rectangular protractor
Datecirca 1878
Inventory Number2003-1-0222
ClassificationProtractor
Subject
Maker
W. F. Stanley & Company, Ltd.
1854 - 1999
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions0.1 × 15.2 × 4.5 cm (1/16 × 6 × 1 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionRectangular boxwood protractor.
The protracted line is carried around the top edge and both sides of the face of the protractor, for a total of 180 degrees. In the center of the face of the protractor are five scales. The top four scales are in, from top to bottom, quarter-inches, half-inches, three-quarters inches, and inches. The bottom scale is a line of chords labeled "CHO", and carries values from 0 to 90.
Along the top and bottom edges of the back of the protractor are three scales. The outermost scale is inches graduated into sixteenths; the center scale is in inches; and the innermost scale is inverted, in inches. Printed within these scales is a diagonal scale.
One corner of the protractor has chipped off.
The protracted line is carried around the top edge and both sides of the face of the protractor, for a total of 180 degrees. In the center of the face of the protractor are five scales. The top four scales are in, from top to bottom, quarter-inches, half-inches, three-quarters inches, and inches. The bottom scale is a line of chords labeled "CHO", and carries values from 0 to 90.
Along the top and bottom edges of the back of the protractor are three scales. The outermost scale is inches graduated into sixteenths; the center scale is in inches; and the innermost scale is inverted, in inches. Printed within these scales is a diagonal scale.
One corner of the protractor has chipped off.
Signedface, top center: STANLEY LONDON
Inscribedface, top right: MADE IN ENGLAND;
etched into surface of face, center: BUS
FunctionPrimarily for measuring angles. As Stanley himself pointed out, "The scales are of very little use for practical purposes, as they are too short, and do not read to the edge." (William Ford Stanley, A Descriptive Treatise on Mathematical Drawing Instruments (London: E. & F.N. Spon, 1878), 235.)
ProvenancePrivate Donor, Troy, New York.
Lehigh Portland Cement Company
Date: circa 1960
Object number: 2003-1-0209
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
Frederick Post Company
Date: early 20th Century
Object number: 2004-1-0340
Bendix Corporation
Date: 1960-1980
Accessories: blue storage envelope; instructions (with instrument)
Object number: 2004-1-0362
