Parallel rule

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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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-764-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  Rule, parallel, rolling
  
• 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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