Object Details
- Description
- This wooden rectangular rule consists of a fluted handle with a carved head at the end and a tapered, ruled part. The rule is cracked between two nails below the handle on the side with the head's face. On the side with the back of the head, the rule is marked with straight lines that are 27.5, 38.5, 42.0, 49.7, 53.2, 56.9, 60.8, 64.5, and 68.1 cm from the base of the handle (or, 44.5, 33.5, 30.0, 22.3, 18.8, 15.1, 11.2, 7.5, and 3.9 cm from the tip of the rule). The mark at 49.7 cm is an asterisk rather than a plain line.
- The Dutch el is a traditional "arm's length" measure commonly used before The Netherlands adopted the metric system in 1820. The el was 68–70 cm on average, but this example is slightly longer at 72 cm, excluding the handle. Compare to MA.318246, MA.318248, and MA.325404.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- before 1820
- ID Number
- MA.318247
- accession number
- 235396
- catalog number
- 318247
- Object Name
- scale rule
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1.7 cm x 84 cm x 2 cm; 21/32 in x 33 1/16 in x 25/32 in
- place made
- The Netherlands
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Science & Mathematics
- Scale Rules
- Measuring & Mapping
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Rule, Measuring
- Mathematics
- Record ID
- nmah_904632
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-4762-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
