Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Theodolite
Signed by Augustine Ryther
Dated 1590; English
Brass; 235 mm in diameter

This is one of the oldest surviving examples of a theodolite, and is probably connected to the Dudley bequest. It is made up of a horizontal circle, at the centre of which is an alidade provided with a compass. A support is mounted onto this which bears a vertical semi-circle with a sight. The vertical semi-circle rotates along with the alidade which supports it. The whole instrument rests on a wooden base.

The theodolite was used to make topographical operations and to take bearings. It allowed the spatial co-ordinates of a point to be measured simultaneously.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 240

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