Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2219

Dictation at Spencer MacCallum’s request concerning the use of a small writing instrument found in a drawer at Roadsend Gardens, Elkridge, Maryland.

July, 1956

     This simple little section-liner was invented by me when I was a boy and was patented (U.S.) August 20, 1895. It was very much simpler than any of the many kinds then on the market. I went by bicycle in the fall of 1896 from Washington, D. C. to Gutenberg, New Jersey, where I had an instrument-maker manufacture several hundred of these simple little section-liners. They were placed on sale with Muth & Company, having an artists’ supply store on the west side of 9th Street between E and F, Northwest. A considerable number were sold at the retail price of 75 cents each, but I was never able to get any settlement from Mr. Muth, and it did not seem feasible to go to law about it.

1896 and 1897 were years of severe depression, with much unemployment. I was taking an engineering course at the Corcoran Scientific School, but for lack of money was not able to complete it. From time to time, I eked out my poor finances by taking a small satchel full of the instru­ments around to architectural and engineering offices, and after demonstrating their excellent operation, I was usually able to sell a considerable number of them at 75 cents each. I developed considerable skill in the operation of the instru­ment, which made my demonstrations impressive and facilitated sales.

     For operating, the edge of the instrument is laid at the angle desired. The end of the middle finger of the left hand is set in the depression provided at the mid-length of the instrument. The first and third fingers are pressed firmly on the rear bar, and while so pressed, the middle finger draws the front bar backward against the rear bar, closing the space between them. Now all three fingers press down to hold the instrument firmly while with the right hand a line is ruled along the front edge. The two rear fingers are then lifted. The spring pushes the rear bar backwards as far as the screws holding it permit. The two rear fingers then press firmly on the rear bar. The middle finger then draws the front bar again back against the rear bar and holds it there while the second line is drawn along the front edge.

     The distance between the front and rear bar is regulated for different widths of line spacing by adjusting the two slotted screws that connect the two bars next each end. A small key was provided with each instrument for adjusting the screws equally at each end so that the line will keep parallel. The grip of the key was flat to indicate the posi­tion of the screws alike at both ends. Some persons could acquire much skill in a short time.