Spirograph with attachments for drawing correctly the most elaborate spiral patterns; made by P.H. Desvignes Vienna, height 14 3/4 inches, diameter of table 13 1/2 inches

Between 1845 and 1848, Desvignes, who worked in Vienna, constructed a machine he called a spirograph, similar to a geometric chuck, for preventing forgeries in banknotes. It could also be used for engraving onto copper plates by a diamond point. These drawings show some of the possibilities with his machine.