original c. 1930's antique american industrial solidly built varnished birch wood factory machinist precision instrument storage box or cabinet fabricated by or for the l.s. starrett company, athol, mass. the portable lightweight instrument cast retains the original "cabin" style swivel hooks used to keep the hinged top securely fastened. the attractive finger joints provide added support and stability. the long and narrow box was salvaged from the recently shuttered paxton-mitchell railroad steam engine component foundry. the history of starrett has been one of continuous expansion through the patenting of products and takeovers of other manufacturers. in 1878 laroy s. starrett invented and patented the combination square and in 1880 he founded the l.s. starrett company in athol, ma in order to produce the combination square and other precision tools. in 1882 starrett traveled to london and paris to appoint sales representatives, thereby starting up the international marketing of his products. in 1887 starrett acquired further patents. in 1890 l.s. starrett patented a micrometer with other improvements, transforming the rough version of this tool into a modern micrometer. during the same year starrett began making and refining saw blades and today starrett is the world's largest saw blade manufacturer.in 1895 starrett patented the divider with trammel. in 1920 the company added its first gage to the product line and quickly became the world’s largest innovator and maker of precision calibrators. between 1941 and 1945 starrett increased its production by 800% and won the army and navy “e” prize. at the same time, more than 400 employees went into the us armed forces. in 1958 a plant was opened in scotland and this plant currently makes a great variety of starrett products for the european and asian markets. in 1962 starrett acquired the webber gage company, adding gage blocks to the starrett product line. in 1970 starrett took over the herman stone co., a granite product maker, and in 1985 it relocated production to a new plant in mount airy, nc. this plant also makes saws and measuring equipment. measures approximately 22 1/2 x 4 x 7 inches.