Images(4)

Four-Fold Yard Rule

Date1700-1800

OriginEngland

MediumBoxwood and brass

DimensionsOverall (Closed): 7/8 × 9 5/8 × 15/16 in (2.3 × 24.5 × 2.4cm)
Overall (Half open): 1 1/8 × 18 3/8 × 13/16 in (2.9 × 46.6 × 2.1cm)
Overall (Open): 35 15/16 × 13/16 × 13/16 in (91.3 × 2.1 × 2.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1992-110

DescriptionFolding rule with a three brass-bladed hinges, held closed by four brass pins. Four quarter-yard boxwood legs, numbered and graduated down to the 1/8" on one side and read from left to right. Another side with graduations for nail and half nail.Label TextLike the common foot long ruler, the yard stick has been a go-to measuring device for centuries. The problem of carrying around a three foot long piece of wood was solved by dividing it into quarters and cleverly hinging the four pieces together.