Common Theodolite
Common Theodolite
Previous
Next
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- Thomas Wright (about 1686–1767) was a prominent London maker who had gone into business for himself in 1718, after learning the trade from John Rowley. He traded at the sign of The Orrery & Globe, was appointed Mathematical Instrument Maker to His Royal Highness, George, Prince of Wales, and produced "all sorts of Mathematical Instruments for Sea & Land According to the best & latest Improvements." The title of Wright's royal appointment changed in 1727, when George II ascended to the throne. Wright retired from business in 1748. This elegant instrument has two open sights attached to the circle, and two on the alidade. The circle is graduated to degrees, and read by vernier to 5 minutes. It is signed "Made by Tho. Wright Instrumt Maker to Ye KING."
- Ref: Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550–1851 (London, 1995), p. 306.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- circumferentor
- date made
- 1727-1748
- maker
- Wright, Thomas
- place made
- United Kingdom: England, London
- Measurements
- base plate: 12 in; 30.48 cm
- needle: 4 1/2 in; 11.43 cm
- overall; theodolite: 7 in x 12 in; 17.78 cm x 30.48 cm
- overall; attachment: 5 7/16 in x 2 1/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 13.81125 cm x 5.715 cm x 3.81 cm
- ID Number
- PH.328867
- catalog number
- 328867
- accession number
- 278000
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
- Measuring & Mapping
- Surveying and Geodesy
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.
