French Curves

The "French Curves" chest from Aidan Gray. Available at www.aidangrayhome.com

A French curve is a drafting tool that is used to draw curves of varying radii. The same way a ruler is used to draw a straight line, a French curve is a template used to draw a curved line. Art and drafting supply stores commonly sell French curve templates; usually as a single template or in a set of three. Of the three different shapes one is commonly used for hyperbolas, another for ellipses and the third for parabolas.

"Lexikon Der Gesamten Technik" (dictionary of technology) from 1904 by Otto Lueger. Image via wikimedia commons.

These popular French curves are three examples from a Burmester curve set, a larger set consisting of 28 curve templates. The Burmester set is so named because of Ludwig Burmester (1840 –1927), a German kinematician and geometer. Burmester developed invaluable theories and had a great influence on the field of mechanical engineering and kinetics.

It is probable that Burmester standardized the curve set, but that its variants had been commonly used by craftsmen for centuries prior. This topic is little known and warrants further research.

In the French language the French curve is called le pistolet (à dessin) and in German das Kurvenlineal.

LaLyle’s French Curves bag. Available at www.zazzle.com/lalyle+gifts

St Louis based Scarlett Garnet Jewelry has several designs inspired by French curves, lending them a vintage, art nouveau look. Visit scarlettgarnet.com or call 816-914-5739 for more information.