Beam Compasses
From Inventions
Name currently used. In the Renaissance it was called sestone (sextant).
Contents |
Historic Period
XV-XVI century.
Description
Compass for drawing large circumferences composed of a long rod with two cursors sliding along it, carrying a fixed point and a pen point.
Bibliographical Resources
Della Volpaia, Benvenuto, Macchine e strumenti, ms., XVI secolo, Venezia, Biblioteca Marciana, It. IV, 41 (= 5363), c. 53r-v, 56r.
Existing Instruments
- Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, inv. 51264
Links (External)
http://www.tpub.com/engbas/2-11.htm (English)
http://www.mathsinstruments.me.uk/page63.html (English)
Images
 Benvenuto Della Volpaia, Macchine e strumenti, ms., XVI secolo, Venezia, Biblioteca Marciana, It. IV, 41 (= 5363), c. 53r. |
 Benvenuto Della Volpaia, Macchine e strumenti, ms., XVI secolo, Venezia, Biblioteca Marciana, It. IV, 41 (= 5363), c. 53v. |
 Benvenuto Della Volpaia, Macchine e strumenti, ms., XVI secolo, Venezia, Biblioteca Marciana, It. IV, 41 (= 5363), c. 56r. |
Author of the entry: Filippo Camerota
