Description:
- Object ID: ALSA 2008.14.09
- Made by: A.Ott, Germany
- Model: Unknown.
- Serial Number: 127274
- Date Made: Circa 1970s.
- Approximate size: The tracing arm is 25.5 cm long.
- Accessories: A case (31 cm x 10 cm x 5.2 cm), a flat bent bar, a small pin, a small finger screwdriver and various printed sheets providing formulas and instructions for determining areas.
- Condition: Very good.
Commentary:
This planimeter is comprised of an arm, one end of which fits into a weighted block. The other end of the arm attaches to the tracing arm – the part of the planimeter used to trace the boundary line of the closed figure to determine its area.
The tracing arm is inscribed with a scale and the number 127274 which is presumably the serial number. One end of the tracing arm has a clear magnified glass with a small circle in it for tracing the boundary line of the closed figure. Along the tracing arm is a sliding device which contains various readouts and scales for determining the area. Attached to the planimeter is a label with the words “A.OTT MADE IN GERMANY” on it.
The top of the case is inscribed with “A.OTT, KEMPTEN” and the bottom has a label reading “Made in Germany”.
This planimeter, owned by Brown Okamura & Associates Ltd. In Lethbridge, Alberta, was used to compute cross section areas from engineering drawings to obtain earth work volumes.
Source of Object: Donated by Dave Williams, ALS.
Notes: The Society has only one of this make in its collection.
References: Visit article A Dying Art – Drafting becomes Impersonal for additional information.
Description by: Entered by Ed Titanich on December 23, 2024.