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Catalog Data

Physical Description:
brass (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: .3 cm x 17.5 cm x 3.2 cm; 1/8 in x 6 7/8 in x 1 1/4 in
Object Name:
sector
Place made:
France: Île-de-France, Paris
Date made:
18th century
Description:
The arms of this brass instrument have straight edges, but the hinge is decorated with a sunburst. One side has double scales of chords, running from 10 to 180; of architectural drawings, running from 5 to 60; and for the specific weights of four metals, marked with their symbols. The outer edge has a scale that runs from 1/4 to 64 and is labeled Calibres des Pieces. There is no maker's mark.
The other side has double scales for equal parts, running from 0 to 200; for solids, running from 5 to 60; and for the lengths of the sides of inscribed regular polygons, from 12 sides to three sides. The outer edge has a scale running from 1/4 to 64 and labeled Poids des Boulets. The outside face of the instrument has scales for English feet and French feet, each running from 1 to 6. This instrument was found in Smithsonian storage in 1956.
Location:
Currently not on view
Subject:
Mathematics  Search this
Sectors  Search this
Rule, Calculating  Search this
ID Number:
MA.314799
Catalog number:
314799
Accession number:
210147
See more items in:
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Sectors
Science & Mathematics
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-a539-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1214785