E12029(2)History of Precision Measuring Instruments

The Origin and Evolution of Calipers

Contents

1. About the Nogisu

1. About the Nogisu ...............................................................................................................................1

Nogisu is the term commonly used in Japan for "aScale technology originated in the West in ancient Egypt

2. About the Caliper...............................................................................................................................2

handheld dimensional measuring tool using a sliding

around 5000 B.C. and later in China around 1500 B.C.

caliper arrangement". The tool comprises a straight beam

However, the history of industrial measuring devices iswith an engraved scale and a pair of jaws (calipers) which

unclear, especially regarding the vernier type caliper. It

can determine the size of an object by sliding the moving

is presumed that the sliding jaw vernier caliper derives

jaw along the beam to trap the object against the fixedfrom the evolution of ancient scales combined with the

6. World's Oldest Vernier Caliper (Nogisu) in Existence .........................................................................11

jaw and then reading the scale. To provide finer resolution

convenience of using projections (jaws) to touch, and7. Theory That the Vernier Caliper (Nogisu) Was Born in the U.S...........................................................12

there is an auxiliary scale, known as a vernier scale, that is

so define, the precise part of an object that is to be

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West ...........................................................13

used to interpolate between the coarser graduations on

measured. The details will be covered in a further section

the beam scale.

but, in Japanese usage, a caliper used to be classed as a

Any engineering factory worthy of the name uses a

scale device until 1945 after which it became a separate

nogisu - even a factory on the scale of one employee andmeasuring tool.

3. Origin of the Name Nogisu and Vernier Graduations ..........................................................................4
4. Oldest Sliding Caliper: Nogisu.............................................................................................................8
5. Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper till the Middle of 19th Century .............................................................98. 1. Slide-Catching Scale without Vernier Graduations: Simplified Calipers ......................................14
8. 2. Sliding Calipers with Diagonal Scale ..........................................................................................18
8. 3. Sliding Caliper with a Vernier Scale: Vernier Caliper ..................................................................19
9. Depth and Height Gages ..................................................................................................................26

one lathe. Also, many people who do maintenance workon their car have one.

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japan ....................................................................................28
11. Industrial Production Startup and Proliferation of Vernier Calipers in Japan .......................................36
12. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS ...........................39
13. Development of Height Gages in Japan ............................................................................................45
14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers ..........................................................................47
15. Summary / Acknowledgments...........................................................................................................53
References..............................................................................................................................................55

Note *1: This brochure is compiled by partially adding to the document of Origin and Transition of Calipers in Precision Engineering Fundamental
Course "History of Precision Measurement" 3rd Lecture (Website version posted on December 26, 2012).
Note *2: The terms used in this original document conform to academic jargon or JIS terminology.

12. About the Caliper
First of all, it is necessary to define what we mean bya caliper. This is because the writer has come across a
specification draft of ISO/DIS (International Organisationfor Standardisation / Draft of International Standard)
13385-2.2. The title of this draft is Geometric ProductSpecification (GPS) - Dimensional Measuring EquipmentPart 2: calliper depth gage - Design and metrologicalrequirements.
This draft was embarrassingly approved in 2011. The
problem is that it uses the term caliper depth gage.
However, this specification clearly concerns depth gages
alone and so the word caliper is erroneous in this context.
It is believed that the specialists who were in charge ofcompiling ISO/TC213 did not realize the significance ofthe term caliper so it was decided to address this point inthis document.
Moreover, to support this fact, the revision process for ISO
3611:1978 specification for the Micrometer was carriedout around the same time and the title was revised
from Micrometer calipers for external measurement to
Micrometers for external measurement (2). The removalof the term calipers proves the above point.
A calliper is a measuring device which measures adiameter or thickness of an object by gripping it between

2. About the Caliper

two parallel jaws, or point contacts). Therefore, a caliper
depth gage does not exist. It is believed that the reason
why the term caliper was used is because a depth gage
also has a slider, but this carries a reference base insteadof a jaw.
About 10 years ago, a specification plan for a calliper
height gage was submitted in Denmark. At that time,
this writer attended the meeting as a member of thecommittee and gave reasons to request a revision of thisplan, which swiftly gained approval by many of thosepresent on the committee. Another reason why thisplan was submitted incorrectly was that the BSI (British
Standard Institute) committee member had not attended
that meeting for several years. The abovementioned
caliper depth gage was established as an ISO specification
however, with an opinion submitted by the writer in
December 2012, it was reported that this specification is
to be revised in five years time.
There are many types of measuring tools that use a pair ofjaws, i.e. calipers, that have evolved over time. The maintypes found today are shown in Figure 1, listed under theirEnglish names.
The calipers in Figure 1(a) and 1(b) are external andinternal calipers. These calipers were mostly used inJapan until early in the Showa era and even during theSecond World War in some industries. They cannot
make direct measurements themselves but rely on an
auxiliary measuring instrument (such as a steel rule) to
determine the distance between the jaws after the caliper
has been set, and held by friction in the joint, to thewanted dimension by lightly gripping the corresponding
workpiece surfaces simultaneously with the jaws. In fact
they were often used together in a comparative modeto aid in machining matching components to a required
degree of fit, typically a bearing and shaft, which madeactual measurement unnecessary. These calipers requireconsiderable skill as successful use depends heavily on theconsistency of the user's feel.
After this time vernier (sliding) calipers, as shown in
Figure 1(c), began to be used in place of external/internal
calipers. This more advanced caliper enabled a workpiece
dimension to be measured directly with efficiency andgood accuracy. In recent times vernier calipers havebecome widely available and external/internal calipers
are now practically obsolete, although the principle is stillused. Due to the widespread use of vernier calipers, ameasuring tool with the sliding section carrying a vernierscale has become synonymous with the term caliper. Thismisunderstanding of the original definition of a tool thatgrips an object between two jaws, or points, resulted in
the misnaming of the abovementioned ISO Standards.
A type of caliper that uses the mechanical magnificationof the inclined plane (a screw thread) to provide improved
resolution, down to the micrometer level, is the micrometershown in Figure 1(d). However, a micrometer is notconsidered a caliper in the same sense as are types 1(a),1(b) and 1(c) even though its formal name is micrometer
caliper, which is commonly abbreviated to micrometer.
A sliding type of caliper that uses a gear system toincrease resolution is shown in Figure 1(e) and is known
as a dial caliper. Non-sliding calipers such as the dial
thickness gage, shown in Figure 1(f), and internal andexternal dial calipers shown in Figures 1(g) and 1(h) arealso available and also fall into the dial caliper group.
Recently, the digital calipers and digital thickness gages
shown in Figures 1(i) and 1(j) have become widely usedinstead of the dial thickness gage and these also belong
to the caliper group.
Now the time has come to recognize how greatly thevarious types of caliper described above have played
an important role in the history of mechanical andproduction engineering.

（ i ）Digital (sliding) caliper（ a) External caliper （ b ）Internal caliper（ c ）Vernier (sliding) caliper（d）Micrometer (rotating) caliper（e）Dial (sliding) caliper

Figure 1 Various Types of Caliper *3（ f ）Dial thickness gage（ g ）Internal dial caliper（ h）External dial caliper（ j ）Digital Micrometer (spinning) caliper

Figure 1 Various Types of Calipers *3

Note *3: Calliper is the British English spelling and Caliper is the American spelling. ISO Standards use British spellings. The terms in parentheses
indicate the method of contact of the movable jaw. The Vernier caliper does not provide magnification while micrometer and dial calipers
provide higher measurement resolution through mechanical magnification.

23

3. Origin of the Name of Nogisu and Vernier Graduations
The word nogisu somehow sounds non-Japanese.

and Schieber, meaning slide, which is therefore translated

In Germany, the term Nonius became synonymous with

South Kensington in London, the Munich Science andHowever, it is actually a Japanese word and it would not

as a sliding measuring device. In this connection, thevernier despite the fact that it was the Frenchman Pierre

Technology Museum, Germany, and the Conservatoire

be understood in other countries. In English the term is

French word Pied, meaning scale, and Coulisse, meaning

Vernier who invented the scale named after him. All

National des Arts et Metiers in Paris mentioned above.

vernier caliper, In French, pied a coulisse and in Germanslide, is therefore translated as a sliding scale.

German dictionaries give Nonius as the definition of a

Despite displays of old micrometers in all these museums,

Schiebehre or Messschieber. In Spanish the term isConsequently, the origin of the word nogisu would havevernier scale, presumably because Nunesʼ quadrant division

I wonder why no old Vernier calipers are displayed. Some

calibres pie de rey.

to be from Nonius whether from German or Dutch. At

method was seen as similar in principle to Vernierʼs scheme

people say the birthplace of the vernier caliper was the

The Japanese word nogisu is believed to be a corruption

Nagasaki steelworks, if nogisu were used back then, it

and that, for historical reasons, Germany did not want toU.S. and this may be difficult to dismiss, according to theof Nonius (meaning an auxiliary scale which divides a main

is conceivable that they were hearing the word Nonius

use a French name.

description in Chapter 7.

scale into smaller increments) from the German language.

which became Nonisu, which was eventually corrupted

It has widely been alleged that the vernier graduation

There are several ways of constructing a vernier scale, andThis is believed likely because there are many words ininto nogisu.

scheme was invented by Frenchman Pierre Vernier

five of the examples described in the Japanese Industrial

Japanese that are derived from German. Alternatively, it

The word nonius derives from a Portuguese named Pedro(1580~1637). He was famous as a mathematician, but

Standard (JIS) Vernier Caliper are as shown in Figure 3(6).

could be a corruption of a Dutch word. However, in terms

Nunes who wrote under the Latin name of Petrus Nonius

he was employed as a local government official. In his

They all use the same principle with the aim of increasingof mechanical usage, in Japanese there are more words

Salaciensis (1502-1578; Salaciensis simply indicates thatbook New Quadrant Configuration, Application andthe resolution of a scale without using mechanicalderived from English than from other languages. As will

he came from Salacia). In 1542 Nunes invented the scale

Property issued at Brussels in 1631, he described verniermagnification, which is that one vernier scale division

be mentioned later, machining technology was introduced

shown in Figure 2. This invention improved the accuracy

graduations, thereby becoming known as the inventor ofis slightly shorter than one or more main scale divisions

to Japan in two places; the Nagasaki steelworks andof the astrolabe, which was an elaborate inclinometerthe vernier scale. This was further embellished elsewhere,(limited to two in practice) and this difference in length

the Yokosuka steelworks, which were built by the Edo(an angle measuring instrument) used by astronomers,

resulting in a story that he also invented the vernier

determines the resolution provided. As the vernier scale

government as modern shipyards. A Dutch engineer cameastrologers and navigators for locating and predicting thecaliper. . However, the caliper itself with his invented

is moved relative to the main scale each of the vernier

to Nagasaki and a French engineer to Yokosuka. For thispositions of the heavenly bodies, among other things.

vernier graduations has not been found up to the present

graduations is successively aligned with one of the main

reason a large number of terms were bastardized from

His scale comprised equally divided concentric quadrant

time. Some doubt remains as to whether he actuallyscale graduations, and the number of the aligned vernierDutch and French to Japanese through the Meiji, Taishoarcs with each arc having one less division than the one

made a vernier caliper. Since French people are strongly

graduation times the resolution equals the increment ofand Showa periods (before WWII). Some examples areoutside it. The first had 90 divisions, the next 89, the next

patriotic, his vernier caliper would certainly be displayedsize to be added to the main scale graduation indicated by

given below.

88, then 87, and so on. When an angle was measured, thein the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers in Paristhe zero graduation (the origin) of the vernier scale. The

The Japanese word Touskan means surface gage incircle and the division on which the index arm fell werewhich has a collection of old instruments, if he had madevernier graduations are numbered to indicate increments

English and Parallelreisser in German, both of which are

noted. A look-up table then provided the corresponding

one, but no caliper of his has ever been stored or displayedof 0.1 or 0.2 mm for ease of reading the 1st decimal

completely different in pronunciation to the Japanese

angle.

there. I also have no idea why old Vernier calipers fromplace, so that only a small number of subdivisions need

word. However, in French the word is Troussequin, whichthose days are not stored or displayed.

to be counted to read the 2nd decimal place. There isbears a strong resemblance to Touskan, so it may well be

In France they call a micrometer a Palmer, derived from theno confusion in identifying the aligned graduation pairthat Touskan is a corruption of the French word. Priorname of its French inventor, J. L. Palmer. Although Vernier,because there is, in general, only one vernier graduation

to WWII, a lathe was called a Daraiban and a planer a

who is reportedly the inventor of the vernier caliper, wasthat aligns with a main scale graduation at any one time,

Shikaruban. Similarly, both words are corruptions of theFrench, it is not understood why they do not call a vernier

the exception being when the zero graduation is aligned

Dutch words Draaibank and Schafbank. Swarf is called

caliper a Vernier but use the term Pied à Coulisse instead.

at which time the last graduation (marked as 10) is also

Daraiko and a machine tool is Banko, which are also

The thing that Vernier invented was probably not a vernieraligned, but it is understood that when this occurs thederived compound words.

caliper but only the graduation scheme, about which hevernier increment of size is zero.

Nonius is a Dutch term for the vernier scale and nogisu

wrote in his book. Since sliding calipers were already in

Main scales universally adopt 1 mm divisions (for metricin Dutch is Schuifmaten. The German word for nogisu

use, I think he merely made a sliding caliper incorporating

types) and vernier scales are 19 mm (c) or 39 mm long (d),has been mentioned before but the word Schieblehre is a

his vernier graduation scheme. Even though French people

equally divided into 20 divisions to give a resolution ofare strongly patriotic they did not use the term vernier

0.05 mm, or a scale 49 mm long is equally divided into 50

meaning gage or scale. Moreover, the word Messschieber

caliper for some reason. The places where old industrial

divisions to give a resolution of 0.02 mm. In the past someis a compound of the word Mess, meaning to measure,

instruments are displayed are the Science Museum atvernier scales used schemes (a) or (b) in which scales 19

compound of the word Schieb meaning sliding and Lehre

4

3. Origin of the Name of Nogisu and Vernier Graduations

Figure 2 Nunez Scale

3) 4)

5

3. Origin of the Name of Nogisu and Vernier Graduations(a) Equally dividing 9 mm into 10, resolution 0.1 mm(reading value in figure 11.4 mm)(c) Equally dividing 19 mm into 20, resolution 0.05 mm(reading value in figure 1.45 mm)

3. Origin of the Name of Nogisu and Vernier Graduations(b) Equally dividing 19 mm into 10, resolution 0.1 mm(reading value in figure 0.3 mm)(d) Equally dividing 39 mm into 20, resolution 0.05 mm(reading value in figure 30.35 mm)

mm and 39 mm long are equally divided into 10 divisions

the main scale divisions. This is called a forward vernier.

to give a resolution of 0.1 mm, but these schemes are

However, another case is possible where the vernier

seldom used today because of their inferior resolution. In

divisions are longer than the main scale divisions and thetheory (see below) there is no lower limit to the resolution

factor becomes (αn + 1) in expression (1). In this case theof a vernier scale but the visual acuity of humans sets thevernier graduations run in reverse, thus being called alimit at 0.02 mm, and this is often only possible because

reverse vernier. A reverse vernier is seldom used due to thethe adjacent almost-aligned graduations each side of

non-intuitive reverse reading direction

the aligned pair can be compared to enable correct

Nogisu in Japanese corresponds to Vernier Caliper in

identification. Sometimes low-power optical magnification

English, which means a caliper with a vernier scale.

is also needed, depending on an individualʼs eyesight.

A digital readout Nogisu, of course without vernier

The principle of the vernier scale is simply as stated above

graduations, may sometime be referred to merely as abut for completeness the mathematical principle is given

Caliper. Communication using Japanese only may not cause

below.

a misunderstanding of terms. Today when exchanges of

For a vernier scale with division length V , number ofgoods with foreign countries occur frequently, the use

vernier divisions n, working with a main scale divisionof the term Caliper may not be proper in some cases

length of S, these parameters are related as follows:

because the term means a category that includes vernier(αn−1)S = nV ..................... (1)caliper, micrometer, etc., as shown in Figure 1. It needs towhere α is an integer value (limited to 1 or 2 in practice)whose only effect is to make the vernier scale easier toread by spacing out the vernier graduations if > 1. There isa small disadvantage to setting α > 1 because this meansthat a longer main scale is needed to provide a certain
full-range reading due to the longer vernier scale.
The resolution C provided by a vernier scale is the(e) Equally dividing 49 mm into 50, resolution 0.02 mm(reading value in figure 15.42 mm)

difference in length between one vernier division and one
or more main divisions, so that:

Figure 3 Examples of Vernier Graduations and Their Readings

C = Sα−V .......................... (2)Expressions (1) and (2) can be combined to show that:

Main scale graduation

Resolution

0.05 mm

Main scale reading
Vernier scale reading

16 mm
0.15 mm

Reading

16.15 mm

Vernier scale graduation

Figure 4 Reading measurements for Vernier scale graduation

6

be recognized that the term Caliper signifies a measuring
tool to determine dimensions of depth, diameter, etc. bypinching an object between two points.
Owing to the development of the latest measuring
instruments, the term Digital Caliper indicates not only adigital caliper but also a digital microscope.
A sliding caliper with vernier graduations is known asa Nogisu in Japan, which should be considered to be
the term for a sliding caliper itself independent of thepronunciation and form even if it was derived from
Nonius, meaning a vernier scale in German or Dutch.
Now, the pronunciation of this word has no direct

C = S/n ................................ (3)relation with any foreign language. Consequently, we

So that resolution is only dependent on the main scale

can say the term Digital Nogisu is more appropriate

division length and the number of vernier divisions. In

than Digital Caliper. In this document a sliding caliper

principle any value could be used for n but it only makes

is referred to as a Nogisu regardless of whether it has

sense to use a value that gives a sensible increment based

vernier graduations or not. Nowadays, both micrometeron 10, 20 or 50. Values for n are almost always 20 or 50

and Nogisu (sliding caliper) are digital measuring tools

to provide 0.05 or 0.02 mm resolution respectively, withthat can read in units of micrometers. Therefore, a digital

the latter representing the limit of usefulness.

sliding caliper and a digital micrometer (shown in Figure 1)

The vernier graduation numbering for a normal vernierthat can read in units of micrometers should be named acaliper runs in the same direction as the main scale

digital micrometer sliding callier and a digital micrometer

numbering because the vernier divisions are shorter thanspinning caliper, respectively.

7

4. Oldest Sliding Caliper: Nogisu

5. Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper till the Middle of 19th Century

The oldest scale of this type could be said to be that used

This is the world's oldest sliding caliper in existence, i.e.

