Map Measure, Dietzgen 1715-4

Object Details

distributor

Eugene Dietzgen Company

Eugene Dietzgen Company

Description

This measure has the shape of a pocket watch, with a wheel at the bottom which can run along the line to be measured. A long hand rotates counterclockwise to indicate the number of feet represented on the plan, assuming that one quarter of an inch equals one foot. Two smaller dials indicate hundreds and thousands of feet. Pressing down a button at the top of the instrument zeros it. The device fits in a cardboard box.

A mark on the back of the instrument reads: DIETZGEN (/) SWISS. A mark on a tag attached to the top of the cardboard box reads: DIETZGEN (/) 1715-4 (/) ONE ONLY (/) PLAN (/) MEASURE (/) TO REGISTER FEET (/) ON PLANS 1/4" TO THE FT. A mark stamped on one end of the box reads: SWITZERLAND (/) No 1864.

Eugene Dietzgen Company of Chicago sold map measures from at least 1910, and introduced this model in March,1952. How long it sold is not known. This example was used by the electrical engineer Robert H. Wieler (1923-1993), who worked for Sperry Gyroscope, for Colt Firearms, and for Abraham Strauss.

References:

Accession File.

Eugene Dietzgen Company, Price List No. 28, Chicago, March, 1952, p. 18. The map measure sold for $12, or $100.80 per dozen.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Norma P. Wieler

ca 1955

ID Number

1998.0032.05

catalog number

1998.0032.05

accession number

1998.0032

Object Name

Map Measure

Physical Description

metal (case, button, dial material)

glass (face material)

paper (box material)

Measurements

overall: 2 cm x 4.8 cm x 7.6 cm; 25/32 in x 1 7/8 in x 3 in

place made

Switzerland

place distributed

United States: Illinois, Chicago

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Mathematics

Single Drawing Instruments

Science & Mathematics

National Museum of American History

Subject

Mathematics

Drafting, Engineering

Record ID

nmah_694128

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-158d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa