Wooden Drafting Tool – Folding T-Square or Bevel Gauge
Object/Artifact
This is a wooden drafting or measuring tool with a pivot joint, allowing it to be adjusted to different angles. It is made of polished wood with a brass fastener at the joint. The tool appears to be either a folding T-square, bevel gauge, or an adjustable angle ruler, often used by architects, engineers, and draftsmen for precise measurements and angles.
This tool is likely from the late 19th or early 20th century and may have been used by Lewis Latimer or another engineer/inventor in drafting technical drawings for patents or engineering projects. Latimer, known for his contributions to electric lighting and mechanical engineering, would have used such tools for creating blueprints, technical sketches, and patent diagrams.
The Lewis H. Latimer Papers (1870-1929, 1972) [QPL Subgroup]Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]
There are no visible inscriptions or markings on the tool, but it is in good condition, showing signs of use. It is a functional artifact that represents early engineering and drafting techniques.