Folding Ruler

Manufacturer / Maker USA rule

Dateca. 1915

Mediumwood, brass, steel, paint

Dimensionsfolded: 5/8 × 7 1/2 × 1 1/4 in. (1.6 × 19.1 × 3.2 cm)

ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Leonard Delara

Object numberPC2004.30.1

DescriptionFolding rule with 10 hinges or joints. Rule is made of yellow painted wood marked in inches with black paint. This folding ruler is crafted from light brown wood with metal accents at ten separate joint folded intervals. The ruler consists of segments connected by a metal hinges, allowing it to fold neatly for portability. Black engraved markings run along its surface, denoting inches and fractional increments for precise measurements. Each segment is further divided into smaller subdivisions, reflecting its use in detailed and accurate work. Between the numbers ranging from 1 to 60, with each section containing 6 inches. Folding rulers like this were common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, used by carpenters, architects, and craftsmen for tasks requiring compact tools for accuracy. This ruler represents a period when practical, hand-held tools were essential for everyday labor and technical trades.

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