Name/Title
Wooden Folding RulerDescription
A wooden folding ruler or measuring instrument with four articulated arms connected by a circular pivot joint. The ruler is dark brown in color, possibly mahogany or walnut, and has brass fittings at the pivot point. The arms can be adjusted to different angles, suggesting it was used for precise measurements, drafting, or engineering applications.Context
This instrument likely belonged to Lewis Howard Latimer, a prominent African American inventor and draftsman who played a role in the development of electrical engineering and patent drafting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tools such as this would have been essential in his work drafting blueprints and designing inventions, including improvements to electric lighting. Folding rulers were commonly used in engineering and construction for quick and accurate angle measurements.Collection
Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]