Scale Rules -- Rules for Drafting
Rules for Drafting

To create technical drawings such as those presented by the traveling exhibition, Doodles, Drafts, and Designs, draftsmen needed drawing instruments with specialized scales. Most often, their goal was to represent a real-life place or object at a reduced proportion. Thus, drafting rules like those shown on this page were typically marked for making drawings at scales such as 1/8-inch to 1 foot. Sometimes, instead of marking the increments throughout a scale, only the first and last segments of a scale were subdivided to the desired proportion. These were called open divided or architect's scales.
Rules for drafting sometimes had plotting scales. These were divided into equal increments of a useful length, such as 1/2-inch, that could be directly transferred to a drawing such as a surveying map. At both ends, plotting scales typically had diagonal scales. These allowed users to reasonably accurately estimate the decimal division between two markings on a scale. Instruments in this category also may have a line of chords. This projected the distance between the end of a quarter-circle arc and each of the degrees along the arc onto a straight line. Finally, the scales for measuring lengths on rules for drafting were often divided into multiples of 1/10-inch, called chain scales, which were advantageous for activities such as construction or machine work.


-
Plotting Scale Master, Signed John Shearson
- Description
- This brass rule has three plotting scales, one with diagonal scales at both ends (graduated to 1/10" and 1/20") and two with diagonal scales at their right ends (graduated to 1/40" and 1/30"). The first plotting scale is 5" long and divided to 1/2", the second is 2-3/4" long and divided to 1/4", and the third is 3" long and divided to 1/3". A 12" scale of inches runs sequentially across the top of all three scales.
- A decorative pattern is engraved along the top and bottom edges of the instrument. Flat projecting pieces at the left and right ends may have been used to hold rules to be divided on the pattern of this rule. The back of the rule is marked: John Shearson. Since Shearson is not listed in the Webster Signature Database, it is uncertain whether he was the maker or previous owner of this rule. The rule may have been made in England in the 18th century. The Smithsonian acquired it in 1961.
- Reference: Adler Planetarium, Webster Signature Database, http://historydb.adlerplanetarium.org/signatures/; Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550–1851 (London: National Maritime Museum, 1995).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 18th century
- ID Number
- MA.319509
- catalog number
- 319509
- accession number
- 239015
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plotting Scale Signed Benjamin Rittenhouse
- Description
- On one side this brass rule has a 5-1/2" plotting scale, divided to 1/2" and numbered by ones from 4 to 1, with a diagonal scale at the right end. Below the plotting scale is a line of chords and a 6" scale divided to 1/8" and numbered by ones from 1 to 6. This side is marked: Made by Benjamin Rittenhouse. The other side has architect's scales dividing the inch into 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, and 15 parts.
- Benjamin Rittenhouse (1740–1825) was born in Norriton, Penn., and probably learned to make clocks and compasses from his older brother, David Rittenhouse. He served as superintendent of the gunlock factory in Philadelphia during the Revolution, returning to his house in Worcester Township after the war. His surveyor's chain, made by order of Congress in 1796, was adopted as the standard of the U.S. Land Office. He was also the most prolific compass maker working in North America in the late 18th century. He used the signature on this instrument between 1785 and 1796. Rittenhouse went bankrupt in 1801 and spent his latter years in Philadelphia.
- The previous owner of this instrument, Samuel W. Pennypacker II (1910–1980), was the grandson of Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker (1846–1916), who served as governor of Pennsylvania between 1903 and 1907, and who in turn was the grandson of Mathias Pennypacker Jr. (1786–1852). Mathias served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and helped write the state's constitution in 1837. His father, Matthias (1742–1808), may have been the original purchaser of the instrument. Matthias's grandfather, Hendrick Pannebecker (1674–1754), was a surveyor for William Penn.