At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution era in Britain

is equivalent to 27.07mm, just a little more than an inch.

in the ancient Chinese Yin era and made of mammotha Nogisu without vernier graduations. I would not bea sliding caliper was introduced in which the graduatedAfter 1840, France banned the use of units other than thebone, tusk, horn and stone. This was the Bronze Age,surprised if a sliding caliper like this had been made in

main scale with a jaw slid inside a sheath that carried themeter so it is assumed that this nogisu was made at aboutaround 1400 BC, and it was not until around 500 BC ironthe period of Han or Qin even before the Wang Mou era.

other jaw. A workpiece was pinched between the jaws

this time.

that was introduced to the construction. As time passed,

From the fact that the master gage used for the design ofand the measurement value read from the edge of thebone became bronze and bronze became bamboo, wood,the scale standard already existed in the Han Period 10)~12),sheath opening. Figure 6 is a diagram of the operating

13)

iron and glass.

it can be seen that science was advanced in those days.

principle. Hereinafter, this caliper is referred to as a

It is possible to measure a circular object with a line scale

For 1500 years or more after that there has been little

simplified Nogisu.

but it is a difficult and error prone operation. However,information about any sliding caliper, Nogisu. I imagine,

At the Industrial Technology Museum in Paris, an 1887

such an object can be easily be measured by fixing jaws

however, that a Nogisu structured in a type of L-shape

Pieds a Coulisse is displayed that has a sliding element

to the line scale and then placing the object between thesliding scale as in Figure 5 had continued for quite a few

scale. It is shown in Figure 7, where one jaw is movable

jaws.

years.

and the main scale carrying the other jaw emerges from

Nogisu type of scale can be seen in the Chinese nationala sheath. An object is gripped between the jaws andtreasure museum in Beijing in the bronze age section, andthe reading is taken from the edge of the sheath. The

is shown in Figure 5. It has a bronze main scale with an

sheath also has a scale engraved on it and the reading

attached jaw, a sliding scale carrying another jaw and isfrom this is added to that of the main scale to obtain thecalled Tama Shyaku which Wang Mang, who started themeasurement value, so that this instrument can measure

Xin dynasty in 8 AD, ordered to be made the year after

up to twice its closed length. This sliding caliper can alsoestablishing his dynasty. It is embellished with a beautiful

be used as a height gage by setting the caliper uprightfish tail shape on the right hand side. Immediately afterwith one of the jaws aligned with a reference surface.

his enthronement, Wang Mang put Chinese measuring

Figure 8 is a simplified nogisu of an older version of Figure

units in order when he created this scale, which was

7. It was made in France and is presently displayed inused mainly to measure marble and jewellery. This is all

Sliding jaw

11.55 mmFixed jaw

Jaw

Figure 6 Conceptual Diagram of Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper,
Simplified Nogisu

Figure 7 Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper, Simplified Nogisu(Made in France), 1887

the Mitutoyo museum in Tokyo. Like the one in Figure 7,
the main scale emerges from a sheath for measurement

recorded in writings from the end of the Xin era and was
followed by successive ruling families in China.

Main scale Scabbard opening Scabbard

7)

and has a millimeter scale on the front and a pouce scale
Sliding scale(which was the unit used before the meter in France) on
the back. The main scale of this simplified nogisu has awidth of 12 mm, a thickness of 2 mm and a measuring

9.3 mmFixed scale

Figure 5 Brass Sliding Caliper Developed by Wang Mou in Xin (China),
A.D. 9range of 150 mm. The jaws are triangular in section with

Figure 8 Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper, Simplified Nogisu(in Units of inch and pouce) (Made in France), about 1840

iron measuring surfaces of 5 x 50 mm. The sheath is brasswith a width of 15 mm, thickness of 5mm and length of
180mm. The main scale includes a pouce scale of 1/12
which has two scales: 1 ligne and 1/24 scale (6 point). The
sheath has a 1 mm graduated scale on the front and a 1
ligne scale engraved on the reverse. Similarly to the Figure
7 type, it has a 300 mm range when the main scale isfully extended, and it can also measure height. One pouce8

Figure 9 Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper, Simplified Nogisu(in Units of inch and mm) (Made in France), about 1870

9

6.World's Oldest Vernier Caliper (Nogisu) in Existence

A simplified Nogisu (of the same type had also been
made with almost the same range of inch and mm unit
graduations engraved on the front and rear faces of themain scale. Figure 9 shows the simplified Nogisu with ameasuring range of 5 inches and 120 mm, which wasmade in France and used in the U.S. The main scale to
be inserted in the scabbard has 1-mm graduations and1/10, 1/12 and 1/16-inch graduations. This Nogisu seems
to have been well used as the engraved mm graduations
on the sheath have almost worn off, leaving only little
indentations. Various lengths of jaws were available for a
simplified Nogisu in those days.
As for a measuring tool to measure a workpiece bypinching it between jaws, Gascoigne in the UK madetheworld's first screw-operated micrometer caliper, as in
Figure 10, in about 1639 16)~19).
The simplified Nogisus shown in Figures 7~9 have novernier graduations at all. They are just sliding calipers as
the name implies. As described above, Vernier introduced
vernier graduations in his book in 1631, but he may notactually have made a vernier scale.

10

Figure 10 Gascoign's Screw-operated Microscope Caliper (UK), 1639

Figure 11 shows a vernier caliper (Nogisu) which wasreportedly made and used at the Army Artillery Royal
Factory in France in about 1840 (Tenpo 11) in the same
year as the simplified Nogisu in Figure 8 was made. This
Nogisu is stored at the Weights and Measures Museum(curator: Kenzo Kobayashi) near the Hobo station on the
Sangi Line, located at Nakano-cho, Yokkaichi City, Mie
Prefecture. This Nogisu is 650 mm in total length. The
main scale has a width of 25.4 mm, a thickness of 7.13 mm
and a measuring range of 530 mm, and provides mm-unit
graduations on the front face and pouce-unit graduations
on the rear face. The front vernier scale in Figure 11 (a)allows reading down to 0.1 mm by equally dividing nine
1-mm divisions into ten. The rear vernier scale in Figure
11 (b) allows reading down to 1 point by equally dividing
11 graduations of 1 ligne (which is produced by equallydividing 1 pouce into 12) into 12. France had prohibitedthe use of units such as pouce instead of metric units since1840 by a law established on July 4th, 1837. Therefore,
millimeter graduations were engraved on the front face incontrast to previously-existing pouce graduations on therear face while the metric unit was made more legible.
For this reason, this Nogisu is believed to have been
made between establishment of the law in 1837 and its
enforcement in 1840.
To check the measuring accuracy of this Nogisu, Professor
Isao Ootsuna and others in Tokyo University compared
its performance with that of the latest Mitutoyo Nogisu
in 2009 20).They measured the lengths of 4 kinds ofworkpiece over the range 79.00 to 400.00 mm 21), withthe result as shown in Figure 12. The longitudinal axis in
the figure expresses the value given by subtracting the
Mitutoyo Nogisu measurement from the French Nogisu
measurement. The measurement results using the metricscale are indicated with • points and those using the
pouce scale are indicated with × points.
His paper was intended to determine pouce values for thelengths of individual workpieces and then the mean of
pouce values for each workpiece measurement. However,this figure changes pouce values to the equivalent metricvalues according to the relation 1 pouce = 27.07 mm.
From the result that the measurements obtained fromthose two Nogisus agree, on average within a differenceof 0.05 %, it can be said that this French Nogisu is very
accurate. I do not understand why this Nogisu made at the
French Army Factory is not displayed in the Conservatoire
National des Arts et Metiers in Paris even though thisNogisu exists in Japan, but since my visit to the museum
was some time ago the articles on display may have been
updated in the meantime.

(a) mm-unit graduated surface(b) Vernier scale section with pouce-unit graduations
Figure 11 Nogisu Made and Used at the Royal French Army's
Artillery Factory (in about 1840)(French Nogisu measurement) −(Mitutoyo Nogisu measurement) mm

5. Scabbard Type Sliding Caliper till the Middle of 19th Century

Aluminum
cylinder1998.5 cc Fabric measuring Metriccylindrical scale (Chinese contraction
calibration
vesselscale
laboratory model)

Measured length (mm)Figure 12 Accuracy of a Nogisu made in France (• points arereadings of the metric scale on the front face and ×
points are those of the pouce scale. The pouce scalereadings were converted to millimetres using the relation
1 pouce = 27.07 mm.)

11

7. Theory That the Vernier Caliper (Nogisu) Was Born in the U.S.

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the WestAn authority on U.S. machine tool history, J. W. Roe, who

In 1848, three years before the appearance of this caliper,

Two types of caliper were in widespread use from aroundDue to the advantage of these calipers that they use

might not have known of the existence of the above-a patent for a micrometer was first applied for in France.

1840 to around 1950, or till immediately after WWII,

jaws to grip a workpiece and read the dimensions morementioned French Army's vernier caliper, said in his bookAt that time micrometers were not valued products inand it is considered that either type was selectively usedaccurately with their vernier graduations, they have been"English/American Machine Tool Manufacturers" that a

Europe, therefore Brown's vernier caliper might be rightly

depending on the application. One is a simplified caliper

widely applied in the mechanical industries.

vernier caliper was first manufactured by the U.S. Brown

viewed as an epoch-making measuring tool. Since theclassified as a scabbard type sliding caliper, where only

It is found from examining the calipers exhibited in the& Sharpe Mfg. Co., also describing its origin as follows. J.

accurate graduation of a scale over a long range is far
from an easy skill, the development of a linear graduating

the main scale graduations inscribed on the caliper beam

Mitutoyo Museum that the simplified caliper and theR. Brown, a leading mechanical engineer and the founderof Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co., invented and manufactured

machine is a technology to be highly valued.

are read, and the other is classified as the original type ofvernier caliper, which is to say a sliding caliper with verniercaliper or sliding caliper with vernier graduations. It seems

graduations, appear in parallel up to around 1950 23).

among engineers at first and only four pieces werethat each type was used so as to meet the needs of theJudging from this exhibition it can be seen that French

manufactured in the first year. It seems they only became

application, but the vernier type became dominant over acalipers provided with vernier graduations have appeared

saleable three years after introduction. In other words,

long period.

since the early days, proving the development of calipers

the graduating machine was invented in order to makeAs described previously, in Chapter 5, the former sliding

as already described in Chapter 6.

accurate scales, the new vernier caliper was launchedcaliper type (or simplified caliper) was used as a kind of

The both types of calipers are described in the catalogs

using this machine, and then this type of caliper graduallyrule since long ago. The later sliding caliper with vernier24)~28)became widespread. In later years it seems to have

graduations, or vernier caliper, was the measuring toolCo., which manufactured calipers provided with vernier

become an accepted tool as shown by a Brown & Sharpe

whose origin is thought to be in France (or other European

graduations early, around 1851, and in the catalogs 29) 30)

countries) around 1840 or before.

of the L. S. Starrett Company of 1927 and 1930, taking

an automated linear graduating machine (with correction
device) for scales in 1850. Using this graduating machine
he made the first vernier caliper with a resolution of
1/1000 inch (0.025 mm) in 1851 (Kaei 4). He was very
proud that every mechanical engineer could now obtaina precision measuring tool capable of reading in sucha small unit, shouting with delight that it was reallyepoch-making. Consequently, the Brown & Sharpe Mfg.
Co.'s catalog stated (for a while) that Jos. R. Brown had
invented the vernier caliper. 22)
The appearance of the vernier caliper made by Brown
is as shown in Figure 13. The graduated vernier scale isconnected with the slider which moves along a dovetailgroove in a similar way as does the blade in the scabbard-

However, these excellent vernier calipers were not popular

advertisement in the premiere issue of the American
Machinist magazine, launched in November 1877, shown(from 1924 to 1985 or later) of Brown & Sharpe Mfg.

considerable advertising space.

in Figure 14. The advertisement included the eye-catching

Moreover, even in the L. S. Starrett catalogs of 1979 31)

subtitle FINE MACHINERY, SEWING MACHINES, and lists

the simplified calipers, which are of the pocket typethe various tools and gages on offer, among which VernierCalipers can clearly be seen.

sliding calipers, are described, with 3 pages besides for

type sliding caliper. The 1/32-inch main scale graduations

If Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. had first started

calipers with vernier graduations. It can be said thatare engraved on the ʻscabbardʼ to give a range of 6 inches.

manufacturing calipers with vernier graduations as above,

both are considered to have been used according to the

Although the details are uncertain from Figure 13, thisa similar belief that the principle was born in Europe andappropriate purpose.

caliper would have had a resolution of the order of 1/1000

manufacturing and proliferation were achieved in the

Furthermore, similar treatment is observed in theinch if the vernier scale was graduated with 32 divisions

U.S. might have appeared in the same manner as forcatalog of the Adolf Phifer company 32), a tool dealer inthe same length as 31 on the main scale (1/32 x 1/32 =micrometers. Such a theory would have been more credible

1/1024 inch). However, this resolution is based on fractionin those times when communications were relatively poor

Mannheim, Germany, which was issued earlier (1905) andtwo, not ten, so is not practical for precision engineering.

and under circumstances where no sliding caliper with

Thereafter the vernier calipers of Brown & Sharpe Mfg.

vernier graduations seemed to have appeared in Europe.

Co. mostly used vernier graduations in which 1 inch on

This report of U.S. caliper development was widespreadthe main scale was evenly divided into 40 and then aand people seemed to have believed it. 8) However, asvernier scale of 25 divisions gave a resolution of the morementioned above, the French-made caliper with vernier

describes these instruments seen in the abovementioned

convenient 1/1000 inch. 22)

graduations in metric and pouce units (manufactured

literature as typical examples.

the 1958-edition catalog of the Lufkin Rule Co. in the
United States and Canada after WWII. In the catalog of
the Stanley Rule & Level Co. there is a description of rules
34)

that also provided the caliper function. This document

in about 1840) is stored at the Weights and Measures
Museum. All in all, it can definitely be said that verniercalipers were manufactured in Vernier's country, France,
Figure 13 Brown & Sharpe-made Vernier Caliper (U.S.) in 1851

12

ahead of the first U.S.-made version.

Figure 14 Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.ʼs Advertisement in the firstissue of the American Machinist, Vol.1 No.1 (1877)

13

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West8.1. Slider on Scale without Vernier Graduations:
Simplified Calipers

Figure 15 Adolf Phifer Trading Companyʼs (Germany) Simplified
Calipers (Maximum Scale Value 80 mm) 1905

Figure 16 Adolf Phifer Trading Companyʼs Simplified Calipers(Measuring Range 65 mm) 1905

Figure 17 Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. (United States)-madeSimplified Calipers(Maximum Scale Value 4 in, Scale Interval 1/32, and 1/64 in) 1924

Figure 18 Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. (United States)-madeSimplified Calipers(Maximum Scale Value 3 in, Scale Interval 1/32 in) 1924

Figure 19 The L. S. Starrett Company (United States)-made Rulewith Thumb Slider(Maximum Scale Value 6 in, Scale Interval 1/8, 1/16 in) 1927

14

Simplified calipers evolved from the form of Figure 6 byremoving the front of the scabbard with the scale runningin a dovetail groove formed in the scabbard so that thescale surface and scabbard surface are almost flush. This
improved accuracy by eliminating parallax error when
taking a reading. Figure 15 shows this form of simplified
caliper with millimeter graduations used in Germany inaround 1905 32). The maximum scale value is 80 mm, andthe dimension measured is read from where the jaw on
the scabbard abuts the scale. In the same period simplified
calipers, as shown in Figure 16, with a slider on the scaleinstead of the scale encased in a scabbard were used. This
simplified caliper reads measurement at the edge of theslider end face and has a maximum scale value of 90 mm
and a measuring range of 65 mm.
Simplified calipers of a similar type also appeared in the
United States. Figure 17 shows a Brown & Sharpe Mfg.
Co. simplified caliper on which a feed knob is attached inorder to make the main scale (corresponding to a sword ina scabbard) easily fed 24). Measurements are read using the
projected portion of an arrow-like notch provided in the
scabbard as an index. Graduations are also made on the
scabbard at 1/32, 1/64 inch intervals, making this caliper
useful as a 4-inch rule.
The Figure 17 model is shown in Brown & Sharp's 1924
catalog. Since this company was founded in 1833 toundertake tool manufacture, it is quite natural that they
dealt with calipers, as mentioned above, in 1851. From
this background, it is reasonable to judge that this type of
simplified caliper had been manufactured and marketedat least before 1851. Calipers, as shown in Figure 17,
on which main scale graduations are visible were also
manufactured and marketed by the L. S. Starrett Company
in the same period 29) 30), a company that was founded in
1880. Starrett manufactured micrometers competitively
with Brown & Sharpe and both companies undertook the
manufacture and sales of steel rules, simplified calipers
and Vernier calipers. As a result, both companies had
distributed not only micrometers but also calipers at theend of the 19th century.

Figure 18, like Figure 13, shows the configuration of Brown& Sharpe calipers on which the main scale is exposed for its
full length 24) 25). The main scale (on the sword) is graduatedat 1/64-inch intervals, and can measure up to 2½ inches.
Figure 18 also shows the reverse side is designed to serve
as a rule, graduated at 1/32-inch intervals from the endof the jaw and up to 3 inches when the jaw is closed.
Starrett marketed a rule with a slider index that could be
easily operated with a finger, as shown in Figure 19. This
type seems to have been used in the same way as thoseshown above, but might have been intended for different
applications. There are two scales on this rule, the lower
edge being graduated at 1/8_inch intervals and the upperat 1/16-inch intervals. The slider is guided along a narrowgroove running down the center of the rule.
In contrast with this type, a rule with an adjustable hookattached to each end (1/64-inch graduations on the upperedge, 1/32-inch on the lower edge) as shown in Figure
20, and a rule with a fixed hook on one end (1/8-inch
graduations on the lower edge, 1/16-inch on the upperedge) as shown in Figure 21, were also manufactured. If
we combine these two types (i.e. those shown in Figures
19 and 20) we obtain a type of sliding caliper. A type ofcaliper that may be called an example of this, as shownin Figure 22, was also manufactured. Since the measuring
instruments shown in Figures 17 to 22 are included in the
catalogs of Brown & Sharpe and Starrett, it is apparent
that they were manufactured and marketed 24~26) 29) 30).
Figure 23 shows a simplified caliper made by Brown &Sharpe in 1910. It has scale graduations of 1/32 inch andis capable of measuring up to 3 inches. The jaw on theslider has engraved index lines for reading outside andinside measurements directly. The slider jaw is adjustable,
and the slider is provided with a screw-feed device forfine adjustment. This caliper is on display in the MitutoyoMuseum. Simplified calipers of the same type are found ina catalog issued in 1924, which shows that 6- and 9-inch
measurement-range models were added to the same 4-inchmodels with fine graduations of 1/64 inch on the front
side and 1/100 inch on the reverse side. To slow down theeffect of wear that occurs during repeated use the jaws are
hardened and the fine-feed mechanism has a somewhat

Figure 20 Rule with Adjustable Hook from L.S. Starrett Co.
(United States)(Maximum Scale Value: 6 to 48 in, Graduation: 1/32, 1/64 in) 1927

Figure 21 Rule with Hook from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
(United States)(Maximum scale: 4 to 36 in, Graduation: 1/8, 1/16 in) 1924

Figure 22 Sliding Caliper from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
(United States)(Maximum scale: 4 in, Graduation: 1/32 in) 1924

Figure 23 Simplified Caliper from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
(United States)(Measuring Range: 3 in, Graduation: 1/32 in) 1910, Same type in 1924

Figure 24 Simplified Caliper from L.S. Starrett Co. (United States)(Measuring range: 3, 4, 6 in, Graduation: 1/64 in on front,
1/100 on back) 1927

robust construction.
The same type of simplified caliper was also manufactured
by Starrett, as shown in Figure 24. This caliper also has
index lines, on the upper part of the slider, for reading
outside and inside measurements directly. This caliper was
15

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the Westmade around 1927. Its graduations are 1/64 inch on thefront and 1/100 inch on the reverse side. The caliper camein three measuring ranges: 3, 4 and 6 inches. Figure 25
shows a simplified caliper made by Starrett in 1890. One
model has a measuring range of 3 inches and is graduatedin 1/64 and 1/100 inch, while the other has a measuring
range of 6 inches, graduated in 1/64 inch. Both are on
display in the Mitutoyo Museum 23). The same type is foundin the company's 1927 catalog. The jaw on the left side is
moved as required and then fixed with the thumbscrew.
The workpiece is then pinched between this jaw and theslider jaw to perform measurement while making finefeed adjustment as necessary. A similar type was also
manufactured by Brown & Sharpe. Figure 26 shows aStarrett simplified caliper fitted with screw-clamping at
the end of each jaw for attaching needle points to allow
measurement of inside features on automobile tire molds.
This multi-purpose caliper can also be used as a distancesetting gage for spring-loaded internal and external

Figure 25 Sliding Caliper from L.S. Starrett Co. (United States)(Measuring range: 3~6 in, Graduation: 1/64, 1/100 in) 1890, 1927

Figure 26 Simplified Multi-purpose Caliper for Measuring Tire
Molds, etc. from L.S. Starrett Co. (United States)(Graduation: 1/32 in, Reverse graduations on upper side) 1927

Figure 27 Simplified Pocket Caliper from L.S. Starrett Co. (United States)(Measuring range: 4 in, Lower graduation: 1/32 in, Upper graduation forcircumference: 1/64 in) 1960

16

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the Westcalipers, as shown at lower right in the figure. It is also
possible to attach a scriber as required. The beam is 1¼
inch wide and 0.85 inch thick. Five measuring ranges
from 12 to 48 inches were available with graduations of
1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64 inch to allow a wide range ofapplication.
Figure 27 shows a simplified pocket caliper made byStarrett in 1960, which is on display in the MitutoyoMuseum. It is capable of measuring the diameter of roundparts to a precision of 1/32 inch and the circumference
to a precision of 1/16 inch. The caliper is provided witha scale feed knob and a clamp mechanism. This caliper
is included in Starrett's 100th anniversary catalog
published in 1979 31), indicating that it had been used until
recently. Similar types of simplified calipers for measuring
diameter and circumference were manufactured by othercompanies. One such example is shown in Figure 28 33).
This caliper was made by The Lufkin Rule Co. in 1958.
Since the company was established in 1869, it is assumed

Figure 28 Simplified Pocket Caliper from The
Lufkin Rule Co. (United States)(Graduation: 1/32 in on lower side, 1/16 in on
upper side for circumference) 1958

Figure 29 Wooden Sliding Caliper(Made in France. Upper graduation for diameter: 1 cm withmaximum scale of 25 cm, Lower graduation for circumference:
2.5 cm with maximum scale of 80 cm) 1930

Figure 30 Folding Scale with Simplified Caliper from the Stanley
Rule & Level Co. (United States)(Made of wood, ivory or horn. Graduation: 1/16 in, Folding scale
graduation: 1/10, 1/8 in) 1920

that this caliper was manufactured from the second halfof the 19th century to the 1960s. Dating from before
the products mentioned above, simplified wooden
calipers that could measure both round bar diameter andcircumference were made in 1930 in France. One suchcaliper, shown in Figure 29, was intended for measuring
trees. It is on display in the Mitutoyo Museum 23). Wooden
rules equipped with a simplified caliper on one end
existed in the United States and Europe. Figure 30 showsa folding rule with a sliding caliper 34). In addition to wood,
this caliper was also made of animal horn and ivory, andit can be adapted to measure various lengths. Figure 31
shows a caliper made by the Dunlop Co. (United States) in
1920. Although the main beam is made of a thin material,
the shape is similar to today's vernier calipers including
the jaws for inside measurement, provided on the upperedge, which are of knife-edge form. This caliper also hasa thumbwheel feed for the slider and a lever to lock theslider in position.

Figure 31 Simplified Caliper from Dunlop Co. (United States)(Measuring range: 5 in, Graduation: 1/16 and 1/32 in) 1920

Figure 32 Simplified Caliper from Chesterman Sheffield (UK)
(Measuring range: 4 in, 120 mm, Graduation: 1/32 in, 0.5mm) 1900

Figure 33 Simplified Caliper from Parker (UK)
(Measuring range: 5 in, 130 mm, Graduation: 1/32 in, 1 mm) 1920

Although we have mainly discussed the situation in the
United States, a similar tendency is observed in Europe
following the calipers made in Germany shown in
Figures 15 and 16. Simplified calipers made in the UK
and Germany are shown in Figures 32 to 36, which are
on display in the Mitutoyo Museum. Most of them haveboth millimeter and inch graduations. Figures 16, 32 and33 show a type where the slider with a jaw is moved bysliding, and readings are taken from the left-hand edgeof the slider. The calipers in Figures 31 and 33 have beakshaped jaws on the upper edge for inside measurement of
workpiece features such as holes.
Figure 36 shows a common type of caliper that does
not have vernier graduations 23). It was manufactured
more recently in 1950, which explains this structure.
This shape may be retained if the caliper continues to be
manufactured.
Thus, simplified calipers had been used for more than 100
years before 1950.

Figure 34 Simplified Caliper from Rabone and Sons (UK)
(Measuring range: 3 in, 80 mm, Graduation: 1/32 in, 1mm) 1920

Figure 35 Simplified Caliper from Cotterell GmbH (Germany)(Measuring range: 2 in, 50 mm, Graduation: 1/16 in, 1 mm) 1930

Figure 36 Simplified Caliper from Sheffield (UK)
(Measuring range: 5 in, 13 cm, Graduation: 1/32 in, 0.5 mm) 1950

17

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

8.2 Sliding Calipers with a Diagonal Scalepouce (0.5 ligne), and its diagonal scale uses 1 ligne (1/12

A caliper diagonal scale is constructed by engraving the

pouce) graduations and has 12 vertical graduations on thescale as a series of short, parallel lines of equal length

reading edge of the slider, allowing one twelfth (2 points)

across the beam at an angle to the direction of slider

of one graduation to be easily read.

travel, with the end of one line being coincident with the

The pouce scale of the lower caliper shown uses a vernier

start of the next, so that the reading edge of the slider

scale where 11 graduations over 0.5 ligne are divided

always intersects one of the lines. Each of these lines is

into 12 graduations to provide a resolution of 1 point. It
appears that this resolution was intended to match that

numbered according to its start distance from the origin,which will be an integer number of units, and the slider(a) Reverse side; Diagonal (1 ligne) scale

1/10 of a main scale graduation to be read. This caliper,

being the sum of the nearest graduation to a line at its

having both diagonal and vernier scales, may have been

point of intersection and the number on the line. This

produced for a specific purpose other than for generalarrangement has the effect of making the scale longer

use.

and so produces greater resolution. It is said that theConsidering the usage of the pouce unit and diagonal

diagonal scale was invented by a Hebrew (Israelite) named

scales, it is reasonable to assume that the upper caliper

5)

Levi ben Gershon in the 14th century . This means thatin Figure 37 was manufactured before 1840. In Japan,

the diagonal scale is two centuries older than the vernier

Noriyuki Ohno-Yasaburo made a caliper with a diagonal

scale. It was used in devices such as Jacob's staff (a type(b) Front side; Lower: 1/10 vernier scale, Upper: Without fine graduationsof distance measuring device), compasses and sextants. It

Figure 37 Caliper with Diagonal Scale(Ted Crum Collection, France) 1850~1890

Figure 39 Vernier Caliper (Made in France)(Measuring range: 150 mm, Minimum reading 0.05 mm
by dividing 19 mm into 20), Around 1890

scale (shown in Figure 76) in the 1840s. This caliper is
described later.
Figure 40 Vernier Caliper (Made in France)(Measuring range: 100 mm, Minimum reading: 0.1 mm),Around 1890

astronomer, built an observatory on Heveen Island inabove assumption about the period of manufacture is1576, he made a wall quadrant having a diagonal scalequestionable because it was after this time. However, as

8.3 Sliding Caliper with a Vernier Scale:the Vernier Caliper

with a 2 meter radius to improve observation accuracy.

the pouce unit was used in optics for lens features such as

As described in Chapter 6, the oldest sliding caliper with

Given that diagonal scales were used in astronomy andfocal distance and thickness, this caliper might have beena vernier scale, or vernier caliper, in existence wassurvey equipment, it is not surprising that they were used

manufactured solely for the measurement of lenses. In

made in France around 1840. Figures 38 to 42 show

on calipers to improve resolution. However, since there

addition, Napoleon III restored the empire, and may havevernier calipers made in the 1890s, which are on

are few calipers that use a diagonal scale remaining in therelaxed the regulations on weights and measures arounddisplay in the Mitutoyo Museum 23). As with the oldest

world, they are considered to be a rare type of caliper.

1850, which seems to have led to the above assumption

vernier caliper in existence, all of these vernier calipers

Figure 37 shows a caliper with a diagonal scale, whichon the manufacturing period.

were made in France, which indicates that France wasis included in the Ted Crum collection in France 35) *4.

The calipers shown in Figure 37 are very similar but withadvanced in terms of the development of calipers with aThis caliper is assumed to have been manufactured fromthe important difference that one uses vernier scales. They

vernier scale.

10 mm. The slider is provided with a clamp mechanism.

1850 to 1890. The units used are millimeter and pouce.

both have diagonal scales graduated in the pouce unit on

The vernier caliper in Figure 38 has a shape that is similar

The vernier caliper shown in Figure 39, which is similar toTransition to the metric unit, which was forced throughtheir reverse sides (a). The front sides (b) have a millimeterto that of vernier calipers from Roc in France. Its

the one in Figure 38, has the same measuring range ofby law, had been under way in France since 1840. The

scale on the upper edge and a pouce scale on the lower

measuring range is 150 mm and the vernier scale evenly

150 mm but its beam and jaws are somewhat larger. Thisedge, with one graduation only subdivided by a diagonal

divides 9 main scale 1 mm graduations into 10 verniercaliper uses a vernier scale that divides 19 mm into 20

scale. The lower caliper shown in (a) and (b) is different in

graduations to provide a resolution of 0.1 mm. It has

graduations to provide a resolution of 0.05 mm, which isthat both main scales on the front are read using a vernier

an inside measurement face on the end of each jaw,

finer than that of the vernier caliper shown in Figure 38

auxiliary scale. The graduation of the pouce scale is 1/24

allowing measurement of inside diameters greater thanand matches that of today's vernier calipers.

5)Note *4: When we made an inquiry to dozens of overseas researchersof metrology about the existence of calipers with a diagonal
scale, Prof. Dr. Robert J. Hocken (University of North Carolina
at Charlotte, USA) told us about the Ted Crum Collection in
France.

18of the diagonal scale. The millimeter vernier scale allows

is graduated along its reading edge with a measurement

is well known that when Tycho Brahe, the famous Danish

Figure 38 Vernier Caliper (Made in France)(Measuring range: 150 mm, Minimum reading 0.1 mm
by dividing 9 mm into 10), Around 1890

Figure 41 Vernier Caliper with Round Jaws (Made in France)(Measuring range: 150 mm, Minimum reading: 0.1 mm),Around 1890

19

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the WestThis use of 0.05 mm resolution is considered to be

Figure 43 shows a precision vernier caliper 32) madeThe vernier caliper in Figure 43 was manufactured inquite early at a time when 0.1 mm was common. The

in 1905, which was marketed by Adolf Pfeiffer. Like

two versions: one with a vernier on the zoll scale on thesmaller vernier caliper in Figure 40, made in France, has a

the vernier caliper in Figure 41, it has round jaws forlower edge, and one without it. There was also a version

measuring range of 100 mm and a resolution of 0.1 mm.

measuring the thickness of tubes and pipes whilewith an inch scale in place of the zoll scale. Today, theThe vernier caliper in Figure 41 has, in addition to

avoiding interference with their edges. In a variation

inch scale is called the zoll scale in Germany. Threeordinary outside measuring jaws, round jaws that allowof this caliper, this part consists of knife-edged jaws tomeasuring ranges, 200, 250 and 300 mm, with different

measurement of thickness in hard-to-reach places. Its

allow measurement of thin workpieces. This caliper is

jaw lengths were available for this caliper.

measuring range is 150 mm with a resolution of 0.1 mm.

equipped with a slider fine-feed mechanism that allows

Adolf Pfeiffer also provided the vernier caliper shown

Also around 1900, Helios Co. in Germany was selling aprecise contact of the jaws with a workpiece. Therein Figure 44 for general use. This caliper came in twovernier caliper similar to the one in Figure 38.

is also a type of vernier caliper that has a fine-feedversions: one with pointed tips on the upper jaws for

Figure 42 shows a vernier caliper made by Rawco Co. inmechanism with graduations.

groove measurement and the other without. Just like thethe UK around 1900. Similar to today's vernier calipers,

The vernier caliper in Figure 43 has millimeter graduations

example in Figure 43 it carries both millimetre and zoll

it has a depth bar and can serve multiple purposeson the main scale with a vernier scale that divides 9 mm

scales with resolutions of 0.1 mm and 1/128 zoll.

impossible action is trivial only after it is demonstrated

including inside, outside, depth and step measurements.

into 10 vernier graduations to provide a resolution of 0.1

Figure 45 shows a vernier caliper that Adolf Pfeiffer

how it can be done). Similar to the vernier caliper

In addition, it has a slider fine-feed mechanism to

mm. The lower edge has 1/16 zoll graduations. The zoll

marketed with the brand name Columbus Caliper aroundmade by Rawco Co. in Figure 42, it has an advanced

32)

Figure 47 Vernier Caliper Made in Russia
Measuring Range: 150 mm, Minimum reading: 0.05 mm(dividing 39 mm into 20) 1910

Figure 48 Vernier Caliper from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
(Measuring Range: 5 in, Minimum reading: 0.001 in.) 1910

precisely set the jaw for higher measurement accuracy.

unit (1 zoll = 26.1 mm) was used before the metric unit in1905 . There are millimeter and zoll (1/16 zoll) or inch

structure for the time, providing measurement functions

Its measuring ranges are 100 mm and 4 inches with aGermany (Preussen). Seven graduations on the zoll scale(1/16 in) scales. The outside and inside measuring jaws

comparable to those of todayʼs vernier calipers.

resolution of 0.1 mm.

are divided into 8 increments to provide a resolution

are separated. This vernier caliper also has a depth bar,

Rawcoʼs vernier caliper in Figure 42 was made around

The inch vernier scale divides 7 main scale graduationsof 1/128 zoll. In the period of unit transition, both themaking it a multipurpose caliper to allow measurement

1900. Adolf Pfeiffer ʼs vernier caliper in Figure 45 wasover 1/16 inch into 8 vernier graduations to provide a

old and new units were used on these calipers for theof depth, steps, etc. It belongs to the first instances ofin their 1905 catalog, indicating that Rawcoʼs caliper

resolution of 1/128 inch. This caliper is similar to theconvenience of users.

calipers with a depth bar, which may be the reason forwith depth bar is older. However, the naming of their

its naming which seems to have been associated with

Columbus Caliper (Figure 45) by Adolf Pfeiffer might

Columbusʼ Egg (i.e. it ʼs easy to say that a seemingly

have been associated with a new function that no one

Columbus Caliper described below.

had thought of before, so it is possible that Adolf Pfeiffer
released a vernier caliper with a depth bar before Rawco,
although there is no evidence that shows which was
first.
Figure 42 Multi-purpose Vernier Caliper from Rawco Co. (UK)
(Provided with a depth bar, Maximum scale on lower edge: 120 mm,
Upper scale: 5 in, Measuring range: 100 mm, 4 in, Minimum reading:
0.1 mm, 1/128 in (dividing 7 graduations over 1/16 inch into 8) 1900

Figure 44 Vernier Caliper from Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany)(Measuring range: 150 mm, 6 zoll, Minimum reading:
0.1 mm, 1/128 zoll) 1905

Figure 48 shows a vernier caliper made by the Brown& Sharpe Mfg. Co. in 1910, which is on display in the
Mitutoyo Museum. Its measuring range is 5 inches, andthe vernier scale divides 24 graduations over 1/40 inch
into 25 graduations to provide a resolution of 1/1000
inch, as described in Chapter 7. A vernier caliper withsimilar specifications is shown in Figure 49, which isincluded in the 1924 Brown & Sharpe catalog 24). It has

Figure 43 Precision Vernier Caliper with Round Jaws
from Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany)(Maximum scale on upper edge: 200 mm, Lower scale: 8 zoll,
Measuring range: 150 mm, 6 zoll, Minimum reading: 0.1 mm,
1/128 zoll (dividing 7 graduations over 1/16 zoll into 8) 1905

20

Figure 45 Multi-purpose Vernier Caliper
from Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany)(Provided with a depth bar, Named Columbus Caliper, Measuring
range: 100 mm, 4 zoll, Minimum reading: 0.1 mm, 1/128 zoll) 1905

larger measuring ranges of 6, 12, 24 and 36 inches, andFigure 46 Example Use of Vernier Caliper for Work
from Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany) 1905

models with corresponding millimeter ranges, that is:
150, 300, 600 and 900 mm models were also available.
218. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

Figure 50 shows a very unusual caliper made by theset out to manufacture vernier calipers for checking theshown in Figure 50. Thus, calipers with jaws designed

L.S. Starrett Co. around 1900, which is on display in thepitch and thread shape of threading tools (Figure 52) andfor specific workpieces appeared around 1920, thus

calipers for measuring gear tooth thickness (Figure 53) .

expanding the application of calipers.

