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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: Ann12 on Tuesday 26 April 05 20:30 BST (UK)
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Hi,
Would anyone know what a Mathematical Instrument Maker would of made? According to the 1861 census of London an ancestor of mine was one.
Thanks
Ann
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I'd say he'd probably make things like compasses, dividers, protractors etc.
I was given an old victorian set when I started uni, much more accurate than the mass produced stuff you can buy today.
They are the most beautiful set of instruments, all make of brass and obviously hand made. A definite work of art made by someone who took pride in his trade.
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And don't overlook the slide rule, or is that unknown to the modern world?
Rod
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Hi,
And the slide rule is??
Ann
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It's about the the length of a standard ruler, but wider - the middle section slides/moves and has a different scale or scales on it enabling very complicated calculations to be made before electronic calculators had been developed. My father used one for most of his working life.
For what looks like the complicated low down on how they work, see here:
http://www.hpmuseum.org/sliderul.htm
and here for a picture of one:
http://www.sliderules.clara.net/
or:
http://www.ox.compsoc.net/~swhite/history/slide-rule.html
Nell
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Now I understand why by the 1870's he had become a Bank Manager. Obviously good with maths! Shame it didn't pass down through the generations.
Ann
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Nell,
I think I still have my old slide rule somewhere. Never needed batteries, was never replaced by a more up to date version, never crashed and did not cost hundreds of pounds!
Rod
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Yeah, I remember as a child playing with the slide rule and actually making sense of the instructions I was given. It looked remarkably like the one on the second site I mentioned. Himself still has one in the house somewhere - no doubt it too still works! ;D
Nell
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Please, I remember using one and the lessons at school on how to use them ..... once you worked it out it was amazing how quickly you could perform even very complex mathematical calculations ..... you could even perform log calculations without referring to a log book. ....... the good old days. ;D
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NOT the good old days, but yours and mine!
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Hello Ann and Co.
My great grandfather was a surgical instrument maker. I shudder to think what scary forms his work took, but would be very interested to know the actual process for the making. Like the mathematical instruments it must have involved complex metal work.
Any guidance? Sue
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Although an american site this one has plenty of images to show the type of instruments a surgeon would use in the 1860's
www.braceface.com/medical
which may give an insight into the process of making them
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Hi Falkyrn,
I loved the website you sent me to. What a gruesome looking collection. Thanks for your interest. Sue.
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Would anyone know what a Mathematical Instrument Maker would of made? According to the 1861 census of London an ancestor of mine was one.
My ancestor was also one in the 1861 census. Mine was Abel Kitching Mileson on Emmett Street, Limehouse. How about you?
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"perform log calculations without referring to a log book"
We found the wife's grandfather's "Log book" It showed how many he would saw in a day, chop up and burn in a week. He used to note the weather in it as well, and therefore how many logs were required to keep warm.
Malky