- References: Deborah J. Warner, "Browse by Maker: B. Rittenouse," National Museum of American History Physical Sciences Collection: Surveying and Geodesy , http://amhistory.si.edu/surveying/maker.cfm?makerid=24; Francois Uzes, "David and Benjamin Rittenhouse," Virtual Museum of Surveying, http://www.surveyhistory.org/rittenhouse1.htm; Bruce R. Forman, "The Worcester Workshop of Benjamin Rittenhouse," Rittenhouse 2 (1988): 82–83; "Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker," http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9987664; Samuel W. Pennypacker, Henrick Pannebecker: Surveyor of Lands for the Penns (Philadelphia, 1894); accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1785–1796
- maker
- Rittenhouse, Benjamin
- ID Number
- 1980.0676.01
- catalog number
- 1980.0676.01
- accession number
- 1980.0676
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plotting Scale
- Description
- On one side this brass rule has an unnumbered scale of chords and architect's scales for making drawings at proportions of 1/5", 1/4", 1/3", 1/2", and 1" to the foot. The other side has 8" plotting scales with diagonal scales at each end. One plotting scale is divided to 1" and numbered by ones from 1 to 8, and the other is divided to 1/2" and numbered by ones from 1 to 16. A badly worn leather sleeve may not be original to the instrument. Compare to 1980.0676.01.
- The Smithsonian's Division of Ethnology received this rule in 1951 and believed it to be of American manufacture.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 19th century
- ID Number
- MA.388991.02
- accession number
- 182022
- catalog number
- 388991
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Darling & Bailey Drafting Rule
- Description
- Four scales of inches are on this two-sided, 12-inch steel rule used for engineering drawing. On one side, nine inches of one scale are divided to 1/10", one inch is divided to 1/20", one inch is divided to 1/50", and one inch is divided to 1/100". Ten inches of the other scale are divided to 1/16", one inch is divided to 1/32", and one inch is divided to 1/64". The ruler is marked: D. & B. (/) BANGOR Me. (/) U.S. Stnd. It is also engraved: W.A.L.
- On the other side, ten inches of one scale are divided to 1/12", one inch is divided to 1/24", and one inch is divided to 1/48". Eleven inches of the other scale are divided to 1/14", and one inch is divided to 1/28". The ruler is engraved: W.A.L.
- A farmer and sawmill owner turned toolmaker, Samuel Darling (1815–1896) apparently first made machine tools in 1846. He built a dividing engine and partnered with Edward H. Bailey in Bangor, Me., in 1852. The next year, Darling received his first patent and bought out Bailey, and by 1854 he was in partnership with Michael Schwartz of Bangor. That business lasted until Darling moved his craftsmen and equipment to Brown & Sharpe's Providence, R.I., workshop in 1866. Thus, this object was made between 1852 and 1853. For a drafting tool invented by Darling, see 1977.0460.01 and 1990.0317.02.
- An unidentified relative of Erasmus Darwin Leavitt Jr. (1836–1916), the renowned American mechanical engineer and designer of steam engines, owned this rule. (None of Leavitt's children had names that began with "W," and his father's name was also Erasmus.)
- References: Samuel Darling, "Apparatus for Grinding and Shaping Metals" (U.S. Patent 9,976 issued August 30, 1853); Davistown Museum, "Registry of Maine Toolmaker Listings," http://www.davistownmuseum.org/TDMtoolMakers.html; Henry Dexter Sharpe, A Measure of Perfection: The History of Brown & Sharpe (North Kingston, R.I.: Brown & Sharpe, 1949), http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id44.html.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1852–1853
- maker
- Darling, Samuel
- ID Number
- 1977.0460.05
- accession number
- 1977.0460
- catalog number
- 336076
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Open Divided Scale Advertising Dexter Brothers
- Description
- This tan plastic scale rule is marked with faux wood grain and has been broken into two pieces. The top edge has scales for 1/2" and 1" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to 1/2", numbered from left to right by ones from 1 to 20, and numbered from right to left by ones from 1 to 10. The bottom edge has scales for 1/8" and 1/4" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to 1/8", numbered from left to right by twos from 1 to 92, and numbered from right to left by ones from 1 to 20 and then by twos from 20 to 46.
- The center of the rule is marked: Use Dexter Brothers' English Shingle Stains. It is also marked: Copyrighted by (/) DEXTER BROS., (/) BOSTON, MASS. According to the Boston Directory of 1869, 1880, and 1900, Dexter Brothers was founded by Charles W., Frank K., Wallace D., and George B. Dexter. The firm manufactured paints, oils, and drugs on Broad Street in Boston. It remained in business at least as late as 1919. The donor, David Shayt, was a National Museum of American History staff member.
- For other open divided or chain scales, see 1981.0933.14, 1981.0933.15, 1992.0433.04, 1998.0032.08, and 1998.0032.09.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1869–1919
- maker
- Dexter Brothers
- ID Number
- 1983.0237.01
- accession number
- 1983.0237
- catalog number
- 1983.0237.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Japanese Diagonal Rule with Slide
- Description
- This brass rule has six diagonal scales (each 1-1/4" or 3.1 cm wide) next to each other, an unmarked slide (3.3 cm wide) with beveled edges at the top and bottom, and a stand or endpiece (3.3 cm deep). The Japanese Empire Department of Education displayed this object at the 1876 World's Fair, the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. It was subsequently transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Education (then part of the Department of the Interior) for a planned museum. The museum closed in 1906 due to high maintenance costs, and the object was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1910.
- Other educational mathematical objects exhibited by Japan in 1876 include MA.261298, MA.261301, MA.261302, MA.261305, MA.261306, and MA.261313.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- before 1876
- ID Number
- MA.261302
- catalog number
- 261302
- accession number
- 51116
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plotting Scale
- Description
- This two-sided boxwood rule has a scale of chords and architect's scales dividing the inch into 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, and 15 parts on one side. A white sticker on that side is marked: 783. The other side has an inch scale divided to 1/10" and numbered by ones from 1 to 6; a scale divided to ones and numbered by tens from 10 to 50 (10 units is approximately 3 cm); and 5" plotting scales with diagonal scales at each end. One plotting scale is divided to 1/2" and numbered by ones from 10 to 1, and the other is divided to 1/4" and numbered by ones from 1 to 18. One edge of the rule is scalloped.
- The previous owner collected more than 1,200 hand tools and machine tools and displayed them at his family's building company in Baltimore, Md. This object was item number 783 in his collection. It probably dates to the turn of the 20th century. Similar scales were sold for 10¢ to 15¢ by Dietzgen (model number 1690) from at least 1902 to 1912 and by Keuffel & Esser (model number 1616) from at least 1892 to 1913. Both companies stopped advertising the object before 1921.
- References: Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 6th ed. (Chicago, 1902), 135; Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 7th ed. (Chicago, 1904), 162; Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 9th ed. (Chicago, 1910–1912), 207; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 23rd ed. (New York, 1892), 126; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 189; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 34th ed. (New York, 1913), 184.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1900
- ID Number
- 1977.1101.0018
- accession number
- 1977.1101
- catalog number
- 1977.1101.0018
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plotting Scale
- Description
- This two-sided six-inch boxwood rule has a scale of chords and architect's scales dividing the inch into 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, and 20 parts on one side. The other side has an inch scale divided to 1/10" and numbered by ones from 1 to 6; a scale divided to single units and numbered by tens from 10 to 50 (10 units is approximately 3 cm); and 5" plotting scales with diagonal scales at each end. One plotting scale is divided to 1/2" and numbered by ones from 10 to 1, and the other is divided to 1/4" and numbered by ones from 1 to 19. The left edge of the rule is scalloped. Compare to 1977.1101.0018.
- Similar scales (with the scallop on the right edge) were sold for 10–15¢ by Dietzgen (model number 1690) from at least 1902 to 1912 and by Keuffel & Esser (model number 1616) from at least 1892 to 1913. Both companies stopped advertising the object before 1921. The Department of Entomology at the National Museum of Natural History used this rule to study its collections.
- References: Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 6th ed. (Chicago, 1902), 135; Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 7th ed. (Chicago, 1904), 162; Catalog of Eugene Dietzgen Co., 9th ed. (Chicago, 1910-1912), 207; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 23rd ed. (New York, 1892), 126; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 189; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 34th ed. (New York, 1913), 184.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1900
- ID Number
- 1990.0099.02
- accession number
- 1990.0099
- catalog number
- 1990.0099.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plotting Scale Signed Gebr. Wichmann
- Description
- On one side this silver-colored metal rule has a 16-cm plotting scale with diagonal scales at each end (graduated to 5 mm and to 1 mm). The plotting scale is divided to centimeters. It is numbered along one edge by hundreds from 0 to 300 (representing a scale drawing at a proportion of 1 cm to 2,000 meters) and along the other edge by twenties from 10 to 150 (representing a scale of 1:1,000). The right end is marked: GEBR. WICHMANN BERLIN.
- The other side has another 16-cm plotting scale with diagonal scales at each end (graduated to 4 mm and to 2 mm). The plotting scale is divided to two centimeters. It is numbered along one edge by hundreds from 0 to 400 (representing a scale of 1:2,500) and along the other edge by hundreds from 0 to 800 (representing a scale of 1:5,000). A cardboard case is covered with black leather and lined with dark blue velvet. The case is marked: GEBR. WICHMANN BERLIN.
