Transversal-scale rulers in the collections of the Lomonosov’s Museum of the MAE RAS and the Polytechnic Museum

Artifacts are exact and the least mutilated (in comparison with any kinds of texts) first-hand original of historical source on technical development of some definite period. Applying historical attitude to their studies leads the researcher the way of reconstructing historical technologies of inventing, producing and using of the object, reconstructing the way of engineering thought development. Studies of this kind are important both from the research and pedagogical point of views, besides, it is important both for humanitarians and engineers. Modern standards of humanitarian education should include the skills of working with artifacts as historical sources. The invention of transversal-scale is the visual example of transit from mono-dimensional engineering mentality to the two-dimensional one, but also a visual aid for studying practical technologies.