Sector

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.

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Online ID:	000-190-002-065-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1984.173
Date:	18th century
Material:	Brass
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Where:	Portugal
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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]
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