Mathematical Treasure: Levinus Hulsius’s Theoria Et Praxis Quadrantis Geometrici

Levinus Hulsius (1550–1606) was a maker and dealer of scientific instruments, publisher, and lexicographer who worked in Frankfurt. He wrote several books on the use of mathematical and surveying instruments, including the Mathematical Treasures here and here. His Theoria Et Praxis Quadrantis Geometrici (The Theory and Practice of the Geometrical Quadrant), printed in 1594, is another example. Note that Hulsius coined the title in Latin, but his description of the text is written in German. His plan for the text states: “This is the description, instruction and use of the geometric quadrant and other instruments, so that every level, height, breadth, length, depth and certain distances may be observed and measured, according to Euclid and other learned mathematics rules.”

Several illustrations from this book:

The images above are provided courtesy of Bamberg State Library. A full digitization of this book is available here.

Index to Mathematical Treasures