Made by Jesse Ramsden, this chain was used in the Primary Triangulation of Great Britain. This was a network of measured triangles across the country, used to underpin maps. The network was checked in a number of places by setting up a base line, several miles long, and comparing measured and calculated dimensions. The first line was on Hounslow Heath and General William Roy of the Royal Engineers used this chain for its measurement.

Picture Reference: 10280167
Subject: NATURAL WORLD > Surveying > Distance Measurement, Baselines
Inventory No.: 1900-0156
Credit: Science Museum

Keywords: 1780-1818, 18th Century, Base, Baselines, Base Line Chains, Base Line Measurement, Britain, Chain, Distance, Distance Measurement, Baseline, Europe, General, Great, Industrial Revolution, Line, Measurement, Natural World, Primary, Primary Triangulation Of Great, Ramsden, J (jesse, Roy, Roy, William, General, Surveying, Surveying Chains, Triangulation, Uk, United Kingdom, William

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