- Gebr. Wichmann (Wichmann Brothers) was founded in Berlin in 1873 and continues to distribute office and technology products. Ernst Emil Herzfeld (1879–1948) is believed to have used this scale on archaeological expeditions and excavations in the Middle East between 1903 and 1936.
- References: Gebr. Wichmann, "Wir über uns," http://www.wichmann.de/fip_Ueber_uns-30.html; accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- maker
- Gebr. Wichmann
- ID Number
- 1980.0095.01
- accession number
- 1980.0095
- catalog number
- 1980.0095.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Flexible Ruler Invented by Frank G. Hunt
- Description
- Frank G. Hunt of Buffalo, N.Y., designed this flexible steel rule for drawing straight lines on curved surfaces, such as those of ledger books. The rule has no scales, but it has a small round metal handle in the middle of the front. Nine rectangular clips on the back hold several layers of paper covered by a metal rectangle. The middle clip is marked: EXP. ACC'T. F. G. HUNT (/) PAT'D. FEB.25.02 (/) BUFFALO, N.Y. Hunt distributed the rule via the Hunt Ruler Company in Buffalo at least as late as 1920. By 1922, he had passed away but the firm was expanding.
- References: Frank G. Hunt, "Flexible Ruler" (U.S. Patent 694,061 issued February 25, 1902); "Buyers' Reference Bureau: Rulers: Metal or Steel," The American Stationer and Office Outfitter 86, no. 18 (May 8, 1920): 102; "Hunt Ruler Company Expanding," Office Appliances 36 (July 1922): 49; Buffalo Historical Society, "Buffalonians More or Less Noted, Who Died in 1922," in Reports of the President and Secretary (Buffalo, 1923), 46.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1902–ca 1922
- inventor; patentee
- Hunt, Frank G.
- ID Number
- 1991.0694.02
- accession number
- 1991.0694
- catalog number
- 1991.0694.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
A. H. Abbott & Co. Rule
- Description
- This one-sided boxwood rule is beveled along both long edges. The top edge is divided to half-inches and numbered from 0 to 5. The half-inch points are numbered by twos from 0 to 8. The last half-inch is divided into 12 parts, and the inch to the right of the scale is divided into 24 parts. The other edge is divided to quarter-inches, numbered from left to right by fours from 0 to 44 and numbered from right to left by twos from 0 to 22. The ends of the scale divide 1/8" and 1/4", respectively, into 12 parts.
- The ruler is marked on its interior: A. H. ABBOTT & Co. (/) CHICAGO. It is also marked: U.S.ST'D. Initials are scratched on the ruler: W.F.M. Abbott sold art supplies and mathematical instruments in Chicago in the 19th and 20th centuries. This ruler is not shown in the company's 1896 catalog, but it was advertised for 50¢ in the 1906 catalog. The initials may refer to William F. Meggers (1888–1966), an American spectroscopist long associated with the U.S. National Bureau of Standards. He received his B.A. in physics from Ripon College in 1910, his M.A. in physics from the University of Wisconsin in 1916, and his Ph.D. in physics, mathematics, and astronomy from Johns Hopkins University in 1917.
- References: A. H. Abbott & Co., Drawing Material: Mathematical and Surveying Instruments of Every Description (Chicago, 1906), 185; "Dr. Meggers Dies at 78," The NBS Standard 11, no. 9 (December 1966): 2–3.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1906
- maker
- A. H. Abbott & Co.
- ID Number
- MA.293320.2819
- accession number
- 293320
- catalog number
- 293320.2819
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Keuffel & Esser 1419P Chain Scale
- Description
- This 6" boxwood pocket ruler has a white celluloid coating along both long edges on both sides. On one side, the top edge is divided to 1/10" and numbered by ones in both directions from 0 to 6. The bottom edge is divided to 1/40" and numbered by twos in both directions from 0 to 24. The middle of this side is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER (/) N.Y.; PARAGON (/) 1419P; TRADE MARK (below the K&E eagle logo). It is also marked: LARSEN.
- The other side is divided along the top edge to 1/50" and numbered by twos in both directions from 0 to 30. The bottom edge is divided to 1/30" and numbered by twos in both directions from 0 to 18. The middle of this side is marked: LARSEN. An orange leather sheath is marked: K & E CO. The back of the sheath is marked: P. M. L.
