Pantograph in Case by Cary of London

Description:

This brass pantograph consists of four linked rods with rectangular cross section. The two longer rods are about 49.5 cm. (19 ½ inches) long. The two shorter rods are about 9 inches and ten inches long. Marks near the ends of the rods away from the fulcrum read: B; D; [nothing]; C. Two adjacent rods (those marked B and D) are marked from 11:12 to 2:3 near one end and from 1:2 to 1:12 further up. Slides on these rods carry round holders. A round stone disc placed into the fixed outermost holder anchors the pantograph. A tube with a cup at one end fits into either of the two remaining round holders (the tube would hold a pencil point; the cup would hold pebbles, shot, or some other weight to keep the pencil on the paper). The tracer point which would go in the other holder is missing. The pantograph moves over the paper on four ivory wheels. A mark on the top of one arm reads: Cary London. The instrument fits in a shaped wooden case.

According to Gloria Clifton, from 1789 until 1891 William Cary, his descendants, and their associates in London sold instruments, including a pantograph, under the name Cary.

This instrument was once at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Compare MA.317868, MA.327891, MA.334888, and 2005.0182.8.

Reference:

Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851, Zwemmer, 1995, p. 51.

Maker: Cary, William

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United Kingdom: England, London

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

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

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Museum of Science and Industry

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MA.327891Accession Number: 271855Catalog Number: 327891

Object Name: Pantograph

Physical Description: stone (overall material)brass (overall material)steel (overall material)Measurements: overall: 9.6 cm x 53.5 cm x 14 cm; 3 25/32 in x 21 1/16 in x 5 1/2 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-3f62-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_904626

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