The screw thread caliper shown in Figure 52, which is

Figure 57 shows an outside vernier caliper made inwithout using a vernier scale. The main scale has 1/40-

used by setting it to the required pitch width of a thread,

Holland around 1920, which is on display in the Mitutoyoinch graduations and a measuring range of 6 inches. One

allows inspection with a precision of 1/1000 inch. The

Museum 23). This caliper is provided with a thumb rest for

graduation is equivalent to one revolution of a slider jaw

gear-tooth caliper in Figure 53 is almost the same asmoving the slider and a clamp. It has millimeter and 1/16

adjustment nut provided below the main screw, and thistoday's calipers of the same type. Starrett also marketedinch scales with resolutions of 0.1 mm and 1/128 inch.

is divided into 25 graduations around its circumference,a gear tooth caliper as well as a dovetail caliper, as

The measuring faces are screwed to the jaws and arein the same way as on a micrometer thimble. The use ofshown in Figure 54 29). The latter caliper uses rollers

replaceable.

such a micrometer screw enables a resolution of 1/40

which make contact with the angled sides of a dovetail

Figures 58 and 59 show two vernier calipers

x 1/25 inch, or 1/1000 inch, to be achieved. This is one

to determine its width. Production and use of calipers

manufactured by the Helios Co. in Germany betweenof the rare types of caliper. In addition to the 6-inch

intended for specific workpieces started sometime after

1920 and 1940, which are on display in the Mitutoyo

measuring range model in Figure 50, this caliper was

1900. Figures 55 and 56 show calipers integrated with

Museum 23). Helios was established in 1910, and theavailable in 4-inch and 12-inch models. It seems that thisa micrometer head. These calipers are used to extend

first caliper was made at the time of the company's

caliper had been used for more than 30 years.

the measuring range of the micrometer head to 6 or 12

foundation; the second is an advanced model. These

The standard types of vernier calipers made and soldinches. They were probably easier to use than the model

are similar in shape to the simplified calipers shown in

23)

Mitutoyo Museum . This was called the micrometer
caliper
Figure 49 Vernier Caliper from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. (United States)(Minimum reading: 0.001 in, Measuring range: 6, 12, 24, 36 in) 1935

Figure 50 Caliper from L.S. Starrett Co. (The main scale has 1/40 inch
graduations and the jaw feeding screw has 25 graduations over its
circumference to provide a minimum reading of 1/1000 inch.) Around 1900

Figure 51 Pocket Vernier Caliper from L.S. Starrett Co.
(Measuring range: 1-1/2 in) 1927

29) 30)and provides a resolution of 1/1000 inch

24)by the L.S. Starrett Co. around 1930 included the one
shown in Figure 51, as well as calipers with the samestructure as those from the Brown & Sharpe Mfg.
Co. shown in Figure 48. The measuring ranges ofStarrett's vernier calipers are 4, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 and 48

Figure 52 Threading Tool Measurement Vernier Caliper
from L.S. Starrett Co. (United States)(For thread angles of 60°, 55°and 29°, The caliper is set tofit onto the thread to measure pitch, etc.) 1924

inches, accommodating the need for measuring large

Figure 54 Dovetail Caliper from L.S. Starrett Co. (United States)(Dovetail angle: 45, 55, 60°, Measuring range: 0~12 in,
Minimum reading: 1/1000 in) 1927

workpieces. Their largest caliper for the metric system
has a measuring range of 600 mm, equivalent to 24

Figure 57 Outside Vernier Caliper (Holland)(Measuring range: 6 in, 120 mm, Minimum reading: 1/128 in, 0.1 mm)
1920

inches. The resolution of these calipers is 1/1000 inch,
provided by equally dividing 24 main scale graduationsof 1/40 inch into 25, as in calipers from Brown & Sharpe.
As if to challenge this large measuring range, Brown &Sharpe started to manufacture a caliper with a measuring

Figure 55 Caliper with Micrometer Head from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
(United States)(Measuring range: 12 in max.) 1920
Figure 58 Vernier Caliper from Helios Co. (Germany)(Measuring range: 120 mm, 4 in, Minimum reading: 0.1 mm,
1/128 in,) 1920

range of 48 inches 26) in 1935. On the other hand,Starrett manufactured not only calipers with a structure
similar to the one shown in Figure 48, but also a type ofvernier caliper with a graduated plate outside the slider
clamp, as shown in Figure 51 29), instead of inside a box
type slider. Its measuring ranges are 1½ inches and 40
Figure 53 Tooth Thickness Vernier Caliper
from Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. (United States)(Module: 1-1/4~12(Circular pitch: 20~2 in), Minimum reading: 1/1000 in) 1924

22mm with resolutions of 1/1000 inch and 0.02 mm.
In addition to the above types, Brown & Sharpe also

Figure 56 Caliper with Movable Micrometer Head from L.S. Starrett Co.
(United States)(Measuring range: 6 in max.) 1920

Figure 59 Swivel Jaw Caliper from Helios Co. (Germany)(Measuring range: 5 in, Minimum reading: 1/128 in, 1/1000 in) 1940

23

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the West

8. Calipers before Around 1945 (the End of WWII) in the Westin today's models, and allows measurement of inside,

160 mm. Its measuring range is 135 mm with resolutions

outside, depth and other features.

of 0.1 mm or 0.05 mm and 1/128 inch. Calipers with

Figure 61 shows a vernier caliper manufactured bymillimeter and zoll scales were also available in older

Micro-Precision Vernier Co. in the UK, which dates frommodels. As shown in Figures 62 and 64, it is assumed

around 1929 . It is similar in structure and resolution tothat vernier calipers of this shape were widely used in

the vernier caliper from Starrett shown in Figure 51.

Germany in the early 20th century.

Figure 64 shows a vernier caliper manufactured by

Figure 65 shows a gear tooth vernier caliper from Carl

Mauser-Messzeug GmbH in Germany around 1940 40). Its

Mahr Esslingen a. N., which has equivalent functions toshape is similar to the one shown in Figure 62 , which

the Brown & Sharpe vernier caliper shown in Figure 53.

seems to have been a trend since the 1920s. It has both

Modules from 1 to 17 (circular pitch 25 to 1.5) and 5 tomillimeter and inch scales with a maximum scale value of

35 (circular pitch 5 to 0.75) are supported.

37)

（a）

38)

（b）

Figure 66 shows a German vernier caliper with an inch

Figure 65 Gear Tooth Caliper from Carl Mahr Esslingen a. N. (Germany)(Module: 1~17 (Circular pitch: 25~1.5), Minimum reading: 0.02 mm,
1/1000 in) 1931

scale only 23). It is stamped with the brand logo of ”CES,”（c）but the manufacturer is not known. Its measuring range
is 5 inches with a resolution of 1/1000 inch. A vernierscale for outside measurement is provided on the lower

Figure 60 Using a swivel jaw caliper that allows the slider jaw to beswiveled

Figure 61 Vernier Caliper from Micro-Precision Vernier Co. (UK)
(Measuring range: 5 in, Minimum reading: 1/1000 in) 1929

side of the slider and a scale for inside measurement
is on the upper side. Knife-edge jaws for measuring

Figures 32 and 34, but provided with a vernier scale.

grooved workpieces are provided alongside the usual flat

The vernier caliper made in 1920 has measuring ranges

jaws. It also has a slider fine feed mechanism to ensureof 120 mm and 4 inches with resolutions of 0.1 mm

accuracy. As described above, calipers in Europe and theand 1/128 inch. Although it does not have a depth bar,

United States practically assumed the modern form, both

it is provided with a lever-type slider clamp and thumb
rest. The second caliper, made in 1940, is a swiveljaw type where the slider jaw can be rotated aroundFigure 62 Pocket Vernier Caliper from Carl Mahr Esslingen a. N.
(Germany)(Measuring range: 120 mm, 5 in, Minimum reading: 0.05 mm, 1/128 in) 1931

Figure 66 Vernier Caliper with Brand Logo of CES (Germany)(Measuring range: 5 in, Minimum reading: 1/1000 in) 1940

in function and shape, between 1900 and 1930.

the measurement axis to allow complex features to bemeasured.
The swivel-jaw caliper is useful for measuring workpieces
with steps or whose measurement axis is not straight,
as shown in Figure 60. Thus, the shape or movementof jaws can expand the range of workpieces to bemeasured. This caliper, made in the United States, has

Figure 63 Vernier Caliper from Carl Mahr Esslingen a. N. (Germany)(Measuring range: 400, 500, 1,000 mm, 5 in, Minimum reading:
0.1 mm) 1931

an inch scale only with a resolution of 1/1000 inch (mainscale graduation of 1/40 inch; 24 graduations divided
into 25) and 1/128 inch (main scale graduation of 1/16
inch; 7 graduations divided into 8). While the Helios
caliper made around 1920 has a lever-type clamp, thecaliper made around 1940 employed a screw clamp, as
24

Figure 64 Vernier Caliper from Mauser-Messzeug GmbH
(Germany) 1940

25

9. Depth and Height Gages

9. Depth and Height Gages

Other types of measuring instrument with a sliding
element similar to that used on calipers include depth
gages and height gages which measure a workpiece
not by pinching it between jaws, but either by moving
the main scale itself (depth gage) or by moving a slider
along the main scale (height gage) to make contact with

Figure 69 Depth gage from Brown & Sharpe (United States)(Measuring range: 4.5 in, Graduation: 1/32 in, 1/64 in) 1924

the workpiece with a single jaw (scriber). That heightmeasurement was carried out with a simplified scabbard

Figure 71 Depth gage from Starrett Co. (United States)(Graduation: 1/32, 1/64 in, the main scale length: 4, and 6 in) 1924

type sliding caliper using the graduations engraved on thejaw, main scale, and scabbard at around 1850 is described

Figure 72 Carl Zeiss universal depth gage (Germany)(Main scale length: 6 in, 160 mm, Minimum reading: 1/64 in, 0.1 mm) 1928

previously in Chapter 5. And, that some calipers as shownin Figure 46 were used as a kind of height gage is also
described previously.
We can easily suppose that depths and heights could
be measured by adapting those methods, which inturn developed to suggest the production of depth
gages and height gages. However, there is no definite
evidence about the time of their development and initial
deployment. Presuming from the catalogs published by
Adolf Pfeiffer around 1905 and by Brown & Sharpe Mfg.

Figure 70 Depth gage from Brown & Sharpe (United States)(Measuring range: 3 1/2 in, 88 mm, Minimum reading: 1/64, 1/1000 in,
0.02 mm) 1924

There were several types of depth gages, as shown in
Figure 67, having a measuring range from 100 mm to 300
mm; and the one shown in Figure 68 having a pin contact
for measuring up to 10 mm in 0.1 mm increments. Muchlater (in 1924) however, Brown & Sharpe released the

Co. around 1924, it seems that depth gages started

depth gages shown in Figures 69 and 70.

to be manufactured and marketed around 1900, andFigure 69 shows a simplified depth gage without a vernierheight gages around 1919. This chapter describes thescale but, thanks to the 6-inch long main scale, it isinstruments that started to appear at these times.

possible to measure up to about 3½ inches. The model
shown in Figure 70 was available in 6- or 12-inch versions.

Figure 67 Depth gage from Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany)(Measuring range: 100 to 300 mm) 1905

Figure 68 Depth gage from Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany)(Measuring range: 10 mm, Minimum reading: 0.1 mm) 1905

26

Figure 73 Adolf Pfeiffer (Germany)
Touskan 1905

Figure 74 Brown & Sharpe 18 in Height gage
(United States)(Graduation 1 / 1000 in) 1924

Figure 75 Depth gage from Starrett (United States)(Upper left of the figure is the back face. Accessories areshow under “C”, Minimum reading: 1/1000 in) 1924

There were two types of main scales having either or boththe pointed rod as well as the depth-scale reading, andattaching a scale onto a stand (Touskan) existed, and thismetric and inch graduations to give resolutions of 0.02

then multiplying this reading by the cosine of the tilt

idea together with the usage as seen in Figure 46 was41) 42)developed further to form a height gage.

mm or 1/1000 inch. Starrett manufactured similar depth

angle the required depth was calculated.

gages with almost equivalent functions. Some depth

Although it was known that Carl Zeiss was manufacturing

Figure 74 shows an 18 inch height gage from Brown &gages, conveniently called "depth angle gages", which

depth micrometers, it is seldom related that the company

Sharpe and Figure 75 shows a 10 inch height gage fromare nearly equivalent to that shown in Figure 68 could tilt

also supplied depth gages. Most of these depth gages

Starrett. Just as Brown & Sharpe was manufacturing a

the main scale to ±60 degrees for easy measurement.

were made to measure in inches. The maximum scale

10 inch height gage, the company manufactured height

Figure 71 shows a depth gage older than thatvalue was 6 inches or 160 mm, and graduation 1/64 inch

gages too with the same specifications as Starrett. The

corresponding to the one shown in Figure 68. It had either

or 0.1 mm. Besides the depth gage shown in this figure,reverse face of the 10 inch height gage also has scalea 4 inch or 6 inch main scale with an alternate clamping

other forms of depth gage on which the main scale

graduations which indicate heights from 1 to 11 inches.

position as shown for measuring in restricted situations.

moves vertically or is made to use a definite angle wereAs shown in the reverse side view of Figure 75, theSimplified-type depth gages provided with a stock 3- toalso marketed. One where the main scale moved vertically

graduations extend from 1 inch above the base surface,

10-inches long were also manufactured.

had 1/40 inch graduations, and the resolution was1/1000

i.e., the zero point is 1 inch above the datum surface.

Figure 72 shows an adjustable depth gage manufactured

inch using a vernier scale. The status of height gages

The depth rod accessory, as shown in Figure 75 (C), is

by Carl Zeiss (Germany). This was designed to measurecannot be clearly seen in the catalog of Adolf Pfeiffer inintended to enable height measurement of a shrouded

internal features indirectly by indicating the tilt angle of1905. However, as shown in Figure 73, an example ofworkpiece feature.
27

10. The Beginning of the Sliding Caliper in Japan28

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japan

When was the sliding caliper first used in Japan?

At the steel Works, they carried out casting operationsof those countries also came to teach people machining

who was employed by Matsudaira's clan in Fukui. This

Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence on this point.

with furnaces and forging with steam hammers, cutting

technology

caliper was donated to the Fukui Municipal Hometown

Generally, the beginning should be dated at the timeusing mechanical machinery and boiler manufacture

Considering these facts, we cannot think it true that

Historical Museum and remains there today, and iswhen this kind of instrument was first manufactured orwith iron and bronze plate. It is highly likely thatsliding calipers developed in the United States came into

shown in Figure 76. The maker's name, Norichika Ohno-

used, but the commonly held view is that it was whenmanufacturing operations required the use of measuring

Japan via Europe at the end of Edo era, since the advent

Yasaburo, is stamped on the end of the beam (see Figure

they were imported for the first time during the Taisho

instruments, in addition to machine tools, that hadof calipers in the United States was in 1851 and the76 (d)). Toshio Kajiwara, who is an industrial archaeologist

period. However, judging from the fact that machine tools

precise graduations, therefore scales and calipers to thisnumber manufactured was very limited. Although it isand collector of scale and length measuring instruments,

were imported and first used in Japan at the end of thestandard were imported. It is recorded that a whole

reasonable to suppose that calipers were imported bothsays that this stamp was undoubtedly made by Norichika

Edo era, it is reasonable to suppose that the beginningplant was imported from France to the Uraga Shipyard infrom France and the Netherlands this is not clear.

Ohno himself and the year of manufacture of this caliper

was much earlier than the Meiji period.

1861. It is thought that the French must have contributed

Completely separate from the above considerations,

was sometime between 1855 and 1861 (Ansei 2 - Bunkyu

Examining the time when machine tools were firstto Japanese measuring device development. Some

Shungaku Matsudaira, who was appointed general1), which is before the time when he went abroad toimported, together with the so-called machining method

records on the machine tools remain in the Nagasaki

manager for political affairs, which corresponded to Tairo

study in the Netherlands 48).

in Japan, we find the beginning was when the Edo

Shipyard but, unfortunately, none about calipers or other(General Manager) of the Government in the end of the

In conclusion, this is the oldest sliding scale with

Shogunate founded the Nagasaki Iron Mill as their modern

measuring instruments.

Edo era, possessed a sliding caliper called "Tamajaku"

vernier graduations, or vernier caliper, in Japan. It was

shipbuilding and machine manufacturing factory under

The Edo government sent 15 samurai and engineers to the(i.e. "Gem Scale") created by Norichika Ohno-Yasaburo-

manufactured independently from the establishment of

the guidance of the Netherlands in 1857 (Ansei 4).

43) 44)

Netherlands as students studying abroad in 1862 (Bunkyu

In 1853 (Kaei 6) the United StatesʼPerry mission arrived2). It is true that some individual feudal clans secretly sent

at Uraga with his Black Ships to request the opening ofstudents to study abroad as well. However, eventuallyJapan to trade. In the same year the 2nd World Expo

the Government issued a notification in 1866 (Keio 2) towas held in New York. At this event Japan requested theofficially permit studying abroad. After that the isolation

Netherlands, which had favorably advised on the opening

policy ended and an increased number of students wentof Japan a few years before (1844 and 1847), to send

overseas, beginning with the Netherlands, to study in theengineers to visit the Nagasaki Iron Mill and this took

United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

place in1856 (Ansei 3).

By the way, it was the Saga clan that built the first

The first phase of construction of the Nagasaki Iron Mill

reverboratory furnace that might be considered thewas completed in 1861 (Bun kyu 1) and the whole plantorigin of modern technology in Japan. The clan built

became the Nagasaki Shipyard Corporation under thethis furnace in 1850 (Kaei 3) using a technical documentcommand of the then Ministry of Engineering in 1871

obtained from the Netherlands. This was followed by the(Meiji 4). This

Government constructing the same kind of furnace atplant was disposed of by the government andNirayama, Izu, which was followed by the Satsuma clan

became,Kanrinmaru and still is today, the Mitsubishi

in the same year, then by the Mito clan (Nakaminato) for

Heavy Industries, Ltd. Nagasaki Shipyard in 1888 (Meiji

casting iron and bronze cannon. Since the Netherlands20). On the other hand, the construction of the Uraga

had introduced the metric system extensively in 1821,

Shipyard was commenced under the guidance of France inthe technical details would have been in metric units.

1857 (Ansei 4) and was completed as the first dry dock inFrance also moved to the use of the metric system inJapan 1859 (Ansei 6). It is well known that this dock was1840 46) 47). As a consequence, the reverboratory furnace

used in fitting out the warship Kanrin Maru. In 1856 (Ansei

came to be built using metric units. In other words, it3) a dozen machine tools manufactured in Amsterdam

is quite natural that the meter became the preferred

were imported together with the Kanrin Maru, which wasunit of length in Japan because machine tools from thealso constructed in the Netherlands 42)~44).

Netherlands and France were imported and the engineers

45).

43) 44).

(a) A general view (Main scale: millimeter graduations)(b) Vernier graduations on the slider(c) General view on the back (sun, bu, rin graduations, Measuring range: 5 suns)(d) The stamp of Norichika Ohno-Yasaburo

Figure 76 Sliding caliper which Shungaku Matsudaira possessed. This was called “Gem Scale” manufactured by Ono Yasaburo Norichika.
The maximum graduation value is 150 mm. (Measuring range; 130 mm. Back surface main graduations: 5 rins over the entire measuring rangeof 5 suns 5 bus) Manufactured around 1855 to 62 (Ansei period) and possessed by the Fukui Municipal Hometown Historical Museum.

