Paper Instruments Project
The Paper Instruments Project, supported by the Scientific Instrument Society between 2017 and 2020, was initiated, drawing inspiration from several examples of volvelles found in Ottoman calendars. Initially, due to the scarcity of examples and the predominant focus on European culture in this field, the project’s primary aim was to provide a general overview of paper instruments in Ottoman astronomy. Therefore, the study initially focused on identifying Ottoman paper instruments without imposing any temporal limits, followed by their classification and examination based on their types, uses, and periods. Today, due to our calendar project, the number of Ottoman volvelles identified has increased, and examples from Ottoman culture have been included in the literature of the history of science.
A volvelle enabling conversion between the Hijri, Persian, and Coptic calendars. Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, History of Science Collection, MS.180/12, 82a.