Theodolite (detail)

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This is a detail of a theodolite, a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. This theodolite was made around 1850, probably by Alexander Adie & Son of Edinburgh. It was designed in 1844 by John Sang, a land surveyor.

The detail shows the lower part of the theodolite, and the system of two screws by which the instrument is levelled. Most theodolites use three or four screws to level the instrument.

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-051-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1971.16
• Date: Around 1850
  c. 1850
  
• Material: Blackened brass, silver scales. Inscription: Adie & Son / Edinburgh
  Theodolite
  
• Dimensions: 220 mm H overall
  
• What: Theodolite
  
• Subject: 5. CARTOGRAPHY, Surveying (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Adie and Son, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Four-inch theodolite of brass, signed by Adie and Son of Edinburgh, c. 1850
  
• References:
  • Sang, John. 'Description of an Improved Apparatus for Levelling Small Theodolites', Transactions of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts 2. (1844) pp 306-7 
• Translations:
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