Gunter's Chain
Gunter's interest in geometry led him to develop a method of sea surveying using triangulation. Linear measurements could be taken between topographical features such as corners of a field, and using triangulation the field or other area could be plotted on a plane, and its area calculated. A chain 66 feet (20 m) long, with intermediate measurements indicated, was habitually used for the purpose, and is called Gunter's chain.
The length of the chain normally used led to the linear measurement of 66 feet (20 m) being called a chain.
Read more about this topic: Edmund Gunter
Famous quotes containing the word chain:
“Oh yes, that’s right. They chain up wild animals. That’s all I am, an animal.”
—John Elder [Anthony Hinds], British screenwriter, and Terence Fisher. Leon (Oliver Reed)