Computers & Business Machines

• 

  Remington Rand Univac Minimum Latency Calculator Slide Rule

  Description

  This circular device was an aid to programming the UNIVAC solid state computer. It consists of a paper disc, with equal divisions running from 1 to 200 near the edge, and a clear plastic rotating disc. These are pivoted together at the center. The upper disc is marked in red with two perpendicular diameters. The lower disc is marked: MINIMUM LATENCY CALCULATOR FOR THE UNIVAC SOLID-STATE COMPUTER. The UNIVAC had a magnetic storage drum on which locations were specified numerically. The latency calculator allowed programmers to write code for the machine to make the most efficient possible use of the drum memory.

  The back of the instrument gives a list of instruction codes and corresponding execution times for words. It is marked: Remington Rand Univac. It is also marked: U1767 Rev. 1 PRINTED (/) IN (/) U.S.A. The rule was received in a paper bag.

  Reference: Sperry Rand Corporation, Simple Transition to Electronic Processing, UNIVAC Solid-State 80, (1960), 18–26.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  after 1950

  maker

  Remington Rand Univac

  ID Number

  2005.0271.01

  accession number

  2005.0271

  catalog number

  2005.0271.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4090-3 Log Log Trig Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch mahogany duplex slide rule is coated all around with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. The front of the base has LL0, A, T, S2, and S1 scales, with B, K, and CI scales on the slide. The LL0 scale is a log log scale of decimal quantities. The A and B scales are identical, divided logarithmically from 1 to 10 twice in the length of the scale in the usual manner. The K scale is also divided logarithmically, but three times in the length of the scale, for use in finding cubes and cube roots. The CI scale is divided logarithmically from 1 to 10 the length of the scale, going in the opposite direction from the A and K scales. The T scale is a scale of tangents and cotangents, doubly numbered with angles given in degrees and minutes. The S1 and S2 scales are scales of sines and cosines, doubly numbered. The top of the base is marked in red: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.N.Y.; PAT. APRIL 1.'24 OTHER PAT. PENDING; MADE IN U.S.A. The left end of the slide and the front of the rule are marked with a serial number: 448333.

  The back of the base has L, LL1, DF, D, LL3, and LL2 scales, with CF, CIF, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < 4090-3 >. A glass indicator has white plastic edges held together with metal screws. One edge is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.N.Y. The other is marked: PATENTED AUG.17.15. (/) OTHER PAT. PENDING.

  Keuffel & Esser advertised model 4090-3 from 1933 to 1936. However, the combination of scales on this example was only issued in 1933, when the rule sold for $10.00. The serial number is consistent with this date. In 1937, model 4090-3 was replaced by model 4080-3.

  References: Adolf W. Keuffel, "Log Log Duplex Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 1,488,686 issued April 1, 1924); K&E Slide Rules and Calculating Instruments (New York, 1933), 10–11; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 316–317; Dieter von Jezierski, Slide Rules: A Journey Through Three Centuries, trans. Rodger Shepherd (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 2000), 71–75; Clark McCoy, ed., "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4090-3 & 4091-3 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4091-3family.htm.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1933

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.318479

  accession number

  235479

  catalog number

  318479

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4088-3 Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch mahogany duplex linear slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. The front of the base has DF and D scales, with CF, CIF, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < 4088-3 >. The bottom of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5. '00 DEC.22.'08 KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A. The back of the base has K, A, D, and L scales, with B, S, T, and CI scales on the slide. A serial number is at the left end of the slide: 207989. A different serial number is on the front edge: 206079. The indicator is the second generation of Keuffel & Esser's "frameless" glass style, with white plastic edges and metal screws. One edge is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. The other edge is marked: PATENT 2,086,502.

  K&E sold model 4088-3 from 1913 to 1939. From 1913 to 1936, the patent dates were indicated as they are on this instrument. Beginning in 1936, the number of a 1933 patent is shown on drawings of the instrument in K&E catalogs. The B scale was added to the slide in 1922. Both serial numbers are consistent with manufacturing dates in the late 1920s. This style of indicator was introduced in 1936 and patented in 1937. The different serial numbers and the discrepancy in dating between the rule and the indicator suggest that this example consists of components mixed from three slide rules. Compare to MA.318476, MA.321778, and 1981.0933.03. For instructions, see 1981.0933.04 and 1981.0933.06.

