mechanical pencil
Date1952-1964
Inventory Number1997-1-1629
ClassificationPencil
Subject
Maker
Walter Balcke
?
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions1 x 6.5 x 1 cm (3/8 x 2 9/16 x 3/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionA small mechanical pencil with brass attachments at each end. The pencil is constituted of two interlocking pieces of cylindrical teal plastic with lighter flaxes within, giving the surface a fractured appearance. Lead is pushed out of the brass tip by pushing on the back of the pencil.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksIt is not verified that this object was constructed by Walter Balcke for the Mathematics Department at Harvard University. However, it is identical to the pencil that accompanies another model verified as Balcke's (1997-1-1619).
FunctionWalter Balcke built and gifted many mathematical models to the Harvard Mathematics department at Harvard University. According to substantial correspondence between mathematics professors and Balcke, the models were sometimes used in classes, circulated around the department for observation, and eventually put on display in the mathematics library.
This pencil may have been an extra for the Conics Drawing Machine (1997-1-1619) or another Balcke model. Aside from its different color, it is identical to the pencil accompanying that machine. Pencils are for drawing with graphite on paper.
This pencil may have been an extra for the Conics Drawing Machine (1997-1-1619) or another Balcke model. Aside from its different color, it is identical to the pencil accompanying that machine. Pencils are for drawing with graphite on paper.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Mathematics, Harvard University.
Walter Balcke
Date: circa 1958
Accessories: wooden case; blue pencil; pink eraser
in library folder (Lib 4927):
-twenty-one letters from Joseph L. Walsh, mathematics professor at Harvard University, to Walter Balcke, dated between 27 May 1957 and 24 January 1964 (letters thank Balcke for the many mathematical models he gifted to the Mathematics Department, praise his skill and ingenuity, many invite him to faculty and personal luncheons, and one letter provides an analytic solution to the "13-point problem" behind one of Balcke's models)
-three letters from Garret Birkhoff (then Chairman of the Harvard Mathematics Department) dated 3 March 1954, 4 January 1955, and 10 January 1955, each expressing gratitude (and in one case, an official department thank you) for the many mathematical models he gifted to the mathematics department
-photocopy of original envelope in which correspondence between mathematics department and Walter Balcke was stored (original was destroyed on 13 July 1997)
-photocopy of instructional card for object 1997-1-1671
- seven instructional cards that accompany the following Balcke models: Pascal's Theorem, Brianchon's Concurrent Lines, Trisector, Twelve Point Ellipse, Rolling Parabola, unknown, Equation Solution with a 'Constant' Variable and Thread
- photograph of the display case containing Balcke's models in the Harvard Mathematics department
Object number: 1997-1-1671
Walter Balcke
Date: 1955
Accessories: mahogany box with plexiglass lid; pencil; eraser; box of lead; putty ball; cleaning cloth; cardboard instruction card
Object number: 1997-1-1619
American
Date: circa 1925
Accessories: two-toned brown sleeve case
Object number: 1997-1-1919
Keuffel & Esser Company
Object number: 2014-1-0144
See also/See also
