Sector

Add to album

A sector is an instrument for solving computations which use the rules of proportion. This brass example was made in Portugal in the 18th century, and may have been used in artillery to calculate the trajectory of cannon shot.

The scales on this side of the instrument are entitled 'Linha das Cordas' ['line of chords'], 'Solidos' ['solids'] and 'Metaes' ['metals']. The latter includes symbols for the various metals. There is also an edge scale entitled 'Balas' for the weight of shot.

Sectors continued to be made and used throughout Europe until the late 19th century.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-002-065-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1984.173
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Brass
  
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Portugal
  
• Event:
• Description: Portuguese sector of brass, 18th century
  
• References:
  • Also see Hambly, Maya. Drawing Instruments 1580-1980. London: 1988, pp 135-6 
  • For the use of sector, see 'Sector' in Rees, A. (ed.), Cyclopedia vol 22, London: 1819 [unpaginated] 
• Translations:
• Related Records: