Four-Fold Yard Rule

Date1700-1800

MediumBoxwood and brass

DimensionsClosed: 9 1/4" x 7/8" x 15/16" Open: 36" x 7/16" x 7/16"

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.