- Keuffel & Esser of New York City sold model 1419P with a celluloid coating from 1913, for $1.35, to at least 1954, for $4.20. The markings on this example suggest it was made between 1913 and 1921.
- William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008) donated this object, which he presumably acquired secondhand from P. M. Larsen. Ellenberger studied electrical and mechanical engineering at The George Washington University between 1925 and 1934. He then worked for the Potomac Electric Power Company and the National Bureau of Standards. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was a civilian construction management engineer for the army from 1954 to 1968, when he became a private consultant.
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 184; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 34th ed. (New York, 1913), 177; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 124; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 213; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 42nd ed. (New York, 1954), 182; "The GW Engineering Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees," http://www.weas.gwu.edu/ifaf/hall_of_fame_inductees_2006.php.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1913–1921
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.14
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.14
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Open Divided Scale
- Description
- This 6" boxwood pocket ruler has a white celluloid coating along both long edges on both sides. On one side, the top edge has scales for 1-1/2" and 3" to the foot. The bottom edge has scales for 3/8" and 3/4" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to centimeters, numbered from left to right by twos from 2 to 12, and numbered from right to left by ones from 1 to 6. The middle of this side is marked: U.S. ST'D. It is also marked: P. M. LARSEN.
- The top edge of the other side has scales for 1/2" and 1" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to 1/2", numbered from left to right by twos from 2 to 8, and numbered from right to left by ones from 1 to 4. The bottom edge has scales for 1/8" and 1/4" to the foot. Between these scales is a scale divided to 1/8", numbered from left to right by fours from 4 to 44, and numbered from right to left by twos from 0 to 22. The middle of this side is marked: P. M. LARSEN.
- Draftsmen used these scales to make construction drawings. Keuffel & Esser sold a similar scale as model 1399P from 1913 to at least 1936. The price in 1913 was $1.35. This object was probably made about the same time as 1981.0933.14, in the 1910s.
- William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008) donated this object, which he presumably acquired secondhand from P. M. Larsen. Ellenberger studied electrical and mechanical engineering at The George Washington University between 1925 and 1934. He then worked for the Potomac Electric Power Company and the National Bureau of Standards. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was a civilian construction management engineer for the army from 1954 to 1968, when he became a private consultant.
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 34th ed. (New York, 1913), 178; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 123; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 212; "The GW Engineering Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees," http://www.weas.gwu.edu/ifaf/hall_of_fame_inductees_2006.php.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1915
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.15
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.15
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Straight Edge Signed Eberhard Faber
- Description
- This undivided, black hard rubber rule is beveled along both long edges. It is marked: EBERHARD FABER (/) NEW YORK. John Eberhard Faber (1822–1879) began making pencils in New York City in 1861. In 1872 his factory moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn, where it remained until 1956. The company also made and sold other office supplies, expanding in 1898 by forming the Eberhard Faber Rubber Company of Newark, N.J., to make erasers and rubber bands. Compare this object to MA.319738.
- Reference: Donald G. Presa, "Eberhard Faber Pencil Company Historic District Designation Report," New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, 2007, http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/reports/Eberhard_Faber.pdf.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- early 20th century
- maker
- Faber, Eberhard
- ID Number
- MA.327306
- accession number
- 266152
- catalog number
- 327306
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Straight Edge Signed I. R. C. Co.
- Description
- This undivided black hard-rubber rule is beveled along both long edges. It is marked: I. R. C. CO. (/) GOODYEAR. Scratched on the back of the rule is: Brereton. IRC, or Inoue Rubber Company, was established in Japan in 1926 to make bicycle tires and tubes. The reference to Goodyear is likely to the manufacturing process pioneered by Charles Goodyear and not to the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Brereton was presumably the original owner of the instrument, which was acquired by the Museum in 1961. Compare to MA.327306.
- Reference: IRC Tire, "About Us," http://www.irc-tire.com/en/bc/company/
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1926–1961
- ID Number
- MA.319738
- accession number
- 239019
- catalog number
- 319738
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Keuffel & Esser 1453P Chain Scale
- Description
- This 12" boxwood rule is beveled along both long edges and faced with white celluloid. One edge is divided to 1/16" and numbered by ones from 0 to 12. The other edge is on the back of the rule and is divided to 1/32", numbered by ones from 0 to 12. The front of the rule is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co (/) N.Y. It is also marked: PARAGON. It also has K&E's eagle logo with the mark: TRADEMARK. It is also marked: RHW.
