Dietzgen 1767 National Simplex Slide Rule

Dietzgen 1767 National Simplex Slide Rule

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Description
In the 1950s, several manufacturers sold inexpensive plastic slide rules for use by students. This one-sided, ten-inch example, sold by the Chicago firm of Dietzgen has K, S, A, D, T, and L scales on the base. B, CI, and C scales are on the slide. The rule has a clear plastic frameless indicator with a hairline and black plastic endpieces. The top right corner of the base is marked: NATIONAL. Both ends of the slide are marked: DIETZGEN (/) NO. 1767. Both ends of the bottom of the base are marked: MADE (/) IN (/) U. S. A. A cream-colored synthetic leather case is marked: R. LAWSE. The rule was received with an instruction manual, 1988.0367.02.
According to Peter Hopp and Bruce Babcock, Dietzgen manufactured model 1767 from 1955 to 1959. An earlier version of the National, the 1767P, had a different set of scales. It was manufactured from 1941 to 1952 and sold in 1952 for $1.75 or $18.25 for a dozen.
References: Peter M. Hopp, Slide Rules: Their History, Models, and Makers (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 1999), 160; Bruce Babcock, "Dietzgen Catalog Matrix," Journal of the Oughtred Society 5, no. 2 (1996), http://sliderulemuseum.com/Manuals/Dietzgen_CatalogMatrix_BruceBabcock1996_chart.jpg.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
slide rule
date made
1955-1959
maker
Eugene Dietzgen Company
place made
United States: Illinois, Chicago
Physical Description
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 1 cm x 12.9 cm x 7.2 cm; 13/32 in x 5 3/32 in x 2 27/32 in
ID Number
1988.0367.01
accession number
1988.0367
catalog number
1988.0367.01
Credit Line
Gift of Robert L. Lawse
subject
Mathematics
Rule, Calculating
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Slide Rules
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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