29

10. The Beginning of the Sliding Caliper in Japan

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japanthe above-mentioned Iron Mill and Shipyard. Considering

10 mm from the slider measuring surface. The backthat the year when Brown & Sharpe in the United

face has shaku and bu graduations. Graduations on the

3)States first manufactured a caliper was 1851 , thatlower row are given in 2 rin increments up to 4 suns, andthe manufacture by Norichika Ohno is supposed to befurther given in 1 rin increments for the interval of 1 sunaround 1858, and that the sliding caliper with diagonal

up to the end corresponding to 5 suns. Graduations on

graduations was manufactured by the father of Norichika

the upper row are given in .5 rin increments from theOhno, mentioned later, around 1843 (Tempo 14), we may

corner of the fixed jaw up to 5 suns 5 bus. Absence ofsay that sliding calipers were manufactured in Japan notvernier graduations means that this gage can be used asmuch later than in other industrialised countries.

a rule. The material is brass, the width of the main scale

Norichika Ohno was born as the third generation of ais 15 mm (5 suns), thickness is 2.2 mm, width of the mainfamily that was good at making astronomical instruments,

scale-side jaws is approx. 15 mm, width of the slider-side

where his grandfather Norisada Ohno-Yagoro and hisjaws is 11.5 mm and the length of the jaw is 80 mm, thus

father Noriyuki Ohno-Yasaburo were the Official Clockthe total width of this gage is about 100 mm including

Engineers of the Edo Shugonate Clock Bureau for two

the slider, or 97 mm excluding the full width of the slider.

consecutive generations. His grandfather Norisada

Noriyuki Ohno, the father of Norichika Ohno, also

Ohno-Yagoro and father Noriyuki Ohno-Yasaburo also

manufactured a sliding caliper with a diagonal scale,fabricated some of the survey measuring instruments thatthat is to say "Nogisu" calipers as shown in Figure

were used by Tadataka Inoh. In 1855 (Ansei 2), Norichika

77, and this caliper was made of brass. The engraved

Ohno was invited by Shungaku Matsudaira of the Echizen

diagonal graduations of the scale provide a resolution ofClan to serve as an instructor, teaching instrument

1 bu, and the total measuring range is 3 suns. In ordermanufacturing techniques to the feudal retainers or

to ease reading of measurement at the point where awarriors.

diagonal graduation line intersects the slider's edge,

The main scale graduations on the front face of the sliding

these subdividing graduations are engraved along the

manufactured during the first half of the 1840s. The

I wonder about the origin of this form. Was it from ancaliper shown in Figure 76 are in mm, with a maximum

edge of the slider, which therefore make it possible toabovementioned Toshio Kajiwara assumes its year oforiginal idea of Noriyuki Ohno or from a source unknown?

value of 150 mm. Measuring range is 130 mm, and theread in rin units. The back face is graduated up to 5 suns

manufacture judging from the life of Noriyuki Ohno, andThis is unknown at present. However, judging from thevernier scale engraved on the edge of the cutout in thewith a resolution of 5 rins. If it is extended by turning thepreserves the instrument carefully. Although the caliper

fact that a tapered jaw was used for a Mon jaku (Monslider gives a resolution of 0.1 mm as the result of dividing

graduation part at the lower part of the main scale afterwith a diagonal scale is kept in the Ted Crum Collectionrule) for Japanese tabi, which was made based on Kanei

one interval of 9 mm by ten. The zero position of theremoving the slider, it can be used as a 1-shaku graduatedin France is mentioned in Figure 37 of Section 8.2, theTsuho (1624 to 1643), although the graduations arevernier graduations is placed at a position approximately

scale, or rule. This sliding scale is thought to have been

current existence of others is unknown. This particularrough he might well have invented it. Figure 78 shows

example of Noriyuki Ohno's sliding caliper is remarkablea Hukihuda (a “flyer” document) which Norichika Ohno

since several units, including imperfect ones, are locatedissued in 1849 (Kaei 2). According to this flyer, it turns out

in several museums in Japan. Although the scale divisionthat astronomical survey instruments, ground compasses,

system is different from the sliding caliper manufactured

etc., were manufactured, and vernier scales can be seen

by Norichika Ohno mentioned above, it can be said to beon the Hassen-ghi (Octant), En bundokhi (Semicircular

the oldest sliding caliper in Japan since it can read down

protractor) and Heikou-ghi (horizontal situation indicator)

to 1/10 of a graduation.

described therein. The sales message explains that Hiroshi

Judging from the fact that the form of this sliding caliper

Hasegawa taught the theory of the vernier scale andvery closely resembles the form shown in Figure 76, it

the diagonal scale, etc. to the father of Noriyuki Ohno.

seems that Norichika Ohno manufactured this by imitating

The theory of the vernier scale was described as "it ishis father Noriyuki Ohno's sliding caliper. Furthermore,already introduced to Nagasaki" in "Shogenghiyoho"(a) Surface diagonal graduations with a minimum reading of 1 rin(b) Reverse-side sun graduations. Minimum reading is 5 rins,
and maximum graduation value is 5 suns

Figure 77 Sliding caliper with a diagonal scale made by Noriyuki Ohno-Yasaburo... If you remove the slider by rotating the lower part of themain scale and use the graduations on the reverse face, you can use it as a 1-shaku rule. Dates from the first half of the 1840s (Tempo 11).

30

Figure 78 Hikihuda (flyer) issued by Norichika Yasaburo-Ohno in 1849 (Kaei 2)31

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japan

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japan(Quadrant Usage) translated by Yoshinaga Motoki andproduced octants and quadrants equipped with vernier

published in 1783 (Tenmei 3). In addition, so as toscales. The house of Otani in Osaka, which is described

endorse the contents of the book, examples of such items

below, was founded in 1838 (Tenpo 9) and manufactured

as a telescope, surveying instrument, astronomical

rulers. There seems to be a document stating that theyobservation equipment, etc., were presented to theused the diagonal scale that was the predecessor of theGovernment and vernier scales were also added forvernier scale 50).

each main scale. For example, it is said that an octant

Accepting the order of Hiroshi Hasegawa, Noriyuki Ohno

provided with a vernier scale was presented by the

manufactured a horizontal situation indicator and a

Netherlands to the Government in 1791 (Kansei 3) but

protractor with a vernier scale. Moreover, some literature

was long neglected because no one knew how to use it.

states that Tadataka Inoh used diagonal scales in his land

Probably, father Ohno and his son would have seen thatsurvey. Therefore, this is no wonder if Norichika Ohno

equipment. The oldest vernier scale in Japan may have

manufactured these instruments.

been made by people trained by Hazama Shigetomi in

It is no wonder, too, if millimeter graduations were

Osaka in 1793 (Kansei 5). The quadrant star observation

used for calipers since the drawings of guns, cannons

mirror they made is currently preserved in the Kobe Cityor blast furnace, etc., coming from the Netherlands

Museum. After that, Michikata Eizaemon-Kume from

Figure 80 Brass simplified calipers, late Edo era

Figure 81 Shiga, Nagahama, Kyubei Kunitomoʼs hereditary brasssliding calipers

Figure 82 Brass sliding calipers manufactured by Tohachi
Kunitomo, Nagahama Shiga(Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Toyota Collection) 1855

were dimensioned in metric units even in those days.

Ryogoku Yokoyama-cho 3-chome (near present Ryogoku

Since the room temperature at the time of measurement

Sanuki manufactured a Chiheigi (horizontal theodolite)

Moreover, a Hikihuda (flyer) for survey instruments was

Bridge Nishidsume) in 1852 (Kaei 5), that gave the namewas between 25.5 and 26.7℃ the influence of thewith a vernier scale in 1806 (Bunka 3), and he also

issued from the Tamaya Kichijiro Store, located at Edoof instrument engineer Norichika Ohno-Yasaburo asdifference in the thermal expansion coefficients of steel

the manufacturer and illustrated astronomical survey

and brass can be neglected because it turns out to be

instruments and local land survey instruments. These

0.001 mm, supposing the mean of the measured lengths

instruments were used to survey local land for thebe 25 mm. The extended measurement uncertainty

Measurement
position
No.

1

2

3

4

5

6
1

2

3

4

5

6

51)

No.

Measurement position(a) Coaxial cylinder measurement sample(b) Step measurement sample

Figure 79 Forms of test workpieces and measurement positions

purposes of agricultural administration . Graduations onof measurement of this caliper was found to be 0.08

the Norichika Ohno's caliper can be seen to have goodmm, and so its accuracy can be said to be comparable

quality as a whole but the vernier graduations for 2, 7,

to present-day vernier calipers. It was noticed that theand 8 are slightly thicker than the rest. With this caliper

graduations closer to 70 mm are slightly extended, which

the author measured the calibrated dimensions of test

will tend to give a smaller measurement value here. In any

workpieces consisting of coaxial cylinders of various

case, the measurement performance is good.

diameters, stepped blocks and standard gage blocks, andAround this time some calipers without a vernier scale

52)

Table 1 Cylinder workpiece measurement results (Temperature at the time of measurement: 25.5-26.7 ℃ )Measurement position
Calibrated value
Measured value
Mean of measured values

Position 1
15.97
15.9〜16.0
15.96

Position 2
13.92
13.9
13.90

Position 3
24.94
24.9〜25.0
24.98

Position 4
13.76
13.7〜13.8
13.78

Position 5
18.02
18.0〜18.1
18.02

32

were made that used a slot to guide the slider, as the

These results were obtained from 5 sequential

simplified caliper in Figure 80 shows.

measurements and the range and mean of the measured

This caliper is in Toshio Kajiwara's collection, together withvalues is shown in the tables. The calibration values werethe caliper shown in Figure 77. The name of the makerobtained very accurately by the Mitutoyo Measurement

and year of manufacture are unknown. The main scale

Laboratory and rounded to match the measurements

resolution is 2 rins, and the maximum measuring value

actually obtained from the subject caliper of this test. The

4 suns. Graduations on the slider side give a resolution

Unit: mmmean value of each measurement was compared withof 1 bu and measure up to 5 suns. This instrument can

G.B. 3105.000
104.9
104.90the calibrated value to test the accuracy of the caliper.

also be used as a rule. The back face graduations are

Variation in measurement when taken at the root or tip

provided up to 5 suns 5 bus, and the resolution is 2of the jaw was checked but was found to be less than 0.1

rins. The graduations seem somewhat uneven. The slot-

mm.

specification calipers are based on the oldest Chinese

Position 6
11.96
11.9〜12.0
11.98

Table 2 Measurement results from stepped workpiece sample, and gage block (G. B.)(temperature at measurement: 25.5-26.7 ℃ )Measurement position Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4 Position 5 Position 6 G.B. 1
Calibrated value
6.34
9.59
14.54
18.22
22.10
24.16 30.000
9.6
14.5〜6 18.2〜3 22.1
24.2
30.0
Measured value
6.3〜4
Mean of measured values 6.38
9.60
14.54
18.24
22.10
24.20
30.00

obtained the results as shown in Tables 1 and 2. .

Unit: mm

G.B. 275.00074.9〜75.0
74.94

33

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japan

10. The Beginning of the Siding Caliper in Japan

Figure 83 Wooden simplified calipers (Gem Scale) Meiji period

Figure 86 Metal small-size simplified calipers (Gem Scale)Meiji period
Figure 84 Wooden simplified calipers (Gem Scale) Meiji period

Figure 85 Wooden simplified calipers (Gem Scale) Meiji period

measuring tools carried with Professor Francis were used

Japan just as in Europe.

for the acceptance test of these two lathes, they could

The sliding caliper said to be the oldest in Japan in thehardly pass the test, were troubled with repeated reworks,

record of sliding calipers for industrial use is the one thatand the quality of measuring tools was far from reaching

can be found among the instruments which Professor

the required level of inspection. That is, probably, it should

Francis (W.C.A. Francis, Pratt & Whitney engineer) carried

be concluded that sliding caliper were hardly used in ourwith him from the United States when he was invited

country till those days except at specific places. Even so,to the Tokyo High Technical School (presently the Tokyo

I wonder whether some calipers were used in the Kansai

Institute of Technology) in August, 1903 (Meiji 36).

area since one manufacturer in Osaka had exhibited them

Accordingly, it is a fact that sliding calipers were used fromat the exposition. It is hard to understand this situation

this time in the school. If they were introduced into Japanbecause even the Ikegai Iron Factory, the leading machinefor the first time then, the instrument's name might havetool manufacturer, did not use them. By the way, thebeen something corrupted from "vernier caliper" to the"Practical Manufacturing Techniques" written in 1907

local jargon, not "nogisu" which was actually corrupted(Meiji 40) by Tatsue Ikeda, the author and one of thefrom German or Dutch. There is a record that Mr. Ohtani

representatives of Ikegami Manufacturing, as the textbookof Osaka Minami-ward Junkei-cho exhibited a sliding

for apprentice workers of the Kure Naval Arsenal Machine

caliper made of steel and brass into the 5th Domestic

Manufacturing Division Machine Factory clearly describes

3)

the "Vernier Caliper” (commonly called "nogisu"). In the

Industrial Exposition held in Osaka in 1903 (Meiji 36).
It was 60 years after the calipers made in France

figure the form of the Brown & Sharpe-made calipers isshown.

sliding caliper, as shown in Figure 5. Considering that the(Ansei 2), it is thought it dates from the same period asin 1840, 52 years after the American Brown madevariation of scale size occurred about 150 years later thanthose manufactured by Norichika Ohno.

sliding calipers, and 45 years after Norichika Ohno

In contrast to these calipers manufactured independently

manufactured a similar instrument. Probably, Ohtanietc., this structure leads us to suppose that sliding calipers

by such as Noriyuki Ohno, Norichika Ohno and Kunitomo

was a manufacturer of measuring tools, since heappeared in Japan considerably later.

the gunsmith, wooden simplified calipers were made by

exhibited at the same opportunity inside and outside

Together with simplified calipers of the same form, theimitating the simplified calipers considered to have arrived

calipers, compass, square, straight edge in addition tosimplified caliper shown in Figure. 81 belonged to Kyubei

in Nagasaki or Uraga at the end of the Edo era or early

the "nogisu" (caliper) mentioned above. Or we can say

Kunitomo, a gunsmith who manufactured and supplied astages of the Meiji period. Figures 83 through 87 showthat the name of "nogisu" had been already spreadlarge number of matchlocks to Nobunaga Oda, of Ohmi,

some of the simplified calipers possessed by the Hakari

considerably at that time. It is supposed that it was an

No Yakata in Mie Prefecture, which also possesses theimitation of the one imported before 1903, since it was

Although Kunitomo worked with Toyotomi and Tokugawa

old sliding calipers transferred from France as describedprobably not manufactured according to the traditionalfrom the Age of the Civil Wars, the time at which suchpreviously. These calipers are made of wood and brass,method with which Norichika Ohno made his calipers,

simplified calipers were first used is unknown. Moreover,and most of them are sliding calipers without vernieror otherwise originally manufactured separately. Or it is

Figure 82 shows a brass sliding calipers made by Tohachi

scales, therefore are thought to have been manufactured

said that it might be based on the one which was carried

Kunitomo. This simplified caliper is stored in the Toyota

in the Meiji period. The wooden calipers shown in Figuresby an employed German engineer in the early Meiji

Commemorial Museum Industry and Technology Toyota

83 to 85 can also be seen to resemble the simplified

period. When Ikegai Iron Factory (presently the IKEGAI

Collections 56). Since this simplified caliper is a measuring

calipers of the American Brown & Sharpe and Starrett

Corporation) manufactured to the order of Tokyo High

instrument said to be supplied during the Ansei period

models shown in Figures 18 and 22. Figure 86 shows

Technical School two Bradford-type 14-inch lathes inwhen Sotomori Hayashi, one of the vassals of the Hojos ofan instrument manufactured to measure specific items

1905 (Meiji 38), the machine manufacturers at that time

Kawachi country of Sayama clan who was serving served

such as pearls and jewels, etc. We can say that there wasmeasured dimensions using passes (calipers) and rules, notas chief retainer, was working in this isolated clan in 1855a time when simplified calipers (sliding calipers without

using either "nogisu" or micrometers. However, since thein China

13) 53) 54)

and that money was being transferred

the present day Nagahama city, Shiga prefecture.

34

Figure 87 Brass long-jaw simplified calipers, Meiji period

vernier scales) and calipers with vernier scales coexisted in

55).

35

11. Industrial Production Startup and Proliferation of Vernier Calipers in Japan
It is said the fully fledged use of vernier calipers in Japan

vernier caliper of the same age as in Figure 90, which has

A long-jaw ordinary-type vernier caliper similar to anin the 4th to 5th year of the Showa era, and calipers ofbegan with an ordinary type of vernier caliper imported

a measuring range of 1 m with "NIIGATA and サ-markordinary type replaced with a longer jaw as shown inthis type seem to have been extremely widespread. This

from the UK in the early Taisho era.

3) 57), and hence known

under a three-triangular mountain symbol" engraved on
23).

Figure 91

57)

was available. This type was generally applied

type seems to be the European style, particularly theto vernier calipers with a measuring range of up to 300

German pattern as seen in calipers from the UK firm ofinch graduations and a resolution of 1/128 inch on the

mm to be able to measure the diameter of steel pipe up to

Rawco (Figure 42) and the German firms of Adolf Pfeiffer

British type. Although the manufacturer is undefined,

lower edge of the front face, and graduations of 1/20

160 mm. In 1944 during WWII, a round-jaw ordinary-type(Figure 45), Carl Mahr (Figure 62) and Mauser (Figure

カ -mark" andthis product is engraved with "Tokyo ◯inch with a resolution of 1/200 inch on the upper edge.

vernier caliper (as shown in Figure 92) was manufactured64), etc. Consequently, this type was codified in the JIS

was manufactured about 1935 and is now displayed at

It also has graduations up to 1000 mm and 3 sun 3 bu

in imitation of those in Figures 41 and 43. A vernier

standards structure that was established in postwar days.

This vernier caliper has inchon the rear face, providing a resolution of 0.05 mm and 5

caliper with round and angular jaws as shown in Figure

Many domestic vernier calipers started out in imitation of

graduations on the front face, providing subdivisions ofmoh, respectively. The graduations of this caliper are well-

93 was also made for measuring the thickness of steel

the German style, specifically the Mauser type.

1/8 inch, a resolution of 1/64 inch and a measuring range

engraved up to 1 m considering its age.

pipe and flanged workpieces. Various jaws shapes seem

In order to discriminate between these American andof 1 foot. It also has millimeter and sun/bu graduations

Most ordinary calipers at that time had inch graduations

to have been applied to ordinary-type vernier calipers

German products, there was a period in Japan duringon the rear face providing subdivisions of 1 mm and 1

on the upper edge and millimeter graduations on the

because their structure could be easily manufactured.

which a vernier caliper of the American product style (JISbu, a resolution of 0.05 mm and 1 rin and a measuringlower edge. Quite a lot of calipers have inch graduations

The proliferation of American vernier calipers in JapanCB Type) was called "Caliper" and that of the German

range of 300 mm and 1 shaku. In 1944, Sugiura Shoten

on the front face, providing vernier scales for a resolution

was far later than that of British ones. In the early Showa

product style (JIS M Type) was called "Nogisu".

manufactured almost the same caliper as above, havingof 1/100 in on the upper edge and 1/128 in on the lower

era, vernier calipers made by Brown & Sharpe andIn any case, until about 1930 (Showa 5) only foreigninch graduations with a resolution of 1/128 inch and aedge. They also have millimeter and sun/bu graduations

Starrett to a similar pattern were imported and bothproducts had satisfied market demand althoughmeasuring range of 12 inch. As shown in Figure 89, aon the upper and lower edges of the rear face. In those

makes were commonly used. As shown in Figure 49, thisdomestic products made by Otani existed in the Meiji

specially shaped vernier caliper was manufactured withdays most vernier calipers with a measuring range up

type of caliper was equipped with a box-type slider andera as mentioned above. The company that entered intoa round bar formed into a plate-like surface as the main

to 300 mm applied so-called "3-country 4-step scales",incorporated anvils for inside measurement on each jaw

industrial production of calipers was Tajima Seisakusho

as the British-type vernier caliper. Figure 88 shows an

it.

ordinary vernier caliper made in Japan in imitation of thethe Mitutoyo Museum.

