stereotope photo-carriage with parallel guides and pantograph
Date: circa 1950
Inventory Number: 2009-1-0002b
Classification: Stereotope
Maker: Zeiss-Aerotopograph (founded 1921)
Maker: Carl Zeiss (company timeline) (founded 1846)
Maker: Albert Ott (founded 1873)
Maker: Dennert & Pape (1872 - 1978)
Owner: Kirk Bryan (1888 - 1950)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
storage, case: 16.5 × 76.5 × 50.4 cm (6 1/2 × 30 1/8 × 19 13/16 in.)
pantograph, collapsed: 5 x 61.5 x 2 cm (1 15/16 x 24 3/16 x 13/16 in.)
Accessories: in wooden storage case with metal handles; documentation booklet is now kept in the instrument's file; all other accessories are kept in the box and are included in the description.
DescriptionThe photo-carriage consists of a large base with two photo-holders: flat metal surfaces with engraved orientation crosses to put the pictures in the right orientation. The two holders can be moved independently with a set of screws that also are the input for the instrument's computations that result in motions of the pantograph, which can be connected to the computer mechanism below the carriage. To the base attaches an anchor block which serves to hold a stereoscope (2009-1-0002a). Also held from the anchor block is the measuring mark bridge, which holds two measuring marks very close to the picture holders. The stereoscope should be pointed directly at these. The present measuring marks consist of circular glass plates with a small red dot at their center.
The pantograph (made by A. Ott) consists of four aluminum rulers arranged as a parallelogram. The lower horizontal ruler includes a slider and a tracing point holder (for small scales), and is supported by the metal foot. The upper horizontal ruler is the only one without a scale. It holds a tracing point holder for large scales at the end (which would include cable release, in box). It connects to one of the vertical rulers by a joint and to the other by a slider.
Scales on rulers:
- front: 6-38 reversed
- left: 6-33 reversed
- right: 6-38 normal
- top: no scale
Accessories directly in the instrument's case: three Tommy screws used to attach the stereoscope to the carriage, a foot that holds the pantograph, and an unidentified metal bar.
Accessories in a box fixed to the bottom of the case:
Measuring marks: the existing ones are circular glasses with a small red dot at their center. Their box has space for another set, which is missing. The documentation that came with the instrument mentions that two sets of marks were provided with the equipment. Next to the measuring marks is an ocular with a red mark and a thin, massive glass tube again with a red mark (wrapped in paper). Also in the box are two screwdrivers, a brush, a light bulb fixture and an empty light bulb box (OSRAM), plus several replacement screws. Perhaps some of these belong to the pantograph or stereoscope. The box contains the cable release for the pantograph's tracing point.
Accessories in larger box that attaches to inside of lid:
Four paper bags with styluses of different calibers (all Brause & Co), three tubes of ink (Pelikan): black, bright green, vermillion red [zinnober], tape (Tesa), two erasers (green and blue-white), four cases of (Faber-Castell) pencil leads in black, green, dark blue, and red. Assorted pens and leads wrapped in paper. Two rulers, one straight, one triangular for angle measurement (the latter in its original unopened plastic bag). Finally, an unidentified wooden piece of wood with pointed end, foam pad and strips of paper stapled on, marked A.W. FABER / 51/2. (Perhaps for holding pens?).
ARISTO slide rule (also in that box), in its original cardboard box, but also marked ZEISS-AEROPHOTOGRAPH / MUNCHEN. Has a leather sheath marked with the ZEISS-AEROTOPO logo. The slide rule comes with an instruction leaflet. Also inside is a loose sheet that says in both German and English: "116 In case of claims please return this voucher / DENNERT & PAPE ARISTO-WERKE HAMBURG".
Stereotope documentation booklet (not a detailed instruction manual). Stamped "Alan V. Jopling / Department of Geological Sciences / Geological Museum, Oxford St. / Cambridge 38, Mass." The booklet includes inside a bag with a sample of the work that can be produced with the Stereotopo: A red and blue stereo picture that represents the stereographic view from the instrument, an actual aerial photograph that has had perspective contours added with the stereotope [picture details on its back], a map manuscript of the location of the same photograph plotted with the Stereotope, and a final topographic map of the same location, (all 1:10.000 scale). This booklet is now kept in the instrument's file.
From the accessories list from back of booklet: "Stereotope: 1 base plate, 1 drafting board [missing], 1 picture carriage with parallel guides and anchor block and two computers, 1 measuring mark bridge, 2 pairs measuring mark disks [1 missing] , 3 Tommy screws, 1 pantograph with accessories, 1 rigid tracing arm [pantograph?], 1 dust cover [missing], 1 case of miscellaneous drafting utensils.
The pantograph (made by A. Ott) consists of four aluminum rulers arranged as a parallelogram. The lower horizontal ruler includes a slider and a tracing point holder (for small scales), and is supported by the metal foot. The upper horizontal ruler is the only one without a scale. It holds a tracing point holder for large scales at the end (which would include cable release, in box). It connects to one of the vertical rulers by a joint and to the other by a slider.
Scales on rulers:
- front: 6-38 reversed
- left: 6-33 reversed
- right: 6-38 normal
- top: no scale
Accessories directly in the instrument's case: three Tommy screws used to attach the stereoscope to the carriage, a foot that holds the pantograph, and an unidentified metal bar.
