1870s Theodolite Troughton & Simms Antique Scientific Instrument of Measurement

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1870s Theodolite Troughton & Simms Antique Scientific Instrument of Measurement

About the Item

Theodolite in burnished brass signed Troughton & Simms London and housed in two wooden cases from the second half of the nineteenth century. Three-spoke base with adjustment screws, large horizontal and vertical graduated circle with opposing microscope readings, distance measuring telescope. This instrument has been used in terrestrial observations for the measurement of horizontal and vertical angles and also used in the measurement of magnetic and geographical distances and azimuths. Good condition, the optics of the vertical circle microscopes are missing. Instrument measures cm 38 x 35 x 47 - inches 15 x 13.6 H 18.5. In the second half of the 18th century, an instrument-making company established itself as one of the best in the country. The company was owned by two brothers, Edward and John Troughton. The Troughtons were mainly devoted to improving the methods of grading instruments. Troughton supplied his tools to many of the world's leading observers: Paris, Krakow, Brussels, Madras and Cadiz to name a few. Throughout his life, Edward continued to improve existing techniques. He also received several awards for his work. Due to advancing age, Troughton took William Simms into partnership in 1826. William Simms came from a family of engineers and toolmakers. His many inventions include an automatic splitting machine, which was able to speed up the process of grading tools, reducing their duration from weeks to a matter of hours. Under Simms management, the Troughton & Simms business expanded, and Simms was given the important assignment of building a theodolite (according to a design by Colonel A Strange) for the exploration of India, a feat of Sir George Everest, during which was discovered the highest mountainous region in the world in 1852. The Troughton & Simms firm remained in business until 1922. Topography studies instruments, surveying techniques, calculus and plans to represent graphically in scale a part of the Earth surface on a map, indicating its details like streets, rivers, buildings, cultivations… Topography is one of the most antique science. Egyptians measured lands along the Nile for tracing borders after periodic overflows of the river. Greeks and Romans used some topographical method very precise; some topographers teams (“gromatici”) following Roman legions traced borders and divided conquered lands in regular plots, then described and represented on copper plates. Arabs used topography to realize maps and to measure agrarian surfaces and lands for cadastral use.

Dimensions:
Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Width: 13.6 in (34.55 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass
Period:
1870-1879
Date of Manufacture:
1870
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Milan, IT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1020230343752

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