Collections Item Detail
Engineer's "Y" (or Wye) level manufactured by Keuffel & Esser Co. in Hoboken, n.d. ca. 1892-1900.
Object/Artifact
Engineer's "Y" (or Wye) level with four leveling screws manufactured by Keuffel & Esser Company in Hoboken, no date, circa 1892-1900. No serial number or model number found on item; patent dates noted below. Metals, brass (painted and unpainted) and steel; glass lenses. Circa 11" long x 6-1/2" high, 4" diameter limb. ITEM IS INCOMPLETE AND FOR STUDY USE ONLY; lacking the level and its mounts for attachment.
Although stamped "Keuffel & Esser Co., New York" this device typically used by engineers and related professions was made in Hoboken. It is marked "Patented Dec 3, 89 [1889]; Aug 12 90[1890]; May 26 91[1891]. (Corresponds to patent numbers 393879, 434399 and 453159 respectively.)
Significant as an example of the designs of K & E employee John Paoli, an Italian Hoboken resident. He obtained several patents that advanced the art of these types of instruments including one, August 12, 1890, for engineer's wye level with removable telescope. See notes.
2008.012.0082
2008.012
Lukacs, Claire
Gift
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
1892 - 1900
Date: 1892-1900
Notes: From National Museum of American History, Behring Center, 2008: K&E introduced a new line of surveying instruments in the early 1890s, describing them as "a thorough departure from all the styles of similar instruments previously made," and noting that many of their improvements were "the product of the genius of our Mr. John Paoli." John Paoli was an Italian who lived in Hoboken, and who obtained several patents for such things as the twisted standards of a transit, the compass box, the leveling screws, and a telescope with stadia wires and cross hairs. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2008-06-06
