Dividers

This pair of dividers, also known as a pair of compasses, were made in Europe in the 18th century. They are unsigned.

The dividers have an iron hinge pin and iron washers.

Dividers were used in chart-work for pricking out a course, or measuring out distances on a chart against the calibrations of linear measurement on the Mercator latitude scales found on sectors.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-102-710-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1967.72
Date:	18th century
Material:	Iron hinge pin and washers
Dimensions:	12.25" L; 11.75" L from points to centre of hinge pin
What:
Subject:	19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
Who:
Where:	Europe
Event:
Description:	Pair of twelve inch dividers, unsigned, made in Europe, 18th century
References:	For dividers, see Turner, Anthony, Early Scientific Instruments 1400-1800. London: 1987, pp 154-5
Translations:
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