Dimensions (cm): 16 x 1.5

Year: 1890

An ivory and brass mounted folding ruler in four sections, with detailed measurements on all sides, with maker's mark for 'Rabone & Son'.
John Rabone & Sons have been making rulers and tools since 1780\\. Based in Birmingham, they are now known as Rabone Chesterman.

Rulers, also known as rules, began as an attempt to standardize measurements based on the human anatomy, such as the foot and the hand. By the 17th century, rulers were marked in inches, with smaller, fractional lengths coming later.

From the start, the impracticality of very long rulers was obvious, so carpenters and tool makers alike devised ways to fold their wooden rulers so the tool would be easy to store and move from job to job. Rules that folded in half, thirds, and quarters were common.

Bar Code: 10198