Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Maker:
Keuffel & Esser Co.  Search this
Physical Description:
boxwood (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 1 cm x 32 cm x 2 cm; 13/32 in x 12 19/32 in x 25/32 in
Object Name:
triangular scale
scale rule, triangular
Place made:
United States: New Jersey, Hoboken
Date made:
1913–1921
Description:
This 12-inch triangular boxwood rule has indentations along each side. One side has scales divided to 1/20" (numbered by ones from 0 to 24) and 1/50" (numbered by twos from 0 to 60). This side is marked: 1634 KEUFFEL & ESSER Co. N.Y. The second side has scales divided to 1/40" (numbered by twos from 0 to 48) and 1/80" (numbered by fours from 0 to 96). The third side has scales divided to 1/30" (numbered by twos from 0 to 36) and 1/60" (numbered by fours from 0 to 72). One end of the rule is marked: LARSEN.
The Eugene Dietzgen Company sold model 1626 from at least 1904, when it cost 90¢, to at least 1952, when it cost $2.30. William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008), who donated this object, 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: <i>Catalogue & Price List of Eugene Dietzgen Co.</i>, 7th ed. (Chicago, 1904), 160; <i>Catalogue & Price List of Eugene Dietzgen Co.</i>, 12th ed. (Chicago, 1926), 168; <i>Catalogue & Price List of Eugene Dietzgen Co.</i>, 14th ed. (Chicago, 1931), 189; <i>Catalogue & Price List of Eugene Dietzgen Co.</i>, 16th ed. (Chicago, 1952), 215; "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
Subject:
Mathematics  Search this
Drafting, Engineering  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of William J. Ellenberger
ID Number:
1981.0933.12
Catalog number:
1981.0933.12
Accession number:
1981.0933
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Scale Rules
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a0-e44c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_213159