The Egyptians employed plumb tools in their sighting and leveling instruments. This plumb line is important for lining up anatomical geometries and visualizing the subject's center of balance. Plumb bobs were appreciated for their ability to furnish a true vertical line. The device used may be purpose-made plumb lines, or simply makeshift devices made from a piece of string and a weighted object, such as a metal washer. Probably the most tried and true method, and maybe even the most common still used today, is the plumb bob style or weight and cable method. Students of figure drawing will also make use of a plumb line to find the vertical axis through the center of gravity of their subject and lay it down on paper as a point of reference. Ī plumb bob may be in a container of water (when conditions are above freezing temperatures), molasses, very viscous oils or other liquids to dampen any swinging movement, functioning as a shock absorber.ĭetermining center of gravity of an irregular shape The early skyscrapers used heavy plumb bobs, hung on wire in their elevator shafts. A variation of this tool has the plumb line hung from the top of an inverted T shape. An A-frame level with a plumb line hung from the vertex was also used to find horizontal these were used in Europe until the mid–19th century. However, if they are mounted on a suitable scale the instrument may also be used as an inclinometer to measure angles to the vertical.Īncient Egyptians used a plumb line attached to the top outer part of a tool resembling a letter E when placed against a wall, the plumb line would indicate a vertical line. A plumb bob and line alone can determine only a vertical reference. A plumb bob, line and square (Predecessor to the spirit level) from the tomb of Sennedjem, an artisan working on the tombs in the valley of the kings.
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