Object Details
- Kern & Co.
- Description
- Beam compasses were used to draw circles of large radius by positioning the sliding pieces on a wooden lath. This German silver instrument, also called a draftsman’s trammel, has a smaller sliding piece with a pencil point that may be exchanged for the pen point holder also contained in the case. The smaller sliding piece is engraved with the Kern logo, a K inside a pair of dividers. The larger sliding piece has a needle point. Either end of the needle point may be used.
- The larger sliding piece is engraved with a maker’s mark: KERN & Co; AARAUSWISS. No beam, or wooden lath, is included, nor is there room for one in the case. The case is leather over wood, lined with maroon velvet and locked by a button on the side. The top of the case is imprinted with a rectangle that has a fleur-de-lis at each corner. The maker’s mark is stamped in gold: KERN & Co AARAU [/] SWITZERLAND. The owner’s card is inside the case, with “Property [/] of” written in cursive pencil and “L. N. EDWARDS” printed. Carolyn H. Edwards of Glen Echo, Md., bequeathed this beam compass set to the Smithsonian in 1971.
- The marks on this compass are similar to those used by Kern between 1885 and 1926. For other instruments manufactured by Kern, see ID numbers MA.247966, 1977.0460.02, 1978.2291.01, and MA.321781.
- Reference: Juerg Dedual, "How Old is My Kern & Co. AG Aarau?" Virtual Archive of WILD HEERBRUGG, http://www.wild-heerbrugg.com/how_old_is_my_kern_&_co__ag_aarau_instrument.htm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Carolyn H. Edwards
- 1885-1926
- ID Number
- MA.333947
- accession number
- 296611
- catalog number
- 333947
- Object Name
- beam compass
- beam compasses
- Physical Description
- steel (overall material)
- wood (overall material)
- german silver (overall material)
- leather (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 13.5 cm x 5.8 cm x 2.5 cm; 5 5/16 in x 2 9/32 in x 31/32 in
- place made
- Switzerland: Aargau, Aarau
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Science & Mathematics
- Dividers and Compasses
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Compasses, Beam
- Drawing Instruments
- Record ID
- nmah_904403
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-3f56-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