- Keuffel & Esser added model 1453 to its Paragon line in 1936, when the model number was 1453PR and the price was $1.85. The model number was still 1453PR by 1954. According to the donor, the instrument was used by her husband, the electrical engineer Robert H. Wieler (1923–1993).
- References: Catalogue and Price List of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 214; Catalogue and Price List of Keuffel & Esser Co., 42nd ed. (New York, 1954), 184.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1940
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1998.0032.06
- catalog number
- 1998.0032.06
- accession number
- 1998.0032
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Alteneder Opposite Bevel Chain Scale Retailed by B. K. Elliott
- Description
- This six-inch wooden ruler is beveled and coated with white plastic along both long edges. One side is divided to 1/50" and numbered in both directions from 0 to 6. The number "50" is printed below the three-inch mark, and the center of the rule is marked: ALTENEDER. The other side is divided to 1/32" and numbered in both directions from 0 to 6. The number "32" is printed below the three-inch mark, and the wooden part of the rule is marked: B. K. ELLIOTT Co. PITTSBURGH – CLEVELAND. It is also marked: R. S. C. It is also marked: U.S. ST'D.
- Theodore Alteneder began making drawing instruments in Philadelphia in 1850, and the firm remains in existence as a manufacturer of photoengraving equipment. Byron Kenneth Elliott (b. 1870) opened a store in Pittsburgh in 1897 that sold drawing, surveying, and optical equipment. The shop closed in 1980. The donor's father, Robert S. Condon, used this instrument.
- The date for this object is uncertain. Theo. Alteneder & Sons made a 6" opposite bevel scale with white edges and these divisions as model 2232 from 1940 (when it cost $1.35) to at least 1958 (when it cost $3.25). However, according to catalog illustrations, the company mark during this period had the firm's full name around a circle, while this object has only "Alteneder" in a straight line. The scale does not appear in the 3rd, 5th, or 1948 7th editions of B. K. Elliott catalogs.
- References: "Byron Kenneth Elliott," in History of Pittsburgh and Environs (New York and Chicago: American Historical Society, 1922), 35–36; Alteneder Drawing Instruments (Philadelphia, 1940), 26; Alteneder Drawing Instruments (Philadelphia, 1958), 26; Catalogue and Price List of B. K. Elliott Co., 3rd ed. (Pittsburgh, n.d.), 134, 140; Catalogue and Price List of B. K. Elliott Co., 5th ed. (Pittsburgh, n.d.), 135; Catalogue and Price List of B. K. Elliott Co., 7th ed. (Pittsburgh, 1948).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 20th century
- distributor
- B. K. Elliott Co.
- maker
- Theodore Alteneder and Sons
- ID Number
- 1991.0793.01
- accession number
- 1991.0793
- catalog number
- 1991.0793.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Aristo 1324 Set of Scales
- Description
- These eight white plastic rules have scales dividing 10 centimeters into proportions of 1:75, 1:50, 1:40, 1:33-1/3, 1:30, 1:25, 1:15, and 1:10. They are fastened together inside a brown leather sleeve marked: BLUE (/) WHITE. The words form a logo with a triangle and T-square. The 1:75 rule is marked: ARISTO (/) Nr. 1324. Inside the sleeve is a price tag marked: BLUE & WHITE (/) ESCALA (/) ARISTO (/) NO. 1324 (/) $30.00.
- In 1948 the German slide rule company, Dennert & Pape, was renamed Aristo, after the brand of plastic slide rules the firm was then manufacturing. Aristo stopped manufacturing mathematical instruments in 1978 and turned to computer-aided design. Model 1324 is shown in a 1955 catalog, alongside other rulers and architect's scales. The donor, Sebastian J. Tralongo (1928–2007), served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and then worked for the Vitro Corporation in Rockville, Md., for 35 years. He patented a device for signaling from deeply submerged submarines.
