Standards

In the old days all geodetic networks started at a base and had at least another base to compare the first one to. These bases were laid out using accurate distance measuring tools as can be found in the Tools section.

In order to verify the chains, tapes and rods used in the field standard lengths were required to compare them to. The national standards were kept in the Parliament buildings, while for convenience local copies were distributed around the country.

In the collection are three local standards that once belonged to Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire and Northumberland: an Inch, a Yard and a Chain.