Object Details
- Description
- This 6" ebony instrument has three blades, apparently cut from a single rectangle of wood, and is held together by intricate brass hinges. Surveyors, cartographers, navigators, and draftsmen began using parallel rules in the 18th century to easily draw parallel lines separated by various widths. These instruments were also used for reducing or enlarging scaled drawings.
- According to the donor, the rule was brought to this continent by Alexander Matheson (1788–1866), an English officer who brought troops from the West Indies to fight against the Americans in the War of 1812. After the war, he helped build the Rideau Canal and settled near Perth, Ontario. His grandson, Alexander Matheson Richey (1826–1913), a lumberman who moved to Chicago, also used the instrument.
- References: Maya Hambly, Drawing Instruments: 1580–1980 (London: Sotheby's Publications, 1988), 111; Ken W. Watson, "Smiths Falls Locks 28–31," Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/history/locks/h28-31-smithsfalls.html; "The Town of Perth: The Settlement of Retired Military Heroes on 'the Scotch Line,'" Toronto Daily Mail (May 14, 1887), 6–7, 10; accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of Ada B. Richey
- early 19th century
- ID Number
- MA.321753
- catalog number
- 321753
- accession number
- 243754
- Object Name
- parallel rule
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- ebony (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: .2 cm x 15.2 cm x 3.6 cm; 3/32 in x 5 31/32 in x 1 13/32 in
- place made
- United Kingdom: England
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Science & Mathematics
- Parallel Rules
- Measuring & Mapping
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Drafting, Engineering
- Record ID
- nmah_690219
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0621-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