  References: Adolf W. Keuffel, "Runner for Slide Rules" (U.S. Patent 2,086,502 issued July 6, 1937); Keuffel & Esser Co., Slide Rules and Calculating Instruments (New York, 1922), 8–9; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 314–315; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; Clark McCoy, ed., "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4088 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4088-3family.htm.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1920s-1930s

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.318480

  accession number

  235479

  catalog number

  318480

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Pamphlet, K & E Log Log Duplex Vector Slide Rule No 4083

  Description

  This book explains the application of the plane and hyperbolic trigonometric scales in slide rule calculations using vectors. It was received with two Keuffel & Esser slide rules, neither of them a model 4083.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1939

  Maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1986.0790.09

  accession number

  1986.0790

  catalog number

  1986.0790.09

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4070-3 Polyphase Duplex Trig Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch mahogany duplex slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with metal endpieces that are significantly corroded. On one side, the base has DF, D, and L scales, with CF, CIF, CI, and C scales on the slide. The top of the base is marked in faded red: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.; PATS. 2,500,460 2,168,056 2,170,144 PAT. PEND.; MADE IN U.S.A. The right end of the slide is marked in red: © (/) K + E; < 4070-3 >. On the other side, the base has K, A, D, and DI scales, with B, T, ST, and S scales on the slide. The left end of the slide has a serial number: 952594. The top and bottom of the base are both marked at the left end: 594. The indicator is glass with plastic edges; it is so corroded that it has fallen apart and is no longer on the rule.

  There is a green leather case with white inlays on the holder for the flap. The flap is marked: K + E. Inside the flap is written in ink: Jeffery (/) Smith (/) P 68. An orange chamois case holds a magnifier with two lenses and a metal frame. On one side, the frame is marked: K + E. On the other side, the frame is marked: PAT. NO. 2556806. A green cardboard box, missing one end, holds the rule, its case, the magnifier, and its case.

  For information on the patents on the rule, see 1993.0482.01 and 2007.0181.01. Paul E. Gaire of Manasquan, N.J., received a patent for the magnifier in 1951, replacing his earlier attempt at a magnifier, which could only be used on one side of a slide rule at a time. This double magnifier was first advertised in Keuffel & Esser's 1954 catalog and first pictured in the 1962 catalog; it sold for $5.50. K&E sold this version of the model 4070-3 slide rule from 1952 to 1962, at a price of $20.50.

  References: Paul E. Gaire, "Magnifying Runner for Slide Rules" (U.S. Patent 2,556,806 issued June 12, 1951); K + E Catalog, 42nd ed. (New York: Keuffel & Esser Co., 1954), 276–277; Keuffel & Esser Co., Slide Rules, Catalog 8 (Hoboken, N.J., 1962), 29–30; Clark McCoy, ed., "K&E Catalogs and Price Lists for Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEmain.htm.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1954-1962

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1990.0317.03

  catalog number

  1990.0317.03

  accession number

  1990.0317

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Ray Taulbot's Pace Calculator Linear Slide Rule

  Description

  This rectangular white plastic slide rule has scales for sprint times from 5 to 7 furlongs; two columns for use with the average pace method for handicapping horse races; three columns for use with the highlight pace time method of handicapping; and scales for route times from 1 to 1-1/4 miles. This outer folder is marked: Ray Taulbot's Pace Calculator (/) WITH AMER-VAR; Published by (/) AMERICAN (/) TURF MONTHLY (/) 505 EIGHTH AVENUE (/) New York, N.Y. 10018; PRINTED IN U.S.A. COPYRIGHT — 1979 Amerpub Company.

  The slide, which fits inside the folder, bears scales for speed rating, half-mile sprint highlight pace time, and six furlong route highlight pace time. It is marked: BASTIAN BROS. CO., ROCHESTER N. Y. A sliding plastic indicator has a broken end. An instruction booklet (copyrighted in 1979) was received with the rule; both fit into a black plastic case marked: RAY TAULBOT'S (/) PACE CALCULATOR (/) AMERPUB COMPANY (/) 505 8TH Avenue (/) New York, N. Y. 10018.

  Ray Taulbot (1895–1969) was the longtime managing editor of American Turf Monthly, a magazine for horse racing enthusiasts published by the Amerpub Company. He is credited with several innovations in handicapping races, particularly by rating a horse in comparison to the overall pace of a race. He believed horses must be judged by their own speed and by how close they were to the winner. A chart on the back of the calculator allowed bettors to combine the results of the Pace Calculator with the Amer-Var rating, which took into account the horse's age, the length of the race, the amount of the purse, the time of year, and the type of race. Taulbot's methods dated at least to the 1960s, but this device was made in 1979. American Turf Monthly continues to reprint Taulbot's articles.

