Did the Egyptians Use an Architect Scale Ruler to Build the Great Pyramid?

The Great Pyramid and Sphinx
The Great Pyramid and Sphinx

Some perplexing questions about pyramids:

  1. Did the Egyptians build pyramids?
  2. If so, why did the Egyptians build pyramids?
  3. Why did they stop building pyramids?
  4. How did they build them?
  5. Did they use an architect scale ruler to read their blueprints?

    Architect Scale Ruler
    Architect Scale Ruler

We consider the architect scale ruler to be a modern tool for engineers and planners. But since the Egyptians were so far advanced, why not assume that they used this modern tool, also?

 

The Biggest Problem With An Architect Scale Ruler

How Do You Use an Architect Scale Ruler?
How Do You Use an Architect Scale Ruler?

The biggest problem, is many people don’t know how handy they are. Even though they could learn how to use them, many people just don’t know how easy they are to use. An architect scale ruler is a short 6″ or 12″ ruler that is used to read a blueprint or a layout of a new kitchen remodeling plan.

How do you use one?

  1. Look at the bottom of the drawing. If it says 1″ = 4 feet”, then use the scale that is marked “1/4″. If the drawing says 1″ = 8 feet”, then use the 1/8 scale.
  2. When you want to see how many feet wide a hallway is, your architect scale ruler will read 4, if the width is 4 feet.

So that’s it in 2 easy steps. Now you can use a tool that was designed for architects!

How to Use An Architect Scale Ruler
How to Use An Architect Scale Ruler

How to Use an Architect Scale Ruler

Don’t be afraid of the unusual scales on an architect scale ruler. It might have 4

Architects Scale ruler
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure

scales, but you will only need to use one of them for a particular drawing. Let’s make one example. Take a look at the w906a Architects Scale Lufkin Tape. It has 2 scales. One is 1/8 and the other is 1/4. Let’s say that the drawing in front of you is drawn to the 1/4 scale. It says this in the information box at the bottom. The 1/4 means that 1/4 inch on the drawing represents 1 foot in real life. In this case we will ignore the 1/8 scale and use only the 1/4 scale. Set your zero mark at the corner of some part of the drawing. The other corner is even with the 9 mark. That means it is 9 feet long. It’s really that simple.

Which is the Best Architect Scale Ruler?

Architect Scale Rulers
Architect Scale Rulers

Suppose you own a business. Suppose your customers are architects, designers, contractors, builders, engineers, or real estate developers. Suppose you want to advertise your company to them, in a way that your name and phone number are visible to them every hour of the day. An architect scale ruler would be a very effective advertising tool for you! But which one?

  • Architect 6″ long with four bevel scales
  • Engineer 12″ long with four bevel scales
  • Architect 6″ long pocket scale
  • Hollow triangular architect 12″ scale

These scales are all good choices. Of course the 6″ one are very portable. They are for inspectors and estimators that are on the go. The 12″ ones would usually stay at the work station. Architects and engineers would need different scales, so that is something for you to consider. Ask a couple of your customers which ruler they would prefer. That would take the pressure off of you to make a difficult decision.

 

3331-3130 Architect 6″ Four Bevel Scales 3130

3331-3130 Engineer 12″ Four Bevel Scales 3331

3010 Architect 6″ Pocket Scale 3010

 

3030 Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale 3030

 

The Anatomy of Today’s Architect Scale Ruler

Using a Good Architect Scale Ruler
Using a Good Architect Scale Ruler

An architect scale ruler is used by architects, designers, planners, and draftsmen. If you are going to order some with your company logo, which ruler should you choose?

  • 6 inches long, or 12 inches long? Will the person using it, be carrying it in their shirt pocket, or in their brief case, or on their desk?
  • Scales. A good architect scale ruler has at least 8 scales. Examples are (1/8, ¼), (½, 1), (3/8, 3/4), (3, 1½). These are listed in pairs, because they share the same edge, but are marked in opposite directions.
  • Color. It is good to choose a color that goes with your corporate colors.
  • Imprint color. The logo imprint color is usually the same color as the markings. So, you should choose a markings color that has a high contrast from the color of the ruler.
  • A good ruler is imprinted using a photo anodized method. This assures smooth edges, so you can use a pen or pencil to draw tick-free lines.
  • Aluminum is the best material, since it doesn’t warp.

If your architect ruler has all these characteristics, you have a good one.

Where Will You Take Your Architect Scale Ruler on Spring Break?

Architect Scale Ruler for Spring Break
Architect Scale Ruler for Spring Break

When you’re packing your bags to leave for a much-needed spring break, what do you bring?

Clothes, swimsuits, shoes, toiletries, books?

Did you ever think you would need to throw in an architect scale ruler too?

Most people probably don’t need one, but for those dedicated architects out there,  you should probably have an extra one on-hand just in case the situation calls for it!

Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

The 3 Key Features of An Architect Scale Ruler (Plus a Bonus Feature!)

Architect Scale Rulers Save The Day
Architect Scale Rulers Save The Day

The average person doesn’t typically use an architect scale ruler– we tend to stick to just a regular ol’ ruler or tape measure. To be honest with you, I hadn’t even heard of these unique rulers until just a few years ago!

What do you think their best features are?

  1. Ability to quickly translate the measurements on a blueprint
  2. They are small and portable (ie: pocket-friendly!)
  3. They come in both rigid and flexible styles

Bonus feature #4: They can be imprinted with your company’s logo!

Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

No Holiday Gift List Will Be Complete Without This Architect Scale Ruler

Architect Scale Ruler for the Holidays
Architect Scale Ruler for the Holidays

The holiday season is officially upon us, and people are eagerly putting together their holiday gift lists. It’s best to plan ahead and take care of the employees and customers on your list who need an architect scale ruler. These are the best ones to spoil them with:

Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

Did Christopher Columbus Use An Architect Scale Ruler?

Architect Scale Rulers for #ColumbusDay
Architect Scale Rulers for #ColumbusDay

As our minds drift back to elementary American history lessons tomorrow, one can only think, “Did Christopher Columbus have access to an architect scale ruler in his day?”

Okay, sure, that’s probably not the first question that pops to mind when you think about Columbus Day. But surely, Columbus must have possessed a ruler of sorts to help measure his ships, even if it wasn’t an architect scale ruler.

Did you know..

  • Basic rulers can be dated back to 2650 BCE
  • Architect scale rulers are usually made of durable aluminum or rigid plastic
  • These specialty rulers help architects accurately make their drawings to scale
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

What is an Architect Scale Ruler and Why Does It Matter?

The burning questions is “Why does it matter”. If you ask an architect, he or she will tell you that an architect scale ruler is vital to their daily business. They would not be able to function without these rulers.

Architect Scale Rulers at Work
Architect Scale Rulers at Work

What is an architect scale ruler? It is a special ruler that is marked in special scales that correspond to the scale of the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1″ = 1 foot, then each inch on the correct scale will represent one foot in the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1/4″ = 1 foot, then each quarter inch on the 1/4 scale corresponds to 1 foot in the drawing. On this particular scale, each 1/4 inch is marked 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. So that the “4 marking number” is one inch from the zero mark. Simple, so far. But each of these rulers has several scales, so you don’t have to have multiple rulers in your pocket. Other scales can be 1/8, 1/16, 1/3, 3/16 and so forth. The trick of this business is to be able to choose the correct scale for each drawing you are working on. If you are reading a highway map which is drawn to 1/4″ = 1 mile, you would use the 1/4 scale. If you are with me up to this point, you could become an architect!