Stetson line of position plotter
Datecirca 1928
Inventory Number1996-1-0055
ClassificationPlotting device
Subject
Maker
Eastern Science Supply Company
fl. 1910s - 1940s
Inventor
Harlan True Stetson
1885-1964
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions31.7 × 39.5 × 3.7 cm (12 1/2 × 15 9/16 × 1 7/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesfour metal T-squares; four transluscent celluloid panels; instructional material, in CHSI instrument file 2001-1-0024
DescriptionAluminum plotting table with four metal T-squares and four transparent celluloid panels.
The surface of the plotting table is etched with a diagonal grid. A strip along the left edge of the surface is painted black. Visible through a slit in this strip is an aluminum cylinder printed with sixteen scales. The cylinder is rotated by turning a black knurled knob at the top edge of the plane table.
There are four metal clips along the top and bottom edges of the drafting table. Also visible along the top and bottom edges are metal bolts joining the surface and sides of the table.
Two metal plaques bolted to one side of the drafting table are printed with information on the plane table's manufacturer.
The plotting table opens to reveal a space for storage.
The four T-squares are painted white along the long bar and black on the crossbar. Three of the crossbars have rounded top edges. The fourth crossbar is rectangular, with an L-shaped profile.
There are two scales printed along the long bar of each T-square. Along the top edge of the bar is a scale for "ARL," graduated into minutes. Along the bottom edge of the bar is a scale for "TIME", graduated into 2.5 minutes.
The four clear celluloid panels are printed with a rectangular grid. All four panels are warped; two are broken into two or more pieces.
The surface of the plotting table is etched with a diagonal grid. A strip along the left edge of the surface is painted black. Visible through a slit in this strip is an aluminum cylinder printed with sixteen scales. The cylinder is rotated by turning a black knurled knob at the top edge of the plane table.
There are four metal clips along the top and bottom edges of the drafting table. Also visible along the top and bottom edges are metal bolts joining the surface and sides of the table.
Two metal plaques bolted to one side of the drafting table are printed with information on the plane table's manufacturer.
The plotting table opens to reveal a space for storage.
The four T-squares are painted white along the long bar and black on the crossbar. Three of the crossbars have rounded top edges. The fourth crossbar is rectangular, with an L-shaped profile.
There are two scales printed along the long bar of each T-square. Along the top edge of the bar is a scale for "ARL," graduated into minutes. Along the bottom edge of the bar is a scale for "TIME", graduated into 2.5 minutes.
The four clear celluloid panels are printed with a rectangular grid. All four panels are warped; two are broken into two or more pieces.
Signedprinted on bottom plaque bolted to side of table: MADE BY / EASTERN SCIENCE / SUPPLY COMPANY / BOSTON, MASS., U.S.A.;
printed on long bar of each T-square, right center: Manufactured by Eastern Science Supply Company, Boston, Mass.
Inscribedprinted on top plaque bolted to side of table: PATENT APPLIED FOR;
printed on long bar of each T-square, left center: STETSON LINE OF POSITION PLOTTER
Curatorial RemarksSee also two other Stetson line of position plotters, 1996-1-0054, 2001-1-0024.
Table and accessories wrapped in styrofoam padding.
FunctionFor use in nautical astronomy, to lay out lines of position.
The user first secures a piece of plotting paper in the plotting table's four clips. He rotates the knob at the top left of the table until the latitude scale of his choice is shown. Similarly, he looks to the T-square for his line of longitude.
After plotting a point, he places a celluloid line locator over the plotting paper such that one line passes through the center of the compass protractor (printed on paper) in the direction of the sun's bearing. He moves the locator along this line until he can draw the line of position through the point along the short edge of the locator.
The user first secures a piece of plotting paper in the plotting table's four clips. He rotates the knob at the top left of the table until the latitude scale of his choice is shown. Similarly, he looks to the T-square for his line of longitude.
After plotting a point, he places a celluloid line locator over the plotting paper such that one line passes through the center of the compass protractor (printed on paper) in the direction of the sun's bearing. He moves the locator along this line until he can draw the line of position through the point along the short edge of the locator.
Eastern Science Supply Company
Date: circa 1928
Object number: 2001-1-0024
Eastern Science Supply Company
Date: circa 1928
Accessories: instructional material, in CHSI instrument file 2001-1-0024
Object number: 1996-1-0054
George Grady Press
Date: after 1943
Object number: 1998-1-1689
Panelvision Corporation
Date: 1984
Accessories: single-board display controller
cable for display (1997-1-0686c)
shipping ticket/ hand carry pass dated June 11, 1997 (in instrument file)
letter to Dr. Richard V. Kollarits from William Andrewes dated June 16, 1997 regarding donation of MiniGraphic display and letter to William Andrewes from Dr. Richard V. Kollarits that accompanied the object upon donation on June 11, 1997 (in instrument file)
four sample color prints made with this display on micro-encapsulated photographic paper. 1. man in business suit, 2. woman crouching next to lawn ornament, 3. two clowns painting a third's face, 4. woman in winter hat and scarf (in instrument file)
copies of two articles by AT&T Bell Laboratories staff (Richard V. Kollarits, William, H. Ninke, David C. Gibbon) on color imaging and printing (in instrument file)
Panelvision pamphlet introducing the MiniGraphic multipurpose flat panel display, including instrument specifications, consumer prices, functioning and features (in instrument file)
1984 article by Panelvision employees (Peter Brody Fang-Chen Luo, Paul Malmberg) on active matrix technology (in instrument file)
Panelvision Corporation Fact Sheet, including details of company history and recent developments (in instrument file)
article about commercial debut of active matrix technology from Design Engineering newspaper, June 18, 1984 (in instrument file)
full circuit diagram and schematic for MiniGraphic Display Controller (in instrument file)
instruction manual and description of MiniGraphic Display Controller (two copies, in instrument file)
circuit diagrams and instruction manuals for the MiniGraphic Display (two booklets, in instrument file)
Object number: 1997-1-0686a
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1917
Accessories: rectangular black leather case
Object number: 1997-1-1631
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: patented 1933
Accessories: black leather case with flap closure
Object number: 1997-1-1925
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: patented 1900
Accessories: brown leather case, for storage
Object number: 2003-1-0225
Keuffel & Esser Company
Date: circa 1917
Accessories: Brown leather case with flap closure, for storage.
Object number: 1989-1-0012
See also/See also
