Collectibles -> Science-Medical -> Surveying Equipment

While many people collect cat figurines, dolls, books, sports memorabilia and almost anything you can think of, fewer people collect things like surveying equipment, medical instruments, mining tools and things of that nature. But those who do collect them are enthusiastic about their hobby, and usually quite well-versed on the history of the things they collect.

A piece of antique surveying equipment isn’t just something old and valuable, it’s part of our scientific history. Finding this equipment intact is a real thrill for most collectors, because it represents the ingenuity, creativity and inventiveness of us as a people. Our ability to calculate, think logically and create sets us apart from other living creatures on this planet, and antique scientific equipment of all kinds are representations of our development into the society we are today, and the technological advances yet to come.

An early piece of surveying equipment, one of the earliest in fact, was first mentioned in a writing by Thomas Digges in 1571. The device, called a theodolite, looked like a small tripod-mounted telescope. The surveyor would look through the scope and calculate distance between two points with the help of mirrors and etched glass. This was the hallmark device of surveyors for over 200 years.

Surveying, though, dates back to 1400 BC, when the ancient Egyptians began dividing plots of land to better tax people. It was given new purpose in 120 BC when the Greeks, using their newly developed science of geometry, surveyed for the purpose of dividing land much more precisely than it had been done before. The Greeks were the first to come up with a general set of procedures for surveying land. They also invented the first real piece of surveying equipment, the diopter, which served the same purpose as the theodolite.

With the industrial revolution of the 1800s came the need to find exact boundaries of land plots. Surveying equipment became more intricate and accurate, and the use of geodetic and plane surveying began. Geodetic surveying was the most accurate surveying ever done, as it followed the shape of the land precisely over long distances. While plane surveying, the most common method of surveying used still today, assumed that the distance between two points was a flat plane.

In the 70s, the total station replaced the long-standing theodolite as the surveying equipment of choice. Today’s total stations use lasers to calculate distance, and trigonometry is used instead of geometry to make calculations. Digital levels have replaced bubble levels, and all pieces of vintage surveying equipment have been replaced with new and improved digital, electric and computerized versions. Some surveyors even use GPS systems, though not exclusively.

When shopping for vintage surveying equipment online, there are some stores that do nothing but sell, buy, trade, repair and restore such equipment. These are good resources for history and background, and even for finding that rare piece you’re after. Online auctions are great sources, too, but be sure to search for “vintage” or “antique” surveying equipment to avoid modern equipment listings.

Photo credits: State Records NSW

Originally posted 2008-10-15 14:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Collectible Bottles Collectibles -> Bottles and Insulators -> Bottles-> Antique (Pre-1930) One of the most unique forms of collectibles are bottles and you’d be surprised at just how many you can find. Ranging from antiques that were produced in the 1900’s, to ones that are just rolling off the assembly line right......
• Wine Collecting Hobby As long ago as in the 1700s, it was recognized that wine had a powerful hold on people, and that great friendships could spring from good wine. The art of wine and wine collecting has a truly long and interesting history dating as far back as 4000 years BC. There......
• Ebay Collectibles To make a living with ebay collectibles, you need to have a good way to find a stream of products to sell. Ebay can be a great marketing tool, but an ebay collectibles business will fail if you don't constantly find more items. The best advice is to get sellers......
• Appreciating Video Game Collectibles Everyone was young once- And when you were young, you probably played video games. Throughout history, we have amassed quite a collection of video game collectibles. Video game collectibles are video games, video game consoles, video game accessories and video game memorabilia that are vintage or antique, or that are......
• Collecting Toby Mugs There are a myriad of different items and trinkets that can be collected, depending on your taste and interests. One example of collectibles that you may have interest in is Toby mugs, a type of ceramic mugs that are sold in Britain. These mugs are created with caricatures on them,......

• Antique Shops Online One thing that you will know if you are interested in antiquing is that there are antique shops located all over the world. When people think of antiques and antiquing, what they think about is buying items that and then hoping someday that they will gain value. When it......
• Why You Should Start to Collect US Currency When people think of coin collecting, they think about all types of currency, including US currency. Most will attempt to collect coins and other forms of money from a wide variety of countries and eras, building a vast collection that spans the globe. With that being said, there are some......
• Collecting Unique Vintage Car Memorabilia The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to the different types of memorabilia that you can collect. One example of a type of memorabilia that you may choose to add to your collection is car memorabilia. There has been a rise in popularity in collecting cars and car memorabilia......
• French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples......
• 3 Things You Should Know About Canadian Coin Collecting Coin collecting is something which happens all over the world and has happened all throughout time. It is no surprise there are people who enjoy Canadian coin collecting. These do not have to be strictly for people from Canada. This can include anyone who enjoys collecting coins as there are......

• Levels & Surveying Equipment Green Construction Store
• 1100 Total Gym Home Gyms Strength Training Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Defender Land Rover Hybrid Cars & Trucks
• 1500 Total Gym Home Gyms Strength Training Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Device Mosquito Control Pest & Weed Control Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery