clew's reviews: a book log

How to Use the Steel Square, Frank D. Graham

Euclid alone has looked on Beauty bare

For builders, she flirts behind the framing square.

This is a chapter of a 1923 book, so who knows, maybe Vincent was familiar with it. It doesn't mention either her or Euclid that I've noticed; the practical geometry is given as 'cookbook' algorithms, although sometimes an explanation of what works ends with a minatory Why?. Or, p. 25,

The intelligent workman should not be satisfied with knowing which number to use but he should want to know why each particular number is used.

followed by an easy-to remember octagon diagram. I'm a little bemused by vitia's worry over the bifurcation of vocational and accrediting, let alone liberal, education; surely the use of language isn't really more socioeconomically more discontinuous than the use of math? Is it taught more discontinuously? No, I forgot; if this synopsis of teaching styles vitia linked to is a fair description, even math is taught differently to different classes, in ways that reinforce class. (The varieties of teaching also strengthen pointy-haired, mauve-database idiocy in the capitalist classes, if I read it right. I'm so happy I'm a Beta; discuss.)

So! No wonder I like the carpenter's guide. It is useful; it assumes the audience is competent in Euclidean geometry but doesn't assume the audience is educated in it; it should expand the capabilities of either a theorist or a jack-of-all-trades. Specifically, I like the explanations of the tables still engraved on decent squares. Some of the geometry, e.g. adding a another straightedge to make a slide-rule for specific problems (squaring the circle, pitching a gear wheel), is very pretty in itself. I can't think of a use for To find the diameter of a circle whose area is equal to the sum of the areas of two given circles; cooperage? Custom cakes?

It would be just as easy nowadays to go get a calculator as to find the extra straightedge. On the other hand, I don't think my calculator has explanations of jack rafters. Any undergraduate's graphing calculator has room, and it's a pity if they don't apply some to roofing. Maybe they do; perhaps someone with a shiny new calculator will consult her manual and bring the good word.

ISBN: 1894572343