boxwood computing sector
Date1679
Inventory Number5451
ClassificationSector
Subject
Maker
English
User
Edward Holyoke
1689 - 1769
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensions1.1 x 33 x 5.4 cm (7/16 x 13 x 2 1/8 in.)
Material
Accessoriesoriginal curatorial cards
DescriptionThe sector, or military compass, consists of two equally sized rectangular boxwood rules attached with a boxwood and brass pivot disc. There are several sets of plane and angled measurements on both sides of the sector in black engraved lettering.
Punched on one side of the sector are scales marked "Generall Scale", "Per[t]iceuler Scale for 36 Degrees", "Hours and Azimu[t]h line", and what looks like a perpetual calendar dated 1679. Punched on the other side are scales marked "scale", "sine or versed sines", "chord", "secants", "chords", and "versed sines". The inside edge is punched with divisions for a foot rule with inches divided into tenths. On the outside edge are punched scales labeled "Numbers", "Tengents", and "Sines". The punch used for the leter "t" was broken on the top and, as such, the cross member is missing.
Punched on one side of the sector are scales marked "Generall Scale", "Per[t]iceuler Scale for 36 Degrees", "Hours and Azimu[t]h line", and what looks like a perpetual calendar dated 1679. Punched on the other side are scales marked "scale", "sine or versed sines", "chord", "secants", "chords", and "versed sines". The inside edge is punched with divisions for a foot rule with inches divided into tenths. On the outside edge are punched scales labeled "Numbers", "Tengents", and "Sines". The punch used for the leter "t" was broken on the top and, as such, the cross member is missing.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThe boxwood sector and its many sets of measurements are used to facilitate various mathematical calculations from trigonometry to square roots. The sector is also called a military compass because of its immense utility for navigation and gunnery calculations.
ProvenanceEdward Holyoke (Cambridge, Massachusetts); given to his son, Dr. Edward Augustus Holyoke; given to his daughter, Susannah Holyoke Ward; given to her daughter, Mary Holyoke Ward Nichols; given to her son, Andrew Nichols; given to seven of his grandchildren to own equally; David Wheatland (Topsfield, Massachusetts) purchased from Nathan P. Nichols (Hathorne, Massachusetts) January 16, 1975; donated to CHSI 1975.
Historical AttributesReputed to have been used by Edward Holyoke, President of Harvard College (1689-1769).
English
Date: 1775-1800
Accessories: case contains the following nine instruments: one ivory and brass sector; one ivory and brass parallel rule; one brass protractor; two pairs of dividers, one with pen holder, pencil holder, and inking wheel (for drawing dotted line) attachments; and pen.
Object number: 5458
George Adams (I)
Date: circa 1766
Accessories: original case
Object number: DW0955
Tavella Sales Company
Date: dated 1944
Accessories: brown fabrikoid case; postmarked order form and advertisement for Mascot slide rule
Object number: DW0968
Tavella Sales Company
Date: copyright 1934
Accessories: black leather case with snap closure, instruction manual (in file)
Object number: 2003-1-0244