Goodman's hatchet planimeter
Object No. 2010/1/162
This object is part of a collection relating to the history and development of calculating devices assembled by Assoc Professor Allan Bromley of Sydney University, comprising mathematical instruments, slide-rules, mechanical and electronic calculators, electronic analogue computers, computer components, kit computers, education computers, and associated ephemera. Allan Bromley was a lecturer and researcher at the University of Sydney Basser Department of Computer Science from 1978 until his untimely death in August 2002. He specialised in Computer Architecture, Computer Logic and in particular the History of Computing. He was regarded as the world authority on Charles Babbage's Calculating Engines (instigating the building of the Difference Engine No.2 at the Science Museum London) and the Ankithera Mechanism and had extensive knowledge of calculators, analogue computers, logic, stereopsis, totalisators, clocks and time keeping and mechanical engineering.
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Summary
Object Statement
Hatchet planimeter with case and instruction sheet, Goodman's, stainless steel / leatherette / paper, made by Jackson Bros Ltd, Leeds, England, c.1920, designed by J. Goodman, Leeds, England, 1890
Physical Description
The Goodman's planimeter consists of a lightly curved rod with both ends bent into right angles. One end is flat allowing the instrument to be supported in a short cylindrical plinth, also made of a stainless steel, so that it can be used to trace out the area enclosed by a curve using a sharp "tracing point" located at the other end. The centre of the rod contains a ruler in square inches, engraved with markings from 0:40. The planimeter is housed in a blue velvet lined leather case, with specific areas cut out in the velvet to separate the device and the small cylindrical plinth. The instruction sheet is a two sided document, featuring on one side, the cover, complete with an image of the device in use and the back page, explaining the theories of the instrument. On the reverse, is the two inner pages of the booklet, defining the proper usage of the planimeter and a series of diagrams supporting this.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Jackson Bros. Ltd, [50 Call Lane] Leeds, c. 1920.
HISTORY
Notes
Purchased - Purton, Bermondsey Market, 30/04/1982, 13 pounds
SOURCE
Credit Line
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program in memory of Associate Professor Allan Bromley, 2010
Acquisition Date
20 January 2010
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