Accessories in a box fixed to the bottom of the case:
Measuring marks: the existing ones are circular glasses with a small red dot at their center. Their box has space for another set, which is missing. The documentation that came with the instrument mentions that two sets of marks were provided with the equipment. Next to the measuring marks is an ocular with a red mark and a thin, massive glass tube again with a red mark (wrapped in paper). Also in the box are two screwdrivers, a brush, a light bulb fixture and an empty light bulb box (OSRAM), plus several replacement screws. Perhaps some of these belong to the pantograph or stereoscope. The box contains the cable release for the pantograph's tracing point.
Accessories in larger box that attaches to inside of lid:
Four paper bags with styluses of different calibers (all Brause & Co), three tubes of ink (Pelikan): black, bright green, vermillion red [zinnober], tape (Tesa), two erasers (green and blue-white), four cases of (Faber-Castell) pencil leads in black, green, dark blue, and red. Assorted pens and leads wrapped in paper. Two rulers, one straight, one triangular for angle measurement (the latter in its original unopened plastic bag). Finally, an unidentified wooden piece of wood with pointed end, foam pad and strips of paper stapled on, marked A.W. FABER / 51/2. (Perhaps for holding pens?).
ARISTO slide rule (also in that box), in its original cardboard box, but also marked ZEISS-AEROPHOTOGRAPH / MUNCHEN. Has a leather sheath marked with the ZEISS-AEROTOPO logo. The slide rule comes with an instruction leaflet. Also inside is a loose sheet that says in both German and English: "116 In case of claims please return this voucher / DENNERT & PAPE ARISTO-WERKE HAMBURG".
Stereotope documentation booklet (not a detailed instruction manual). Stamped "Alan V. Jopling / Department of Geological Sciences / Geological Museum, Oxford St. / Cambridge 38, Mass." The booklet includes inside a bag with a sample of the work that can be produced with the Stereotopo: A red and blue stereo picture that represents the stereographic view from the instrument, an actual aerial photograph that has had perspective contours added with the stereotope [picture details on its back], a map manuscript of the location of the same photograph plotted with the Stereotope, and a final topographic map of the same location, (all 1:10.000 scale). This booklet is now kept in the instrument's file.
From the accessories list from back of booklet: "Stereotope: 1 base plate, 1 drafting board [missing], 1 picture carriage with parallel guides and anchor block and two computers, 1 measuring mark bridge, 2 pairs measuring mark disks [1 missing] , 3 Tommy screws, 1 pantograph with accessories, 1 rigid tracing arm [pantograph?], 1 dust cover [missing], 1 case of miscellaneous drafting utensils.
Signedon pantograph: A. OTT / KEMPTEN / BAYERN / 12862 / GERMANY / D.B.P
on inside of lid: ZEISS / AEROTOPO
plastic plaque on front of carriage: ZEISS-AEROPHOTOGRAPH / MÜNCHEN / Stereotop / 66234 / Made in Germany / patents applied for
slide rule box: ARISTO-RIETZ 89 / MADE IN GERMANY 400g
on ruler: ARISTO Nr. 89 / MADE IN GERMANY
on inside of lid: ZEISS / AEROTOPO
plastic plaque on front of carriage: ZEISS-AEROPHOTOGRAPH / MÜNCHEN / Stereotop / 66234 / Made in Germany / patents applied for
slide rule box: ARISTO-RIETZ 89 / MADE IN GERMANY 400g
on ruler: ARISTO Nr. 89 / MADE IN GERMANY
Inscribedon base of pantograph: 12862
label on bottom of case: KIRK BRYAN / LIBRARY OF GEOMORPHOLOGY / HARVARD UNIVERSITY
label on bottom of case: KIRK BRYAN / LIBRARY OF GEOMORPHOLOGY / HARVARD UNIVERSITY
FunctionThis is an instrument used to make topographic maps. It uses aerial stereographic pictures as an input, and with the help of a mechanical computer produces contour lines drawn with a pantograph that connects to the carriage, and which can trace the results in different scales, from 2.5:1 to 1:5.
The Zeiss Aerotopograph was the first of a series of instruments that traced contour lines with the help of a mechanical computer. The calculations were approximate and the quality of the material produced was not the best possible, but its main advantage was its ease of use, which permitted its operation by relatively unskilled workers, something that was explicitly advertised.
For its operation, the stereographic pictures would first be properly aligned by a specialist and control points marked on the prints and other computations. Then the work could be given to assistants who would trace contour lines by moving the pictures on the carriage while maintaining the pictures aligned as seen through the stereoscope. The operators' movements were transferred to the mechanical computing system, which in turn transmitted the appropriate movement to the pantograph. The pantograph plotted the lines in the preferred scale.
The Zeiss Aerotopograph was the first of a series of instruments that traced contour lines with the help of a mechanical computer. The calculations were approximate and the quality of the material produced was not the best possible, but its main advantage was its ease of use, which permitted its operation by relatively unskilled workers, something that was explicitly advertised.
For its operation, the stereographic pictures would first be properly aligned by a specialist and control points marked on the prints and other computations. Then the work could be given to assistants who would trace contour lines by moving the pictures on the carriage while maintaining the pictures aligned as seen through the stereoscope. The operators' movements were transferred to the mechanical computing system, which in turn transmitted the appropriate movement to the pantograph. The pantograph plotted the lines in the preferred scale.
ProvenanceFrom the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 2009.
