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Parallel rule

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Made in Glasgow

Postcard of Parallel rule.
000-100-102-764-C
© National Museums Scotland

Parallel rule

This rolling parallel rule was made around 1870, probably by James White, a scientific instrument maker based in Glasgow. It is made of bronze. The rule was once owned by Benjamin Connor, locomotive superintendent of the Caledonian Railway.

The rule is stamped 'J.WHITE GLASGOW' and engraved 'Ben Conner'. Used in technical drawing, the ruler can roll across the drawing board, enabling parallel lines to be drawn without lifting the instrument.

Benjamin Conner (?1813-76) served an apprenticeship in Glasgow with a mechanical engineer. He also worked for a time in Robert Napier's marine engineering works, before moving into locomotive engineering later in his career.


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Online ID: 000-100-102-764-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.171
Date: Around 1870
c. 1870
Material: Oxidised bronze. Inscription: J WHITE GLASGOW ; Ben Connor
Dimensions: 689 mm L
What: Rule, parallel, rolling
Subject:
Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
Ben Connor (Engraved on rule)
James White, Glasgow (Maker)
Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
Event:
Description: 27" rolling parallel rule in oxidised bronze, signed by James White, Glasgow, c. 1870
References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. p 270 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
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