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Switzerland: Aargau, Aarau / 1885-1926

Beam Compass by Kern & Co.

Beam Compass by Kern & Co.

The Smithsonian catalogs Beam Compass by Kern & Co. as beam compass in its Mathematics records.

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

Beam compasses were used to draw circles of large radius by positioning the sliding pieces on a wooden lath. This German silver instrument, also called a draftsman’s trammel, has a smaller sliding piece with a pencil point that may be exchanged for the pen point holder also contained in the case. The smaller sliding piece is engraved with the Kern logo, a K inside a pair of dividers. The larger sl

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A CLOSER LOOK

The Smithsonian lists the object under Mathematics and dates it 1885-1926.

Beam compasses were used to draw circles of large radius by positioning the sliding pieces on a wooden lath. This German silver instrument, also called a draftsman’s trammel, has a smaller sliding piece with a pencil point that may be exchanged for the pen point holder also contained in the case. The smaller sliding piece is engraved with the Kern logo, a K inside a pair of dividers. The larger sl

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

Smithsonian InstitutionBeam Compass by Kern & Co.

Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.