Exploring the History of Drafting Tables

If you work in architecture, art, cartography, or a related field, drafting tables are probably a big part of your life. Here’s a brief history of these tables, along with an explanation of why they have tilting tops.

Earliest Uses

During the 1600s, a drafting table was called a drawing table, mechanical desk, drawing board, or architect’s table. People who were not architects still used these desks for reading, writing, or sketching on large papers. Their large size and wooden construction made them status symbols, and they were common in aristocratic libraries or private offices.

Industrial Revolution Developments

As the Industrial Revolution took off in the early 1800s, drafting tables became more practical and commoner. This period saw an increased need for buildings to accommodate manufacturing processes and assembly lines and to house all the workers leaving rural areas for the city. As a result, people began making drawing boards out of steel so that they would last longer. These practical models became less common in private studies, but they were very popular in offices and factories.

Changes Today

Today, some architects and cartographers still use drawing boards when working with tools such as protractors, compasses, set squares, and French curves. These tools are only necessary when professionals are working with previously printed designs, though. Most modern architectural work is done through software called computer aided drafting and design, which does not require a special desk.

Is the drafting table a thing of the past now? Not at all; as architects turn to their laptops and CADD, artists have discovered the versatility of drawing boards. These large desks give them plenty of room to work on large projects, and the flexibility of the angle helps them to tackle all areas of their canvases or papers.

Finally, even if some architects do not use drawing boards, these historic tools will not be forgotten any time soon. The phrase “back to the drawing board,” which was first used in 1941, remains popular in all industries, including architecture.

Tilting Top Necessities

Each drafting table is tilted to accommodate the way that artists and architects perceive the objects they are drawing. In ordinary life, you look at objects at a 90-degree angle, but when you start drawing them, you probably look at the paper at a different angle. This difference in perspective may not be a big deal for some projects, but for building designs, even the smallest inaccuracy can have devastating effects on the final creation.

When drawing boards are able to tilt, they are also easier to use for detailed work. Maps are usually large, so if drawing boards were not adjustable, it would be hard for architects to reach the top of their projects. 

There is no correct angle for tilting a drafting table, but the most common settings are between 30 and 45 degrees. The best angle for you depends on whether you like to stand up as you work and how close you want to be to the drawing board.

If you’re looking for drafting tables, check out the different options at Engineer Supply.