23).

This caliper can measure up to 40 inches with 1/16

scale. Although this type of main scale is subject towhich had millimeter and inch graduations on the front

tip. The vernier caliper in Figure 94, which is displayed58)~60)warping, this scale features less deformation basically due

face and inch and sun/bu graduations on the rear face.

at the Mitutoyo Museum, was manufactured in 1944 in

5). At that time Tajima Seisakusho was renamed Matsuo

to being a round bar. It has a measuring range of 150 mm,

Some other vernier calipers with a longer measuring range

imitation of the Brown & Sharpe caliper. German vernier

Seisakusho and played an active role as a maker of length

providing a resolution of 0.02 mm with 49 mm evenly

than 300 mm applied so-called "2-country 4-step scales",calipers made by Mauser-Messzeug GmbH were imported

standards and also graduated calipers using a linear

divided into 50. This caliper is structured so that the fixedwhich had inch and millimeter graduations on both front

jaw can change position up to 5 mm and both jaws are

and rear faces with a resolution of 1/128 in and 0.05 mm,

replaceable for users' convenience.

respectively. These types of vernier calipers had been more

The Mitutoyo Museum also displays another ordinary typecommonly used until the end of WW II.

Main scale

Vernier jaw
カ -marked (Japanese) Ordinary-type Vernier Caliper,
Figure 88 Tokyo ◯1935

Figure 89 Ninken-made (Japanese) Round Bar-type Vernier Caliper,
1940

Figure 90 NIIGATA ヤマサ-marked 1 m Ordinary-type Vernier Caliper, 1935

that first launched vernier calipers in 1930 (Showa

Vernier

Main scale jaw

36

11. Industrial Production Startup and Proliferation of Vernier Calipers in Japan

Figure 91 Long-jaw Ordinary-type Vernier Caliper, Japan,
Early in Showa

Figure 92 Fujiyama Mfg. Co. Round-jaw Ordinary-type
Vernier Caliper, 1944

Main scale jaw

Vernier jaw

Measuring faces of theoutside jaws

Figure 93 Round & Angular-jaw Ordinary-type Vernier Caliper(for Thickness), Japan, Early in Showa

Figure 94 Okada Yasukichi Shoten (Japan) Brown & Sharpe-type
Vernier Caliper, 194437

12. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS

11. Industrial Production Startup and Proliferation of Vernier Calipers in Japan

graduating engine 61) from the Swiss firm SIP (Societe

In those days, vernier calipers were categorized as

Genevoise d'Instruments de Physique) as shown inrules and manufactured by vendors who obtained a

Figure 95(a). This machine was equipped with a template

manufacturing license conforming to the Weights andmechanism to correct for the random lead error in the

Measures Act. Individual vernier calipers needed have amachine's leadscrew, as shown in Figure 95(b), thereby

certificate of inspection from the national or alternateachieving very high feed accuracy of the table on which

prefectural inspection laboratory and calipers could only62)

the scale to be graduated was mounted .

be sold with the certification mark engraved on them.

The second company that manufactured vernier calipers

The instrumental error was determined by this inspection.

58)

was the current Nakamura Mfg. Co. in 1938 (Showa 13).

Imperial ordinance No. 222 issued in 1945 (Showa 20),

Iwao Nakamura started business on someone's advice

when the war situation was deteriorating, had decreed

with an eye to commercialization of vernier calipers

that vernier calipers were to be treated as new typewhile establishing the KANON caliper laboratory, whereof measuring device with an acceptance tolerance

he had made a Mauser-type vernier caliper along withindependent of the category of rules 64) on January 1, or

researching optical graduating technlogy. At first, thelater, of the same year. Tooth thickness vernier calipers

production capacity of vernier calipers was about 100

were also added as a special measuring device category.

pieces per month, selling under the name of Kanon

However, soon after the end of the war, manufacture of

Caliper. Kanon means standard/reference in Latin.

measuring tools such as vernier calipers was interrupted

The company name was changed to Nakamura Mfg.

by the suspension of manufacturing industry.

Co., Ltd. in 1943 (Showa 18). The fact that the precise
engraving of caliper graduations is far from an easy job
has already been covered in regard to Brown & Sharpe

In Europe and the United States after the war, various
special-purpose vernier calipers were manufactured inparallel with basic ones. Some examples of these aredescribed here, selected from among those displayed at
the Mitutoyo Museum 23).
Figure 96 shows a UK-made vernier caliper from Zeus thatis provided with contact points for pitch measurement
between lines or points as well as jaws for inside andoutside measurement. The thumb rest on the slider bothreleases and clamps it in position, as required.
Figure 97 shows a German-made vernier caliper withcompass points. This caliper can be used for point-to-point
measurement as well as scribing applications, allowing
measurement of size up to 6 inches with a graduation of
1/1000 inch.
Manufacturing industry in Germany seems to haverecovered more quickly than in Japan after the war. Figure
98 shows the German Multipro Inc.'s vernier whose fixed
jaw can slide transversely on the end of the main beamand be fixed at an accurately known position, using a 0.1
mm resolution vernier scale, to support measurementof stepped workpieces. The main scale (lower edge) can

measure up to 250 mm with a resolution of 0.02 mm
and the upper scale can measure up to 10 inches with aresolution of 1/128 inch.
Figure 99 shows a Swiss-made Etalon vernier caliper
provided with hardened contact points on the upper pairof jaws for measuring a chamfered or flanged workpiece
thickness or groove width 65). With those 0.4-inch lengthpins, this caliper can measure up to 10 inches and 250
mm with a resolution of 1/1000 inch and 0.02 mm,
respectively.
Figure 100 shows a German-made Mauser vernier caliper
specific to inside measurement, which is provided withfine contact points for inside groove measurement. This
caliper can measure inside size up to 140 mm with aresolution of 0.05 mm using the lower-edge scale andup to 5 inches with a resolution of 1/128 inch using theupper-edge scale 66).
Figure 101 shows a Mauser vernier caliper with a roundbar main scale, which can measure the width of a thinworkpiece or a step in a bored hole with a resolutionof 0.05 mm. This is a type of bore-gaging, flanged-jaw
caliper 66).

Figure 96 Zeus's Vernier Caliper (UK)
(Measuring Range: 140 mm/5 in, Resolution: 0.02 mm/0.001 in),1950

Figure 99 Etalon (Swiss-made) Vernier Caliper, 1956

Figure 97 Vernier Caliper with Compasses (Germany)(Measuring Set Length: 6 in, Resolution: 0.001 in), 1950

Figure 100 Mauser-Messzeung GmbH (German-made) VernierCaliper for Inside Groove, 1961

Figure 98 Multipro Inc. (German-made) Offset Vernier Caliper, 1967

Figure 101 Mauser-Messzeung GmbH (German-made) Vernier Caliper
for Thin Width/Hole-inside Step, 1961

calipers. Nakamura Mfg. Co. advanced the researchand development of optical graduating technology andsucceeded in creating a graduating method by meansof photo-etching. 57) This allowed mass production ofvernier calipers. The company started mass production ofthem in 1943 (Showa 18) to meet the demand. The use ofvernier calipers had increased during WWII, significantly
spreading throughout Japan.
Since a great number of vernier calipers are required
during wartime, the number of caliper manufacturers(a) External View of Main Body

increased until the end of WWII. At that time in Tokyo,
there were many caliper manufacturers such as Sugiura
Shoten, Citizen Watch, Takayama Seimitsu, Saisuke
Tatebayashi (personal), Takeuchi Seisakusho, Tamaya
Shoten, Togoshi Seiki, Nakamura Mfg. Co., Nihon
Seisokuki, Matsuura Seisakusho, Yamayo Measuring Tools
Co., (Kamoshita Doki until Showa 39) in addition to
Tajima Seisakusho (Matsuo Doki until Showa 15).63).
Many other manufacturers also existed in Niigata, Gifu
and Osaka, etc.
38(b) Lead Error Correction Mechanism
Figure 95 SIP's Liear Graduating Machine3912. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS

In this country, in competition with these Euro-American
manufacturers, Tajima Seisakusho and Nakamura Mfg.
Co. restarted production of vernier calipers in 1946(Showa 21) 58). After this time, Mitutoyo Manufacture
started trial production of vernier calipers in 1949 (Showa24), and started commercial production in Novemberof the same year upon receipt of the manufacturing
license in conformity with the Weights and Measures
Act. At first, Mitutoyo manually graduated caliper scales
in the same way as in many other companies. In Japan,
the graduating of vernier scales was changed to themechanical-feed graduation method from 1954, and thatof main scales to the photo-etching graduation methodby sunlight from the beginning of 1955 (Showa 30). This
work was further developed by using a mercury-vapour
lamp instead of solar rays 58) 67) from 1958, allowing mass
production of main scales.
The Korean War started in June 1950 (Showa 25) and due
to its demand for equipment gave the Japanese machineindustry a new impetus. Under those circumstances, thedemand for vernier calipers increased again and uponrequest of industry, Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)for vernier calipers was established in March, 1954 68).
In those days, the foot-pound system was used in a lotof industrial fields under the Allied Forces occupation,
diminishing the Japanese effort to apply the metricsystem. However, under the orders of GHQ Economic andScientific Section, Japan restarted efforts to legislate for

metric weights and measures. In June 1951 (Showa 26),
shortly before the conclusion of the San Francisco Peace
Treaty in September 1951, the Weights and Measures
Act was revised and was enforced in March 1952. Then,the measurement units were unified to be those of themetric system on and after January 1st, 1959 (Showa 34).
Consequently, the production of vernier calipers in otherthan metric units, such as the abovementioned 2-country
4-step scale caliper, were discontinued in December
1958. The verification of measuring instruments were also
discussed and those national verifications were graduallydelegated to prefectural governments from August 1953.
Niigata and Tokushima Prefectures started metrologicalverification in September of the same year. Subsequently,
vernier calipers were excluded from verification in
conformity with the Measurement Act and changed inverification so as to be compatible with JIS.
The types that were certified by JIS established in 1954(Showa 29) were the M type, the CM type and the CB
type. The ordinary-type vernier caliper imported from the
UK in the early Taisho era as described in Chapter 11 was
not certified by JIS as the result of taking its accuracy,
mass production potential, etc., into consideration.
Therefore, the vernier calipers of this type were graduallyfalling into disuse, finally going off the market. This mightalso depend on the fact that the units had been unified
as those of the metric system.
The M-type vernier calipers adopted the German Mauser

Measuring faces Main scale jaw for inside measurementof the inside jaws
Slider jaw for inside measurement
Rock screw

SliderMain scale

Reference edge

Thumb rest

Locking screw
FeederMain scale insidemeasuring graduations

Depth bar
Main scale graduations

Reference edge
Vernier
graduations Thumb rest Feed screw Main scale outside
measuring graduations
Feed wheel
Measuring facesof the outside jaws
Slider jaw

Main scale jaw

Measuring faces of the inside jaws

Figure 104 JIS CM-type Vernier Caliper, 1954

Measuring faces of the outside jaws

Figure 102 JIS M1-type Vernier Caliper, 1954

SliderRock screw
FeederMain scale

FeederMain scale jaw
Feed wheel

Reference edge
Main scale outside
Feed screw measuring graduations
Vernier graduations
Measuring faces of Feed wheel(inside measuring graduations
the outside jaws
on the rear side)
Slider jaw

Measuring faces of the inside jaws

Figure 103 JIS M2-type Vernier Caliper, 1954

40

Main scale

Depth datum plane

Slider jaw
Main scale jaw

12. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS

Figure 105 JIS CB-type Vernier Caliper, 1954

Knurlsl 2：

Conical jaw

Measurement
lengthConical jaw

l 2 reading vernier

KnurlsMeasuring jaw

Measuring jaw
Measurement
lengthFigure 106 Inside Measuring Vernier Caliper, Around 1960

l 1：

Measurement
lengthl 1 reading vernierConical jaw

Figure 108 Circular-hole Central Distance Measuring Vernier Caliper,
Around 1960

Measu測定長
rementlengthFigure 107 Roller Chain Pitch Measuring Vernier Caliper, Around 1962

Figure 109 Beam Trammel (Scribing) Vernier Caliper, 1960

style, named by taking that company's initial 57). As
shown in Figure 102 and Figure 103, these are the mostcommonly used vernier calipers that can be used for awide variety of measurements such as outside, inside anddepth measurement. This type was also known as thedepth-measurable type. The M type is divided into the M1
type (Figure 102) and M2 type (Figure 103), both of whichhave a groove-type slider and inside measurement jaws
on the upper side. The M1 and M2 types are different
in that the former does not have the fine-adjuster of thelatter.
As shown in Figure 104, the CM-type vernier caliper
has a screw-adjuster that can finely feed the slider, thus
allowing precision setting as a feature. The CM-typevernier calipers have a groove-type slider identical to
the M-type calipers, and also have inside measurement
anvils on the tips of the outside measurement jaws, incontrast to the M-type, but have no depth bar. 68) Mostof the long-length measuring calipers are CM types: theC stands for caliper and M stands for Mauser. It was also
known as the German type by the country of origin.
The CB-type vernier caliper is as shown in Figure 105 57).
Its type name CB being taken from the "C" of Caliper and"B" of Brown & Sharpe Mfg. CO. This type is also known
as the Starrett type. The inside measuring anvils are
situated on each tip of the outside jaws, identically to the
CM type. Equipped with a box-type slider, the CB type islimited to a short vernier scale due to restrictions causedby the box size. The slider also has a window opening
on the rear side, being structured so as to be graduated.

Some CB-type vernier calipers had an outside measuring
scale on the front side and an inside scale on the rearside. This type differs in structure from the M and CM
types in that it has no thumb rest. Therefore, the curved
section on the slider head is used as an alternate. The CB
type also has a screw-adjuster that allows the slider to befinely fed.
After 40 years since the establishment of JIS, the current
JIS has defined the M- and CM-type vernier calipers anddeleted the CB type.
In 1955 (Showa 30), the Nakamura Mfg. Co. wascertificated as a JIS-symbol display license factory andfollowing this, other companies obtained the license. NSK
Co., Ltd. started manufacture of vernier calipers in 1961
and received the JIS symbol display license in 1964. SWAN
Co. Ltd. commercially manufactured a special verniercaliper for OD measurement of sheet-metal coils in 1966.
The establishment of JIS has improved the quality ofvernier calipers in Japan. Concurrently, stainless steel wasused as the construction material, the entire quenching/
grinding process was implemented and scales were
graduated by means of photo-etching, thus improving theaccuracy and durability of vernier calipers and enabling
successful export to Europe and the United States.
Under these circumstances, a great variety of verniercalipers made in imitation of special-purpose calipers with
non-standard jaws shaped for the intended use, as shownin Figures 96 to 101, were also manufactured in Japan.
Some typical vernier calipers of this type are shown in
Figures 106 to 113 57) 69). Figure 106 shows a vernier
4112. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS

Figure 110 Mitutoyo Tube Thickness Caliper, 1970

Figure 111 Mitutoyo Hook Type Vernier Caliper, 1974

Figure 112 Mitutoyo Offset Caliper, 1960

Heightmeasurement
Angle
measurement
Step
measurement

Depth
measurement

Outsidemeasurement

Insidemeasurement

Scribing

Figure 113 Mitutoyo Universal Vernier Caliper, 1970

Figure 114 Mauser-Messzeung GmbH (Germany-made) Dial Caliper,
1960

Figure 115 Helios Co. (Germany-made) Dial Caliper with a Dual
Inch/Millimeter Indicator, 1960

42

caliper specific to inside measurement, Figure 107 showsa roller chain pitch measuring vernier caliper with theslider jaw attached in reverse orientation, and Figure 108
shows a circular-hole center-to-center distance measuring
vernier caliper which can directly obtain spacing of circularholes by merely inserting the conical jaws in the holes.
That shown in Figure 109 is called a beam trammel verniercaliper available for scribing and equipped with contact
point jaws which enable measurement by insertion invery narrow grooves. Figure 110 shows a vernier caliper
for measuring the thickness of a tube by inserting the
fixed round-bar jaw in the tube. Figure 111 shows a hooktype vernier caliper for measuring shallow step and inside
distances.
Many other special calipers have been manufactured, e.g.
an offset vernier caliper as shown in Figure 112, which
can move the fixed jaw transversely to handle a stepped
workpiece and a swivel vernier caliper as shown in Figure
59, which can also measure a step between surfaces atdifferent distances from the measurement axis by rotating
the slider jaw. Figure 113 shows a universal vernier caliper
with a cylindrical main scale that improved the pipevernier caliper manufactured in 1967, allowing versatile
use for such as inside, outside, depth, height, step andangle measurement and circle scribing. A specific verniercaliper for measuring commutator clamping grooves in a
motor was also manufactured in which the main scale was
graduated uniquely in terms of 1×cosecθ and the tipsof the round & angular jaws as shown in Figure 93 were
sharpened to contact points.
In 1960 (Showa 35), when Japan seemed to have recovered
after the war, Mauser-Messzeug GmbH developed thedial caliper as shown in Figure 114, mainly for the UnitedStates market 66). The Helios Co. in Germany also started
manufacturing dial calipers during much the same period.
Figure 115 shows the Helios dial caliper displayed at the
Mitutoyo Museum.23) It is uncertain at present which ofthese two companies first manufactured dial calipers.
The dial indicator of the Mauser dial caliper shown in
Figure 114 has two pointers on the dial that work together
to indicate the value of a measurement in inches. The
longer pointer reads the outside scale at 1/10 inch per half
revolution and is graduated in units of 1/1000 inch. The

12. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS

shorter pointer reads the inside scale up to 6 inches per
revolution in graduations of 1/10 inch. The metric versionof this caliper reads the outside scale in units of 0.05 mm
and the short pointer reads the inside scale at 100 mm per
revolution. Adopting the dial indicator has eliminated theparallax error problem, inherent with vernier readout, andenabled efficient inch-system measurement by displaying
decimal values instead of inch fractions.
The Helios dial caliper shown in Figure 115 is different
in that it is a dual-unit instrument, with a dial that reads
both in millimetres and inches. The longer dial pointerreads the outside inch scale (black) at 1/10 inch per half
revolution and is graduated in 1/1000 inch. The shorter
pointer reads the inside millimeter scale (red) at 10 mm
per full revolution and is graduated in units of 0.1 mm.
Corresponding to the dial scales, the main scale has aninch scale graduated up to 7 inches on the lower edge
and a metric scale graduated up to 175 mm on the upperedge. This dial caliper very conveniently allows concurrent
readout of inch and millimeter values. In addition to thisdual-scale dial caliper, Helios also offered dedicated inchscale and millimeter-scale dial calipers.
Starrett, Brown & Sharpe and the Modern Tools Co. in
the United States, and TESA in Switzerland sequentiallydeveloped, manufactured and distributed dial calipers
by around 1965 following Mauser's lead. As an example
from the United States, Figure 116 shows a Starrett dialcaliper manufactured in 1979 31). Mitutoyo developed adial caliper for the U.S. market in 1962 (Showa 37) thatwent on sale the following year 58) 59). Figure 117 shows
Mitutoyo's dial caliper with a graduation of 1/1000 inch
and a measuring range of 5 inches (a graduation of 0.05
mm and a measuring range of 139 mm was used for the
metric model).
Successively, in 1967, Ozaki Mfg. Co., Ltd., NSK Co., Ltd.,and others, developed dial calipers and started production
and distribution. Figure 118 shows an unusual Starrett
dial indicator caliper of 1979 31). This measuring tool reads
in units of 1/1000 inch and, just as it is, this caliper can
precisely measure a maximum value, minimum value andthe difference between them of inside/outside diametersin units of 1/100 inch, 1/1000 inch, or even 1/10000 inch
using the dial indicator. The combination of a caliper with

