Storypoles and layout before the steel tape are key interests of mine. An old topic:
http://www.tfguild.org/ubbcgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=22;t=000004
I would express a different emphasis today but at root I believe master measuring rods with the scales in common measure and modular rules ie brace, strut and rafter. The scales would be marked like the common drafting scale.
Trautwine's engineering handbook is a good source on archaic method.
