science & Mathematics

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of the Department of Mathematics, The University of Michigan

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1982.0795.37Accession Number: 1982.0795Catalog Number: 1982.0795.37

Object Name: Curve

Physical Description: wood (overall material)Measurements: overall: 2.5 cm x 43.3 cm x 25 cm; 31/32 in x 17 1/16 in x 9 27/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-50f9-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_904426

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