Figure 116 The L. S. Starrett Company's (U.S.-made) Dial Caliper, 1970

Figure 117 Mitutoyo's Dial Caliper, 1962

Figure 118 The L. S. Starrett Company's (U.S.-made) Dial Indicator
Caliper, 1979

Figure 119 Mitutoyo's Low-force Caliper, 1965

other measuring tools has created convenience in length
measurement.
Generally, the measuring force applied by a caliper issomewhere between 0.1 and 11 N, depending on theoperator 70) 71). It is known that some operators measurewith a large force of 15 N and even the same operator uses
a different measuring force for each measurement 70) 71).
This variation will not make much difference for metalparts, which have high stiffness, but a large or variable
force may cause a great difference in measurement due tothe deformation caused by excessive pressure induced in aplastic part. For this reason a caliper that applies a low andconstant measuring force is required.
Figure 119 shows Mitutoyo's low-force vernier caliper
of 1965 that can maintain a measuring force between
0.5 and 1 N or allow the user to set any desired force,
within limits, by incorporating a dial indicator in the fixed43

12. Trends in Vernier Calipers after the End of WWII and the and Establishment of JIS

jaw. This caliper achieved stable measurement of softcomponents, such as plastic parts. Figure 120 shows aconstant-force dial caliper in which the fiducial indicator(on the left) indicates a measuring force that has been
set between 0.5 to 1 N and the dial indicator records
the measurement 72) 73). Interestingly, calipers in which adial indicator is attached to the slider jaw have also been
produced 72) 73) and in this form the instrument becomes
a comparator that is found convenient for repetitive
measuring operations. Figure 121 shows a Mitutoyo limit
gage caliper of this type. The caliper is set to a nominal
dimension and the dial indicator shows any variation

Figure 120 Mitutoyo Constant-force Dial Caliper for Plastic, 1973

Figure 121 Mitutoyo Limit Gage Caliper, 1970

Figure 122 Mitutoyo Micrometer Head-equipped Caliper,
1962

Figure 123 Mitutoyo Counter/Dial Caliper
Measuring Range: 135, 190, 300 mm, 1980

Figure 124 Mitutoyo Counter/Dial Caliper
Measuring Range: 300 to 600 mm, 1980

44

from this dimension, not the dimension value itself. Somemanufacturers use an electric micrometer in place of thisdial indicator.
Similarly, Mitutoyo manufactured a caliper using a
micrometer head in place of a dial indicator in 1962.
Figure 122 shows this caliper, which was distributed under
the name of “micrometer-equipped caliper” 74). This caliper
type has an advantage in that a long workpiece witha length more than 5 times the micrometer measuring
range of 25 mm can be measured to a resolution of 0.01
mm. However, this caliper disappeared in a short timefrom the catalog due to problems in use such as taking along time to move more than 100 mm using the standard
screw pitch of 0.5 mm, the complex structure, accuracy
and cost.
Figure 123 shows a counter/dial caliper for a measuring
range of 300 mm or less, and Figure 124 shows a versionof the same type that was available with a measuring
range of between 300 and 600 mm 73). The counter reads
the whole millimeters part of a measurement value andthe dial reads the decimal part in 0.02 mm increments.
As mentioned above, not only standard-type verniercalipers but also various special types of calipers were
manufactured, thus allowing supply according to user
demand along with extremely high quality. The caliper
material was changed from brass or steel to stainless steel
while implementing an entire quenching and grinding
process. The photo-etch graduating method was applied
to scale manufacture and resulted in increased accuracy
and durability 59) 67).
Accordingly, it was accepted that Japanese vernier calipers
were of equivalent quality to the best Euro-American
products by around 1965, and in many case superior. After
this time Japanese vernier calipers were widely exported
to many other countries including the United States andEurope. Additionally, scale graduating advanced to use
the laser machining method from photo-etching, showing
evident technical progress. Japanese manufacturers, asmentioned above, had opened individual markets andtheir vernier calipers were used around the world as wellas in Japan. By around 1985, Japanese manufacture hadgrown so much that vernier calipers made in Japan madeup about 70% of those in use throughout the world.

13. Development of Height Gages in Japan
Early in the Taisho era in Japan, it was standard practicetype depth gage adopted the U.S. Brown & Sharpe style,that height measuring and scribing operations wererespectively.

frequently implemented as shown in Figure 125, where

In the beginning, the HM type was also known as thea scale stand and Touskan (surface gage) were used on a

German type or Carl Mahr type as well as the Mauser

surface plate. Height gages which unified the above twotype, and the HB type was also known as the Brown &tools were imported from the U.S

Sharpe type or Starrett type. The HT-type height gageand Germany

36)59) 60)in the middle of the Taisho era. Depth gages were also

capable of moving the main scale for adjustment had been

imported almost in the same period.

called the Takayama-type height gage since the pre-war

Accordingly, the vernier caliper manufacturers started

period, thus the letter T was suffixed to the type name.

manufacturing height gages and depth gages with vernierscales early in the Showa era. After the end of WWII, JIS

Columnstandards for height and depth gages were instituted in

Main scale
Main scale

1960 (Showa 35), 6 years later than that for calipers 75) 76)

Reference edge

. Three types, HM, HB and HT were adopted for height

Feed screw

gages, and three types, DM, DB and DS were adopted
for depth gages 57). These height gages are shown in
Figures 126 to 128 and depth gages in Figures 129 to 131.
As in the case with vernier calipers, the HM-type heightgage and the DM-type depth gage adopted the German

Main scale graduations
Reference edge
Locking screw

Feed wheel
Clamp screw
Scriber

Measuring
Jaw
face
Scriber clamp

Measuring face

Scale stand

Reference surface

Figure 125 Touskan and Scale Stand
Reference edge

Pressurescrews Locking screws

Vernierscale
Vernier

FeederMain scale

Reference edge
Feed screw
Thumb Feed wheel Main scale
rest

Locking screws
Main scale

Reference edge
Main scale
Vernier scale
Feed screw
Vernier
Feed wheel

Figure 131 JIS DB Type Depth Gage, 1960

Feeder
Locking screws

Reference surface

SliderClamp screw

Figure 128 JIS HT Type
Height Gage, 1960

Main scale
Main scale graduations

Feed wheel

Feed wheel
Locking screw

Measuring face
Scriber clamp

FeederMeasuring face

Feed screw

Feed screw

Figure 131 JIS DM Type Depth Gage, 1960

Clamp

TouskanLocking screw

FeederBase

Base

Figure 127 JIS HB Type
Height Gage, 1960
Reference surface

Main scale graduations

SliderVernier
Vernier scale
Slider
Locking screw Clamp screw
Jaw
Vernier scale
Scriber

Mauser style, and the HB-type height gage and the DB-

ScaleMain scale
adjustment

ColumnPressure screws
Locking screw
Main scale

Pressure screws

Scriber clamp
Jaw
Scriber

Vernier scale

Measuring faceBase

Measuring face

Figure 126 JIS HM Type
Height Gage, 1960

Main scale
Vernier scale
Thumb
Vernier
rest

Reference edge

Figure 131 JIS DS Type Depth Gage, 196045

13. Development of Height Gages in Japan

14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers

The DM-type depth gage is structured so that the

In Japan, an electric micrometer using a differential

system of supply electrodes on the slider and detecting

measuring face can be finely fed relative to the referencetransformer was developed in 1956 and its digital display

electrodes are arranged to form the scale at a pitchsurface. The DS-type depth gage is sort of a simplified

immediately afterwards . This trend toward digitalization

corresponding to that of three supply electrodes. The

DM-type depth gage which is not equipped with a fine-

was applied to various types of length measuring tools andsupply electrodes slide over the detecting electrodes

feed device. Since JIS regulations were revised, the current

instruments. Methods such as Analog to Digital conversion

and the detected voltages and corresponding phases aremain products are the HM height gage and the DM andof voltage by means of analog displacement detection

transmitted from transmission electrodes to reception

DS depth gages. In consideration of user-friendliness, theand digital measurement using an encoder were applied

electrodes on the slider. The signals thus received are

indicator progressed from the counter display/dial scale

to length measurement, thereby achieving digital display

passed to electronic logic circuitry to determine slider

as inand processing. Under these circumstances, president H. U.

position, which represents displacement. This measuring

Figure 133. The historical situation of digital height gages

Meyer of Swiss Sylvac Co. had developed and marketed an

method using phase analysis would come to exert aelectrostatic capacitance-type electric micrometer 81). The

powerful influence on detection stability.

displacement detecting device in that micrometer used the

Meyer and his company, Sylvac, and Andermo of theprinciple of the variation in capacitance between a moving

Swedish company AB C. E. Johansson applied this method

sleeve and a series of fixed coaxial cylinders aligned withto their vernier calipers, which were commercialized as an

the direction of measurement, over which the sleeve slid.

incremental digital caliper with a resolution of 0.01 mm

The sleeve was attached to the micrometer spindle andand marketed from around 1980. Many digital calipers

an alternating voltage proportional to the distance theused in Europe and the U.S. from a little earlier than thatsleeve moved was digitized to drive the digital display.

year adopted the digital system with a photoelectric-type

He also invented a variation of this method in which theencoder. Figure 136 shows the TESA S. A. digital caliper

coaxial cylinders were replaced by multiple flat plates. A

displayed at the Mitutoyo Museum 85). The battery for themoving plate sliding over the fixed plates replaced thelamp used as a light-source in this type of digital caliper

sleeve to give the same detecting effect. This was in 1972,

needed frequent replacement due to its small capacity.

and refinements to the method made it possible to detect

The electrostatic capacitance type encoder has less powerlarge displacements by 1980

consumption than the photoelectric type, thus maintaining

readout

77)

shown in Figure 132, to digital display

78)

80)

follows on from the application of a digital system tovernier calipers. For comparative information, refer to thenext chapter. Current digital height gages are equipped

Figure 132 Mitutoyo Counter/Dial Height Gage
Graduation: 0.01 mm, Measuring range: 300mm, 1970

with a scale read by photoelectric encoder. The influenceof coordinate measuring machine technology has led
some of them developing into multifunction, precisionheight gages that can determine maximum/minimum
values as well as a single height, or calculated dimensions,etc. through data processing 79), as shown in Figure 134.
This type of height gage has improved in accuracy sothat inside/outside diameters, pitch and other dimensions
can be measured to a resolution of 0.1 µm, while being
provided with a rich choice of accessories such as various
forms of probe.
Figure 133 Mitutoyo Digital Height Gage
Resolution: 0.01 mm, Measuring range: 300mm, 198282) 83).

Using a more elaborate detection method along the same

sufficient operating time even with a small battery, andlines as outlined above, I. Andermo of the Swedish Royalfor this reason calipers using this encoder have spread

Institute invented the relative position measuring method,

throughout the world.

as shown in Figure 135, in 1977.

84)

In this device, threealternating voltages of differing phase are applied to a
Displayunit
Supply electrodes

Oscillator

Amplifier Logic circuit

SliderReception electrode
Detecting electrode

Reception electrode

Transmission electrode

Figure 134 Mitutoyo Digital Height Gage (Linear Height LH)
Resolution: 0.001 mm, Stroke: 600mm, 1998

46

Figure 136 TESA S. A. (Switzerland) Incremental Digital Caliper(Photoelectric-type), 1978

Scale

Figure 135 Outline of Electrostatic Capacitance-type Incremental
Relative Position Detection Method

Figure 137 Mitutoyo Incremental Digital Caliper, 1983

47

14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers

14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers

Cover

Solar cell
Rubber gasket
Inner frame

Figure 138 TESA S. A. Incremental Digital Caliper, 1987

Figure 141 Mitutoyo DIY Digital Caliper (DIGIPA), 1994

Detecting unit

Figure 144 Mitutoyo Absolute Digital Caliper, 1993

LCD
Conductive rubber
Rubbergasketwith a resolution of 0.1 mm. Its main body was madeof plastic (Figure 141) and was sold from 1994 onwards

Figure 139 Mitutoyo Digital Caliper with Main Scale Graduations, 1987

Figure 142 Mitutoyo Mini Home-use Digital Caliper (DIGIPA Mini), 1995

while a business-use digital caliper marketed as DIGIPACounter electrode 1

Mini, a caliper designed to fit into a personal organizer

Main scale
Counter electrode 2
Slider(Figure 142), was commercialized in 1995. Moreover,
Mitutoyo developed a digital body-fat caliper in 1994.
Since then this caliper has been used at health clinics for(a) Construction of a caliper

measuring subcutaneous fat for which, until then, digital

Slidercalipers designed for machine work had been used. This
caliper alternatively serves as the fat scale by attaching
Figure 140 Mitutoyo Solar-powered Digital Caliper, 1988

Figure 143 Mitutoyo Body Fat Scale, 1998

the necessary switching buttons as well as changing the

Detecting electrode B1
Detecting electrode B2
Detecting electrode C1

Transmission
electrode

Detecting electrode C2

shape of jaws and material so as to be compatible with48

Mitutoyo formed a technology-based alliance with thecaliper. After that, the digital caliper inventor, Andermo,

fat-thickness measurement. This digital caliper is also

Swedish Royal Institute and developed an incremental

became independent of the Swedish Royal Institute and,available for home use to help maintain personal health.

digital caliper with a resolution of 0.01 mm, as shown inin 1987, established Micro Encoder Inc. at Kirkland in the

As an aside, due to this development, a survey on the

Figure 137, in 1983, upon acquisition of its patent license.

suburbs of Seattle, Washington State in the U.S., withrelationship between subcutaneous fat and exercise

Since the problem in determining slider displacement insupport from Mitutoyo. His company mainly contributed

was implemented in the urban, agricultural and fishing

the electronic caliper was now largely overcome, reliable

to the groundwork for further development of Mitutoyocommunities. It was found that people in agriculturaland low cost calipers could now be supplied and bydigital calipers.

and fishing communities used their cars even for short

August 1984 Mitutoyo had manufactured and distributed

In 1987, Mitutoyo's gray digital caliper main scale coverdistances of 100 m due to the effect of motorization but,

100,000 digital calipers.

was provided with millimeter quick-reference graduations,in contrast, people in urban communities walked longer

Under the tie-up agreement with Johansson, who had

as shown in Figure 140, to improve user-friendliness. The

distances thanks to good access to public transport.

close relations with the Swedish Royal Institute, Mitutoyo

small battery that powered the caliper was followed by

China also started production of vernier calipers andalso manufactured digital calipers in Germany, for supply

a solar cell in 1988 to create the light-powered digital

supplied them at extremely low cost. As a result of

mainly to Europe. On the basis of this agreement, The

caliper which eliminated the inconvenience of battery

improved diplomatic relations between China and the

87)

Scale

(b) Caliper position detecting electrode patternFigure 145 Outline of Mitutoyo Electrostatic Absolute Encoder
Position Detection Method, 1991

Medium electrode

Light source (light emitting diode)

Fine electrode & optical grid
Coarse electrodePick-upBeam

Photoelectric element (photodiode)Index scale
SliderRoyal Institute, Johansson and Mitutoyo implementedchanging . Mitutoyo also developed lightweight digital

United States in 1979, China obtained precision measuring

collaborative development. During this collaboration,

calipers partly constructed from carbon-fiber reinforced

tool manufacturing technologies and as a result was

Johansson had severe financial difficulty, and thus Mitutoyo

plastic to make longer calipers easier to handle. Then,able to manufacture and export measuring instruments

alone carried on a joint business with the Royal Institute.

digital calipers with a large measurement display panel

to Europe and the United States. China manufactured

dealt a lasting blow to measuring tool manufacturers in

As an example of digital calipers in Europe and the U.S.,

were manufactured in 1992 to improve readability

digital calipers from about 1985 and started their export

many countries, including Japan. Some manufacturers

Figure 138 shows a TESA-made digital caliper from 198788)

. The improvements outlined above were eventuallyand sale. At the beginning of this export drive, imitations

in Europe supplied some Chinese products as OEM

86). This caliper was developed under the technology

implemented by many other companies in the market.

of Japanese makers' products appeared including digitalproducts. Due to these circumstances, Brown & Sharpe,

alliance agreement with Sylvac. Its resolution and

Mitutoyo developed cheaper digital calipers aimed at thecalipers, which also carried the JIS-mark. The export of

TESA and others came under the control of Hexagon in

performance are almost identical to that of Mitutoyo's

Do It Yourself (DIY) market under the brand name DIGIPA,

large volumes of cheap product to the United States

Sweden. Japan also came to the situation where NSK

Figure 146 Outline of Mitutoyo Electrostatic CapacitancePhotoelectric-type Encoder Absolute Position Detection Method, 1991

49

14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers

14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers

Co., Ltd. withdrew from the caliper market and only

over the incremental type scales that the origin position is

two companies, Nakamura and Mitutoyo, continued

held indefinitely.

manufacturing calipers.

