Planimeters and Integrators in K&E Catalogs by Model Number

K&E Planimeter History:

Planimeters are shown in the very early K&E catalogs. In pre 1895 catalogs there were only a few entries in the catalogs. By 1901 K&E showed a broad range of planimeters and integrators. There was some changes in the offerings between 1901 and 1936 but mostly it stayed the same broad line first offered in 1901. In the 1943 and 1944 catalogs only one model with a variant was shown. These were W.W.II catalogs. The supply of instruments was limited and K&E's line of planimeters were German made. The 1949 catalog showed a modified complete line of planimeters and they set the pace for the future K&E planimeter offerings. Some time between 1955 and 1962 the bodies of the planimeters were modified and most models were fitted with tracer lens rather than tracer points.

About this site:

This page provides links to catalog pages for each model number of K&E Planimeters and Integrators. An attempt is made to show the variants in a given model number with time. When the same model numbers have been reused for distinctly different planimeters it will be noted. The model numbers are listed in numerical order to facilitate locating catalog references by model number.

For the purposes of simplicity of this index, only planimeter model numbers have been shown. Numbers that relate to accessories are left out. The purpose of these index pages is to quickly give the user a brief history of a particular planimeter and point to specific K&E catalog pages for it.

The 'N' prefix that appears in some model numbers has been included in this index. The 'N' prefix usually indicates some change in production. Dropping the 'N' prefix also usually indicates some production change. The reasons for these changes with the prefix is often obvious but not always. Some changes happened without any notice with the 'N' prefix.

This cross reference is interactive using the actual scans of catalog pages that are used in the Catalog Section of this web site. The commentary is an attempt to explain the facts that have been noted by the author. They will not be 100% correct or complete as this is a large project. I continually find new mysteries and answers to old mysteries as I pour over these catalog pages. More scans of other catalogs are needed to complete the picture. Comments and corrections are sincerely invited: Contact Clark McCoy

Some Links to Other Planimeter Sites and Text Books:

The Harold Frost Exhibit of planimeters at the 2005 Oughtred Society meeting at the MIT Museum

Pictures of Planimeters from Clark McCoy's collection and others

K&E Planimeter Instruction Manuals

Links to model number groups of K&E Planimeters: