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History of Science Museum

Simple Theodolite, by John Worgan, London, c. 1700

Inventory Number 15472


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.15472

Subject
Surveying
Item type
Object
Provenance
Lent by Christ Church, Oxford in 1925. This instrument is not readily idenitifiable in Thomas Wright's original inventory of the Orrery Collection, but its inclusion has been accepted by both R.T. Gunther (Early Science in Oxford, vol. I (Oxford, 1923), 368-9) and A.J. Turner (Early Scientific Instruments: Europe 1400-1800 (London: Sotheby's, 1987), p. 241).
Primary inscriptions
Signed "J: Worgan fecit".
Object type
Theodolite
Dimensions
Diameter: 32.8cm Height: 22.6cm Width: 34cm Weight: 2.95kg
Inventory No
15472
Accession Number
1925-43

Description

Brass theodolite or surveying compass signed by J. Worgan, undated, accompanied by blind-tooled, leather-covered case. The associated oak folding tripod with ball and socket head fits into a socket on the instrument.