What the heck is this??
March 10, 2012 10:29 AM Subscribe
Where could this 12 foot long board with measurements on it be from?
I have a 12 foot long wooden board that folds in the middle, and has really great foot measurement markings on it. A friend gave this to me after I was so interested in it- And cant find ANYTHING out about it. My internet skills must be failing me.
The only real markings of distinction on it are a sticker "POST Drafting supplies" and a carved "U.S." right above it. It may not be related but you can see some faded numbers written into the back of it too. All i can think of is maybe it was in a gym or for high jumps or something... Does this kind of thing have a name?
Thanks for any suggestions!
I have a 12 foot long wooden board that folds in the middle, and has really great foot measurement markings on it. A friend gave this to me after I was so interested in it- And cant find ANYTHING out about it. My internet skills must be failing me.
The only real markings of distinction on it are a sticker "POST Drafting supplies" and a carved "U.S." right above it. It may not be related but you can see some faded numbers written into the back of it too. All i can think of is maybe it was in a gym or for high jumps or something... Does this kind of thing have a name?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Best answer: Did you notice the foot markings are subdivided into tenths of a foot, rather than inches? That suggests an engineering tool. I found a similar specimen by Googling 'antique levelling rod' (on this page).
posted by PercussivePaul at 10:47 AM on March 10, 2012
posted by PercussivePaul at 10:47 AM on March 10, 2012
Response by poster: Those do look really similar marking wise- But it seems like all these surveying tools were made with dials to raise and lower them- Could this be used the same way as it is either folded up (for storage) or open all the way? Also, i forgot to add that it is 4 inches wide, and the wood is 1 inch thick.
PercussivePaul- No I didnt notice at all! That is a good lead, thanks.
posted by bleedfoot at 10:52 AM on March 10, 2012
PercussivePaul- No I didnt notice at all! That is a good lead, thanks.
posted by bleedfoot at 10:52 AM on March 10, 2012
I'm not sure, but it reminds me of when I worked at a fabric store- the cutting table had a long ruler embedded into the edge, so that you could accurately measure out feet of cloth. The fabric store counter also had one of those... um, foldy-uppy hinged things that you see on bars? You know, where you can lift it up to enter, then lower it to make it part of the counter. So, I'm picturing this thing being embedded into the counter of a small fabric store or tailor's shop.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:10 AM on March 10, 2012
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:10 AM on March 10, 2012
Looks to me like the stick that they use at gas stations to determine the amount of fuel left in underground tanks.
posted by HuronBob at 11:33 AM on March 10, 2012
posted by HuronBob at 11:33 AM on March 10, 2012
The markings are in decimal feet so my vote is survey rod too.
posted by fshgrl at 11:49 AM on March 10, 2012
posted by fshgrl at 11:49 AM on March 10, 2012
Best answer: I asked dad... It's an engineers scale for direct elevation surveying.
posted by chasles at 12:16 PM on March 10, 2012
posted by chasles at 12:16 PM on March 10, 2012
Response by poster: chasles - Thanks dad!
Seems like a general consensus to me- Thanks everyone! Fun to know what it was used for.
posted by bleedfoot at 12:24 PM on March 10, 2012
Seems like a general consensus to me- Thanks everyone! Fun to know what it was used for.
posted by bleedfoot at 12:24 PM on March 10, 2012
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posted by lizzicide at 10:34 AM on March 10, 2012