- References: International Slide Rule Museum, "Aristo," http://sliderulemuseum.com/Aristo.htm; Walter Shawlee II, Ted Hume, and Paul Ross, "Aristo Slide Rule Archive," Sphere Research Corporation, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/aristo.html; Aristo Slide Rules & Drafting Instruments (Germany, [1955]), 36; "Tralongo, Sebastian James 'Subby'," Hartford Courant, May 26, 2007; Sebastian J. Tralongo, "Submarine Signal Device" (U.S. Patent 2,989,024 issued June 20, 1961); "Vitro Corp. – Company Profile," http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/25/Vitro-Corp.html.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1948–1978
- maker
- Dennert and Pape
- ID Number
- 1984.1071.03
- accession number
- 1984.1071
- catalog number
- 1984.1071.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Charles Bruning 2710 Chain Scale with Drafting Machine Mounts
- Description
- This 12" beveled aluminum rule is divided to 1/16" and numbered by ones from 0 to 12 along one edge. The other edge is divided to 1/32" and numbered by ones from 0 to 24. In other words, as marks on the rule indicate, the first scale is "full size," for making drawings at a proportion of 1" to the foot, while the second scale is "half size," for making drawings at a proportion of 1/2" to the foot. The center of the rule is also marked: CHARLES BRUNING. A paper table for inches in decimals of a foot is pasted to the rule, partially covering the mark.
- Oblong aluminum mounts at both ends allow the rule to be attached to a drafting machine. Both mounts are marked: VARD INC. (/) PATENT NO. (/) 2192422. Vard Beecher Wallace (1901–1988) of Sierra Madre, Calif., applied for a patent for these attachments in 1939 and received it the next year. He and a partner, Paul H. Ford, operated Vard Mechanical Laboratory, which supplied drafting machines to aircraft engineers such as Allen Lockheed and Jack Northrop, for whom Wallace had previously worked. The firm was renamed Vard, Inc., by 1945 and was purchased by Royal Industries in 1959.
- Charles Bruning (1866–1931) was born in Denmark and immigrated to the United States. In Chicago during the 1890s, he became interested in the blue print business. In 1897, he set up his own blue printing company in Manhattan, which was incorporated as the New York Blue Print Paper Company in 1901. Around 1920,he purchased American Blue Print Company of Chicago, and the combined firms became known as the Charles Bruning Company, Inc.
- The company began to offer this rule in 1948 as model 2710, style C-16. According to the donor, the instrument was used by her husband, the electrical engineer Robert H. Wieler (1923–1993). Compare this object to 1998.0032.14.
- References: Vard B. Wallace, "Drafting Instrument Chuck and Wrench" (U.S. Patent 2,192,422 issued March 5, 1940); Bruce Butler, "Vard Wallace," Glendora Friends Church blog, May 3, 2010, http://glendorafriendschurch.blogspot.com/2010/05/vard-wallace.html; Patrick Conyers and Cedar Phillips, Pasadena 1940–2008, Images of America (Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing, 2009), 59; "Charles Bruning," New York Times (January 31, 1931), 14; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog, 14th ed. (New York, [1948]), 132–134; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog, 15th ed. (New York, 1952), 176.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1948–1959
- maker
- Charles Bruning Company
- ID Number
- 1998.0032.12
- catalog number
- 1998.0032.12
- accession number
- 1998.0032
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Keuffel & Esser 1419W Chain Scale
- Description
- The front of this white and green plastic rule with beveled edges has a scale divided to 1/10" and numbered by ones from 0 to 6 along its top edge. The bottom edge has a scale for 1/4" to the foot, divided to 1/40" and numbered by twos from 0 to 24. The rule is marked: K+E 1419W KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. The back has scales for 3/8" to the foot, divided to 1/50" and numbered by twos from 0 to 30, and for 5/16" to the foot, divided to 1/30" and numbered by twos from 0 to 18. A brown leather sheath holds the rule. Compare to 1981.0933.14 and 1998.0032.09.
- Keuffel & Esser began offering model 1419 in plastic in 1949. At $1.80, the instrument represented a significant savings over the $4.20 price for the boxwood version of model 1419. The trade-off was that the marks were not engine-divided. The firm changed its model numbers in 1962. According to the donor, the instrument was used by her husband, the electrical engineer Robert H. Wieler (1923–1993).
- References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 41st ed. (New York, 1949), 153, 159; Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Andrew Alpern Collection of Drawing Instruments (Columbia University, 2007), 105, http://www.columbiauniversity.org/cu/lweb/img/assets/8897/alpern.pdf; accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1949–1962
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1998.0032.08
- catalog number
- 1998.0032.08
- accession number
- 1998.0032
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History