An instrument used to measure the length of curved lines on maps or drawings by rolling along their path.
From Latin 'curvus' (curved) and the suffix '-meter' (measuring device), combining the two concepts. The curvimeter was invented in the 19th century to solve the practical problem of measuring irregular coastlines on maps.
Before GPS, cartographers used curvimeters to measure the exact length of coastlines and rivers on maps—the gadget is still used today because it's cheaper and sometimes more practical than digital tools.
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