On the machine shop floor, coolant is often splashed

The abovementioned digital calipers are all of theover tools and workpieces and sometimes dimensional

incremental type, but in 1993 an “absolute system” digital

measurement is performed under the splashing coolant.

caliper was developed. Figure 144 shows a Mitutoyo

Although a vernier caliper is inherently immune to

Absolute Digital Caliper with a resolution of 0.01 mm 88).

such harsh conditions, a digital caliper would be

90)

The detection method used is shown in Figure 146 .

more convenient if it could be used. The conventional

An ABSOLUTE linear scale with a 1 µm display was also

electrostatic capacitance-type caliper is not ideally suitabledeveloped at the same time using a method similar tofor this environment due to its sensitivity to contamination.

this method89) -91). The detection method comprises

However, to meet the user's extremely high requirements,

Figure 153 Sylvac Co. IP67 Coolant-proof Absolute Digital Caliper,
2011

Figure 152 TESA S. A. IP67 Coolant-proof Absolute Digital Caliper,
2012

Figure 154 Sylvac Co. IP67 Coolant-proof Micrometer Absolute
Digital Caliper (Product Name: Micron Caliper), 2012an electrostatic capacitance electrode scale with three

Mitutoyo developed a waterproof absolute digital caliper

tracks for coarse, medium, and fine details, and a one-of the electrostatic capacitance-type, as shown in Figure

track optical grid scale powered by an LED source as

147, in 1997. This caliper incorporated special enclosure

method to an electromagnetic induction-type method 92),

The company stated that the waterproofing wasshown in Figure 147 89) - 91). The optical grid shares the finetechnology to allow operation under shop floor use. The

as shown in Figure 148. This technique produces a caliper

equivalent to IP54, which means no problem in use underelectrostatic capacitance electrode track. Absolute digital

IP54 protection-code level achieved was usually enoughthat is inherently immune to the effects of coolant or dust

general circumstances but care must be taken depending

calipers have the advantage that operation is equivalent

for a general purpose digital caliper, but in situations

contamination on the scale.

on where, and how, to use the caliper. The A&D Company

to that of vernier calipers, i.e. no zero setting is needed

where large amounts of coolant splashed on the floor thisFigure 148 illustrates the principle: a voltage is induced

also supplied other stainless steel and plastic incremental

at switch on. Solar-type absolute digital calipers are also

caliper was gradually subject to deterioration.

in the sequentially arranged second loops from thedigital calipers with the same functions. Additionally, thecommercially available. This same detection method

To overcome this drawback, Mitutoyo developed thefirst loops of insulated coupling coils on the main scalecompany marketed low-cost digital calipers. This increased

is used on absolute linear scales for machine tools tocoolant-proof digital caliper shown in Figure 149 in thethrough the transmission coils from the exciting signal

the number of Japanese caliper manufacturers to three.

oscillator incorporated in the detection head on the

As described above, European companies such as Sylvac

slider. The reception coils on the detection head receive

and TESA in the Hexagon group had marketed absolutethe voltage induced from the overlapped coils on thedigital calipers 96) with a water resistance of IP54, similar toscale. After processing the signals from the reception

the caliper shown in Figure 152. In 2012, TESA improved

coils, the caliper determines the position of the slider. The

their IP54 digital caliper (called Standard Gage) withabsolute digital caliper shown in Figure 149 achieved aan IP67 coolant-proof electromagnetic induction-type

protection code of IP65 and a further improved caliper

absolute digital caliper with large-character display asprovide a resolution of 1 µm89)~91), with the advantage

Figure 146 Mitutoyo IP54 Waterproof Electrostatic Capacitance-type
Absolute Digital Caliper, 1997

Position transducer

Exciting signal
oscillator fortransmission

First Insulation space
Coupling coil loop

Control
unit

year 2000

93)

by changing the displacement detection

Figure 148 Mitutoyo IP65 Coolant-proof Absolute Digital Caliper,
2000

Received signal
processing
circuit

Measurement
Positive Negative axis
Transmission
coil
Reception coil
Conductor loop loop
segment

Figure 149 Mitutoyo IP67 Coolant-proof Absolute Digital Caliper,
2002

Connecting
conductor
Secondloop

Connecting Insulation space ThroughScale conductor
Detection head
Coupling coilholewiringTransmission coil Reception coilFigure 147 Outline of Electromagnetic Induction-type Absolute
Digital Caliper Detection Method, 1997

50

Figure 151 TESA S. A. (Standard Gage) IP54 Coolant-proof Absolute
Digital Caliper, around 2010

Figure 150 A&D Company IP54 Drip-proof Digital Caliper, 2007

94)

with a protection code of IP67 is shown in Figure 150 .

shown in Figure 153, in competition with Mitutoyo, while

Recently, these absolute digital calipers that easily meetalso launching various models with a different measuringmachine shop floor requirements have been widely used.

ranges 97).

Waterproof digital calipers had been manufactured

Sylvac started marketing electromagnetic induction-

previously in Europe and the United States, but the level

type digital calipers as in Figure 154 equivalent to theof waterproofing did not reach the level of the caliper inabove calipers ahead of them around 2005 in Europe

Figure 149. The detection method illustrated in Figure 148

and around 2011 in Japan. This company also developed

has steadily improved in resolution and today is used inand marketed an IP67 absolute digital caliper as shown inlinear scales reading in micrometers (µm).

Figure 155 (called the Micron Caliper) with a resolution of

In 2007, the Japanese company A&D manufactured andone µm 98).

marketed incremental-type digital calipers called Drip-

Although its repeatability is 3 µm, three times the95)

proof Digital Stainless Calipers, as shown in Figure 151 .

resolution, the maximum permissible error including the51

15. Summary /Acknowledgments

14. Development and Advancement of Digital Calipers

A major influencing factor was that the cheap Chinese
calipers improved in quality after their introduction to thepoint where, due to their low price, the inferior accuracy
and quality were acceptable to non-professional users
Figure 155 Mitutoyo Absolute Digital Caliper, 2013

instrumental error of this caliper is 20 µm for a measuring

quality of the mainstream vendorsʼ product.

range of up to 100 mm and 30 µm up to 150 mm.

Although these discussions almost achieved a final

Therefore this caliper is equivalent in accuracy to common

draft, this was scrapped several times due to rotation

digital calipers with a resolution of 0.01 mm and thus itsof the technical committee chairperson and the generalaccuracy is not in line with its resolution. This shows the

manager of the draft creation working group anddifficulty of increasing the accuracy of a digital caliper,

eventually the effort proved fruitless. After this discussion

mainly due to the limitations of its form as it does notperiod, a much-revised draft was circulated in 2011,

comply with Abbe's Principle. To improve accuracy a

finally becoming International Standard ISO 13385-1：

caliper would require a very much stronger structure to2011 99). This covers Sliding Calipers (Nogisu in Japanese)

resist deformation because its scale is not coaxial with theconsisting of vernier sliding calipers, dial sliding calipers

measurement axis. This could perhaps be done by using aand digital sliding calipers. In this standard, althoughsubstantial cylindrical main beam as shown in Figures 89,

performance values are to be indicated by manufacturers,

101 and 113.

the performance of sliding calipers is specified in detail,

Recent Mitutoyo digital calipers are mainly electromagnetic

which also includes some data that could be error factors

induction-type absolute digital calipers with their inherent

but can be neglected in measurement accuracy. This issuperior environmental performance. While improving thesimilar to the descriptions of Nogisu standards set out in

performance of each element, along with adopting solar

1954 (Showa 29) as Japanese Industrial Standards JIS.

power, Mitutoyo produced an absolute digital caliper as

Since performance values are to be indicated byshown in Figure 156, which can maintain operation for

manufacturers, the requirements of this standard areabout 3.5 years without a battery change under normal

no better than reference descriptions in a textbook.

use, thereby becoming widely acceptable as a general-

Generally, users will need to know that one factor may

purpose absolute caliper.

be included in other factors in some cases. The ISO

An instrument able to output measurement data tostandard does not specify the permissible values of thecomputational devices such as computers enables

errors, but the JIS standards will specify the permissible

incorporation into statistical process control andreference values as a reference appendix. Japanesemeasurement control systems. From around 1980,

Industrial Standards JIS for Nogisu conforming to ISO will

discussions about establishing caliper standards had

be organized in the near future.

been ongoing at the International Organization for

The author believes it is vital that a metrology equipment

Standardization (ISO) and vernier calipers with a resolution

vendor producing high quality calipers, such as Mitutoyo,of 0.02 mm were being considered for deletion fromonly markets product that conforms to the relevant

ISO Standards because of the difficulty in maintaining

international standards, which themselves should set theaccuracy due to the flat form of the main beam. Then,highest level of accuracy practicable for these important

discussions about the accuracy of calipers changed asmeasuring tools.

digital calipers appeared in the mid-1980s and Chinese
calipers were launched in the 1990s.
52

who did not require the higher accuracy and superiorThis paper has described the origin of sliding calipers
ahead of Nogisu (vernier sliding calipers), the birth ofsliding calipers with vernier graduations and the evolution
from vernier to digital calipers. The evolution of sliding
calipers in relation to the main historical events issummarized in Table 3. The oldest existing sliding caliper
developed by Wang Mau in Xin of China in A.D. 9 seemed
to have retained its form for a fairly long time. Wang
Mau's sliding calipers might have found their way east andwest. Although no evidence remains, it might be imaginedthat some of them could have been brought to Japan.
In this paper, scabbard-type sliding calipers as measuringrules that may be considered to have a close relationshipwith graduated scales, sliding calipers that have improved
measuring accuracy by attaching a vernier scale, thendial calipers and counter calipers, and finally the latest
advanced digital calipers have been overviewed.
In the process of describing these advances this paper
also mentions height gages and depth gages, which havefollowed similar paths to calipers in reaching their present
form. Vernier sliding calipers, along with micrometers,
have played an important role in the foundation ofmodern industries by supporting maintenance of industrial
product dimensions and conformity between matingmachine parts. Japan should take pride in the fact that
Norichika Ohno in Kaga developed a vernier sliding caliper
at the end of the Edo period without delay from Europe
and the U.S. and that his father Noriyuki Ohno had alreadydeveloped a diagonal scale sliding caliper and actuallyused it. The fact that sliding calipers, even without avernier scale, were widely by blacksmiths making guns was
also confirmed. It has become clear that Michitaka Kumein Sanuki, developed survey and observation instruments
incorporating a vernier scale in the later Edo period. Also,
it has been recognized that the widespread proliferation ofsliding calipers required the country's modernization while
maintaining the skills of many highly individual artisans.
The pressure of social needs is a big factor in the evolutionof measuring tools and instruments. This has been verified
by the history of advancement of the micrometer.
The time has now come when it is necessary to develop
a robust position with regard to the low-priced calipers
on the market that, although inferior in performance andquality, are attractive purely because of their pricing. We
must carefully watch the developing trends of Chinesemade calipers, which rapidly improved in quality after theirintroduction, and need to ensure we achieve continual
quality and technical improvement through a sustainable
development and production plan coupled with apromotional strategy that clearly differentiates our highquality product in the marketplace. I shall be happy if thispaper is of service to readers.
Acknowledgments
I gratefully received generous permission from the familyof the late Mr. Shokichi Miyazaki, former Mitutoyo advisor,
to draw on the terminology of calipers and descriptions of
the U.S.'s first caliper made by Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.
from his documents.
I gained information on the first French vernier caliper
by courtesy of Mr. Kenzo Kobayashi, the chief curator of
Hakari-No-Yakata (weights and measures museum) in
Yokkaichi-shi, Mie prefecture, and obtained great help
from Mr. Toshinobu Shibayama, former Mitutoyo member
for photography of the caliper. For information about
the first Japanese sliding caliper and vernier caliper, I wastaught by the archaeologist, Mr. Toshio Kajiwara who isalso a collector of length measuring tools.
I received invaluable assistance from assistant chief
curator, Mr. Hideyuki Nishimura and curator, Ms. Yumi
Takase of Fukui City History Museum for information on
measurement using Norichika Ohno's vernier caliper.
As for the sliding caliper made by Tohachi Kunitomo, a
gun blacksmith, I obtained much information from Mr.
Toru Fujiyama in the culture project group of the Toyota
Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
Thanks to Prof. Dr. Robert J. Hocken, of the University ofNorth Carolina at Charlotte, USA, I obtained information
about the French sliding caliper with a diagonal scale.
I also owe a great deal of thanks to Mr. Nobuo Suga,
Mitutoyo America Corporation adviser, for helping me
to get U.S. vernier calipers and related early American
catalogs. I deeply appreciate the help and guidance of all
persons mentioned above.

53

15. Summary / Acknowledgments

References

Table 3 Origin and Development of Calipers and Transition of Related Matters
Christian year
0009
1542
1631
1783 (Tenmei 3)
1791 (Kansei 3)1806 (Bunka 3)
1833
1840

Event
China (Xin) Wang Mau develped a sliding caliper. (Hitorical Museum, Place Meseum collection)
Pedro Numez (Portugal) proposed one method of scale segmentalization.
Pierre Vernier (France) invented vernier scale graduations.
Yoshinaga Motoki translated Usage of Quadrant (including vernier theory) into Japanese.
Holland presented an octant (with a vernier scale) for the government of Edo.
Eizaemon Michitaka Kume in Sanuki made a horizon indicator with a vernier scale, then an octant quadrant with a vernier scale.
Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. (U.S.) started business (manufacturing of steel rules & tools).
French Artillery Factory developed and used sliding calipers with a vernier scale in millimeter units on the front side and inpouce units on the rear side (collection of Weights and Measures Museum - Hakari No Yakata). At that time, a scabbardtype sliding caliper (simplified caliper) was made in France.
Around 1843 (Tenpo 14) Yasaburo Noriyuki Ohno in Kaga developed a diagonal-graduated vernier caliper with a minimum reading of 0.1 rin and ameasuring range of 5 sun (1-shaku rule by extending the main scale).
1848
L. J. Palmer (France) invented a micrometer caliper.
1851
Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. developed a vernier caliper with a minimum reading of 0.001 in.
1853
U.S. ambassador Perry came to Uraga.
1855 (Ansei 2)
Tohachi Kunitomo in Nagahama manufactured a brass sliding caliper and delivered it to Ashigaru head, Hayashi
Sotonokami of Sayama-han Hojo-ke in Kawachi.
Nagasaki Iron Mill was contructed under the guidance of Holland and ten-odd machine tools were imported from Holland to the mill.
1857
Around 1858 (Ansei 5) Norichika Ohno in Kaga developed a vernier caliper with a minimum reading of 0.1 mm, the maximum scale value of 150
mm and a measuring range of 130 mm (sun/bu graduations on the rear side).
1861
Carl Mahr Esslingen a.N. (Germany) was founded.
1862
Societe Genevoise dʼInstruments de Physique (Switzerland) was founded.
1867
Regal government was restored by transferring power to the Emperor, entering into Meiji Era. Paris Exposition opened(Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. took out the Palmer's micrometer to the U.S.).
1880
L.S. Starrett Co. (U.S.) satarted business (steel rules & tools) and developed sliding calipers and vernier calipers.
1883
John Logan (U.S.) invented a dial gage.
1890 (Meiji 23)
Japan Meter Standard arrived. Next year the Weights and Measures Act (Japanese measuring system (in units of shaku)
based on the meter standard) was promulgated.
1896
Mauser-Messzeung (Germany) and Etalon (Switzeland) were founded. Johansson invented gauge blocks.
Around 1900
Rawco Co. (G.B.) and Adolf Pfeiffer trading company (Germany) developed and delt with multi-purpose Columbus verniercalipers for inside, outside and depth measurement.
1903 (Meiji 36)
Guage blocks, micrometers, vernier calipers, etc. from Eroupe and the U.S. were displayed at the 5th Domestic Industrial
Exibition (in Tennoji, Osaka).
Otani (Junkei-mati, Minami-ku, Oosaka city) manufactured a verinier caliper and placed it on show along with other tools
such as a pass and suqure at the same Domestic Industrial Exibition.
American Professor Francis used a vernier caliper at Tokyo Higher Technical School (present-day Tokyo Institute of Technology).
Around 1905
Adolf Pfeiffer Co. sold depth gages and scribing height gages.
1911
AB C.E. Johansson (Sweden) was founded (invented gauge blocks in 1896).
1917
Sonoike Seisakusho Co. developed a micrometer between 1914 and 1918 during World War I.
1920
Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. developed a vernier caliper for tooth thickness measurement.
1930 (Showa 5)
Tajima Seisakusho Co. (Matsuo Doki at that time) developed a vernier caliper.
1934
Mitutoyo Manufacture Co. (present-day Mitutoyo Corporation) was founded.
1937
The Sino-Japanese war started.
1938
Nakamura Mfg. Co. and others developed vernier calipers.
1941
The Pacific War (WWII) started.
1945
A sliding caliper handled as a kind of straight scale in the Weights and Measures Act was independent and authorized as avernier (sliding) caliper. WWII ended.
1949
Mitutoyo Manufacture Co. developed a vernier caliper and Mizonokuchi Factory started production of calipers (started
mass-production at Utsunomiya Operations from '52).
1951 (Showa 26) The Weights and Measures Act was revised to Measurement Law (Units were unified inot the metric system on and afterJanuary 1st, 1959). San Francisco Peace Treaty was concluded.
1954
Japanese Industrial Standards JIS B 7507: Vernier Calipers was instituted.
Mauser-messzeug (Germany), Helios Co. (Germany) developed dial calipers. Japanese Industrial Standards JIS B 7518 Depth Gages was instituted.
1960
1962
Mitutoyo Manufacture Co. developed a dial caliper.
1977
TESA S. A. (Switzerland) developed an incremental digital caliper (photoelectric-type). Ingvar Andermo of Swedish RoyalInstitute invented an electrostatic capacitance-type incremental digital caliper and AB C.E. Johansson commercialized it.
1978
Silvac Co. (Switzerland) uniquely developed an incremental digital caliper and started sales.
1983
Mitutoyo Corporation developed an incremental digital caliper and started production.
1986
Micro Encoder Inc. (President Ingvar Andermo) was founded in the U.S. by Mitutoyo.
1988
Mitutoyo Corporation developed a solar-powered incremental digital caliper.
1993
Mitutoyo Corporation developed an absolute digital caliper.
1997
I. Andermo and K. Mazreliez invented an electromagnetic induction-type position detecting device.
Mitutoyo Corporation developed an IP54 coolant-proof absolute digital caliper.
2000
Mitutoyo Corporation developed an IP65 coolant-proof absolute digital caliper.
2001
Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. and TESA S.A. came under the control of Hexagon (Sweden).
2002
Mitutoyo Corporation developed an IP67 coolant-proof absolute digital caliper.
2011
ISO13385-1 GPS Dimens.meas.equip.Part 1: Calipers-Design and metrological characteristics was instituted.
2012
Sylvac Co. launched the sale of IP67 coolant-proof micrometer absolute digital caliper.

541) ISO 13385-2 : Geometrical product specifications (DPS) −Dimensional measuring equipment − Part 2 : Calliper depth
gauges – Design and metrological characteristics, 2011-07-15
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Mitutoyo Corporation, Mitutoyo Museum, (1990), 8
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Measurement History Research, 26-1 (2004), 61
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spread gravue and 20
8) Johsen Toh authored, Junichiro Kashima translated: Transition of
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9) Shigeru Ueno: History of Length Measuring Gages 2, Calipers, Tool
Engineer, 1982-08 issue, 7010) Kesakatsu Koizumi: History of Weights and Measures, Agency ofIndustrial Science and Technology Central Inspection Institute of
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Mitutoyo Collections Revision 3, (2007), 2
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Weights and Measures, Coronasha Co. (1961)
16) Shokichi Miyazaki: History of Micrometers, the Japan Society of
Mechanical Engineering Journal, 85- 769 (1982), 1358
17) Shokichi Miyazaki: Visiting the Root of Measuring Insttuments Micrometers, Machines and Tools, (1979-7), 81; Same as above,
Mitutoyo Corporation, Mitutoyo Museum, (1990), 1
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Instruments, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineering Journal,
85- 764 (1982), 752
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Engineering, Precision Engineering Basic Course (Web), (2010-1116), 3
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55

A Brief History of the Micrometer/The History of Gauge Blocks

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and metrological characteristics
This paper reception date: June 3rd, 2013
Author: Masaji Sawabe Doctor of Engineering
Mitutoyo Corporation Adviser

A Brief History of the Micrometer
R257

The History of Gauge Blocks
Catalog No. E12016

57

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