Title :
The sector: its history, scales, and uses
Author :
Williams, Michael R. ; Tomash, Erwin
Author_Institution :
Comput. History Museum, Mountain View, CA, USA
Abstract :
The sector - also known as the proportional, geometric, or military compass - was an analog calculating instrument used widely from the late 16th century until modern times. The origins and usage of this commonly encountered instrument are not well known. This article provides historical background on the sector´s invention and on its precursor instruments, and describes the uses for many of the scales commonly found on these instruments.
Keywords :
calculating apparatus; geometry; history; analog calculating instrument; historical background; history; scales; sector; Analog computers; Art; Astronomy; Engineering profession; History; Instruments; Leg; Military computing; Navigation; Writing;
Journal_Title :
Annals of the History of Computing, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MAHC.2003.1179877
