Keuffel & Esser 1419P Chain Scale
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
- Object Name
- scale rule
- scale
- date made
- 1913–1921
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- place made
- United States: New York, New York City
- Physical Description
- boxwood (overall material)
- celluloid (overall material)
- leather (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: .2 cm x 18 cm x 2.5 cm; 3/32 in x 7 3/32 in x 31/32 in
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.14
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.14
- Credit Line
- Gift of William J. Ellenberger
- subject
- Mathematics
- Drafting, Engineering
- Rule, Measuring
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Science & Mathematics
- Scale Rules
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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