POV-Ray : Newsgroups : povray.off-topic : Mysterious gadget Server Time
15 Jun 2026 12:59:00 EDT (-0400)
  Mysterious gadget (Message 1 to 5 of 5)  
From: Bald Eagle
Subject: Mysterious gadget
Date: 11 Jun 2026 06:55:00
Message: <web.6a2a923ee0fb582dd1d09a9825979125@news.povray.org>
I acquired this interesting device as part of a lot of tools (in every sense of
the words) and have yet to determine how it is used.

It is labeled "mechanical solution of spherical triangles"

And search as I might, I have found nothing on the interwebs that shows a
similar device or explains how it might be used.

The attachments are simply clamped onto the edge, like a caliper.
I have no idea if there were any more parts intended to go along with it.

Does anyone have any ideas?


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From: MichaelJF
Subject: Re: Mysterious gadget
Date: 11 Jun 2026 15:14:17
Message: <6a2b0909$1@news.povray.org>
Am 11.06.26 um 12:51 schrieb Bald Eagle:
> I acquired this interesting device as part of a lot of tools (in every sense of
> the words) and have yet to determine how it is used.
> 
> It is labeled "mechanical solution of spherical triangles"
> 
> And search as I might, I have found nothing on the interwebs that shows a
> similar device or explains how it might be used.
> 
> The attachments are simply clamped onto the edge, like a caliper.
> I have no idea if there were any more parts intended to go along with it.
> 
> Does anyone have any ideas?
I googled the words on the note attached and came up with the hint to a 
nautrigon:

https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Description-Nautrigon-Directions-Use-Instrument-Solving/588224941/bd#&gid=1&pid=1

Best regards
Michael


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From: Bald Eagle
Subject: Re: Mysterious gadget
Date: 11 Jun 2026 17:45:00
Message: <web.6a2b2b6022cafc23d1d09a9825979125@news.povray.org>
MichaelJF <fri### [at] t-onlinede> wrote:

> I googled the words on the note attached and came up with the hint to a
> nautrigon:
>
>
https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Description-Nautrigon-Directions-Use-Instrument-Solving/588224941/bd#&gid=1&pi
d=1

Ooooh - you had more luck than I did, and that is a VERY good lead.

Obviously there's a LOT more to this device than what I got.  Now I just need a
good picture of it, and a fairly through description of how to use it.
I did find "On an Instrument for Solving Spherical Triangles". but it would be
more comprehensible with a diagram to accompany it.

THANKS!  :)

- BW


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From: MichaelJF
Subject: Re: Mysterious gadget
Date: 12 Jun 2026 00:10:55
Message: <6a2b86cf@news.povray.org>
Am 11.06.26 um 23:40 schrieb Bald Eagle:
> MichaelJF <fri### [at] t-onlinede> wrote:
> 
>> I googled the words on the note attached and came up with the hint to a
>> nautrigon:
>>
>>
https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Description-Nautrigon-Directions-Use-Instrument-Solving/588224941/bd#&gid=1&pi
> d=1
> 
> Ooooh - you had more luck than I did, and that is a VERY good lead.
> 
> Obviously there's a LOT more to this device than what I got.  Now I just need a
> good picture of it, and a fairly through description of how to use it.
> I did find "On an Instrument for Solving Spherical Triangles". but it would be
> more comprehensible with a diagram to accompany it.
> 
> THANKS!  :)
> 
> - BW
> 
> 
> 
After taking another closer look at the image from the link above this 
morning, I no longer believe that your device is part of a Nautrigon, 
because the Nautrigon shown in the image does not appear to have any 
circular segments covering more than 180 degrees. That was an 
interesting lead, but unfortunately, it was probably the wrong track.

However, I haven’t found any other sources on the Nautrigon, and the 
original publication is a bit too expensive for me just to satisfy my 
curiosity.

Best regards
Michael


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From: Droj
Subject: Re: Mysterious gadget
Date: 12 Jun 2026 19:55:00
Message: <web.6a2c9b7022cafc23dec7f1e73b2af915@news.povray.org>
"Bald Eagle" <cre### [at] netscapenet> wrote:
> MichaelJF <fri### [at] t-onlinede> wrote:
>
> > I googled the words on the note attached and came up with the hint to a
> > nautrigon:
> >
> >
https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Description-Nautrigon-Directions-Use-Instrument-Solving/588224941/bd#&gid=1&
pi
> d=1
>
> Ooooh - you had more luck than I did, and that is a VERY good lead.
>
> Obviously there's a LOT more to this device than what I got.  Now I just need a
> good picture of it, and a fairly through description of how to use it.
> I did find "On an Instrument for Solving Spherical Triangles". but it would be
> more comprehensible with a diagram to accompany it.
>
> THANKS!  :)
>
> - BW

You might have a look at the link below

>>
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1878/december/brief-account-progress-art-navigation
<<

and search for 'OTHER DEVICES'. No manual how to use that thing but a hint for
what is was designed.

Droj


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