Mystery Artifact
Puzzler from the Collection
What is it This Time?
Sharon McCullar, Registrar
It is time for another mystery object from the collection! This measuring device appears to have been part of a larger piece of equipment. The device has two wheels driven by a fine-toothed gear in between. Each wheel is faced with a brass strip. On the inside wheel this brass strip is marked off in increments of inches – running to a maximum of 12 inches. The outside wheel is marked off in feet – running to a maximum of 12 feet. The marked wheels turn in unison as the center gear is turned, with the wheel marked in inches rotating 12 times to every single rotation of the wheel marked in feet.
The outside face of the Feet wheel is painted red and contains the following markings.
Marvel-Rack Mfg Co.
Minneapolis Minn USA
Pat. Pending
No 63 – this appears to be a serial number and not a patent number
Marvel Measuring Device
Approved by the Director of Standards for Massachusetts
Call or email Sharon McCullar, Registrar with any suggestions as to the function of this object. 722-0278 or Sharon@lakeshoremuseum.org.