Abney Level

Description:

William de Wiveleslie Abney (1843–1920), an English scientist who made many important contributions to spectroscopy and photography, devised this level in the 1870s while working for the School of Military Engineering at Chatham. W. & L. E. Gurley described it as an English modification of the Locke hand level, noting that it gives angles of elevation "and is also divided for slopes, as 1 to 2, 2 to 1, etc."

Since the main tube of this example is square, it can be applied to any plane surface. The clinometer scale is graduated to degrees, and read by vernier to 5 minutes. The inscription on the case reads "DIETZGEN."

Ref: W. & L. E. Gurley, A Manual of the Principal Instruments Used in American Engineering and Surveying (Troy, N.Y., 1893), p. 228.

C. Jones, "Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney, K.C.B., D.C.L., D.Sc., F.R.S., Hon. F.R.P.S., etc.," The Photographic Journal 61 (1921): 296–311.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: LaVerne Watkins

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1989.0403.13Catalog Number: 1989.0403.13Accession Number: 1989.0403

Object Name: Abney level

Measurements: case: 6 7/8 in x 3 3/4 in x 1 3/4 in; 17.4625 cm x 9.525 cm x 4.445 cmlevel: 2 5/8 in x 6 in x 1 3/8 in; 6.6675 cm x 15.24 cm x 3.4925 cmoverall in case: 7 in x 3 3/4 in x 1 5/8 in; 17.78 cm x 9.525 cm x 4.1275 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-3567-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1393340

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