  For other devices made by Bastian Brothers, see 1987.0183.01 and 1988.0323.03.

  References: Ray Taulbot, Thoroughbred Horse Racing: Playing for Profit (Philadelphia: A. Walker Co., 1949); Howard G. Sartin, "Winning Today with Ray Taulbot's Pace Calculator," American Turf Monthly, January 2000, http://www.americanturf.com/pace/sartinarticle.cfm; F. Finstuen, "Handicapping Derby Thoroughbreds: Edward's Minit, Race-O-Matic, and Kel-Co II Slide Rules," Journal of the Oughtred Society 10, no. 2 (2001): 19–24.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1979

  maker

  Amerpub Company

  ID Number

  1998.3050.02

  nonaccession number

  1998.3050

  catalog number

  1998.3050.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 1742 Fuller's Spiral Cylindrical Slide Rule

  Description

  This rule consists of an outer wooden cylinder that both slides up and down and rotates. Two brass rings lined with felt are inside this cylinder. The cylinder is covered with paper marked with a single spiral logarithmic scale graduated into 7,250 parts and having a length, according to the maker, of 500 inches (nearly 42 feet). Inside the outer cylinder is a longer wooden cylinder, covered with paper marked with decimal, conversion, and sine tables, and half-lined with felt. A solid mahogany handle is at one end. A brass index is screwed to the top of the handle. A second, longer brass index is screwed to the mahogany base and marked with a scale of equal parts used in finding logarithms. A third and removable brass cylinder is inside the instrument and attached to the base.

  The tables on the middle cylinder include: decimal equivalents of feet and inches in feet; decimal equivalents of quarter weights and pounds in hundredweights; decimal equivalents of ounces and pounds in fractions of a pound; decimal equivalents of pounds, shillings, and pence in fractions of a pound; decimal equivalents of pence in shillings; days of the year as a fraction of the year; decimal equivalents of subunits of an acre; properties of various metals and woods; decimal equivalents of minutes of a degree in degrees; the Birmingham wire gauge; various conversion factors (mostly for weights and measures); and natural sines.

  The outer, sliding cylinder is marked near the top: FULLERS SPIRAL SLIDE RULE. Near the bottom is marked: ENTD. STATS. HALL; STANLEY, Maker, LONDON. The bottom of the outer cylinder and the top of the long brass index are stamped: 858. According to Wayne Feely, the serial number 858 dates this instrument to 1895 or 1896.

  The rule is in a rectangular mahogany case marked in script on the top: Calculator. A paper Keuffel & Esser label on the inside lid of the instrument's mahogany case is marked in ink: 1742 (/) Fuller's (/) Spiral (/) Slide Rule. Fuller's Spiral Slide Rule was first listed in Keuffel & Esser's 1895 catalog and sold for $28.00.

  George Fuller, professor of civil engineering at Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland, patented this instrument in 1878. The Stanley firm made about 14,000 Fuller's spiral slide rules over nearly one hundred years, with K&E distributing a large share of the instruments sold in the United States. The Naval Engineering Division of the U.S. Coast Guard transferred this example to the Smithsonian in 1959. The Coast Guard engineers provided brief instructions:

  "To calculate (5 X 6 X 4)/3 turn the outer cylinder until the first factor (5) is opposite the fixed pointer, set the slot in the movable indicator to read (0), turn the outer cylinder until the second factor (6) appears opposite the movable indicator. (The result will be found on the outer cylinder opposite the first indicator.) To multiply by the third factor (4), set the slot in the movable indicator to (0), turn the outer cylinder until the movable indicator indicates the third factor (4); (the result will be found opposite the fixed indicator.) To divide by (3) set the movable indicator to (3), turn outer cylinder until the slot in the movable indicator is (0) on the outer cylinder and the result will be found opposite the fixed pointer."

  See also MA.311958, 1998.0046.01, and MA.313751.

  References: William Ford Stanley, Surveying and Leveling Instruments, 3rd ed. (London, 1901), 542–543; Wayne E. Feely, "The Fuller Spiral Scale Slide Rule," Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 50, no. 3 (1997): 93–98; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser (New York, 1895), 190.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1895-1896

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  Stanley, William Ford

  ID Number

  MA.316575

  accession number

  225751

  catalog number

  316575

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4088-3 Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch mahogany duplex linear slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. The front of the base has DF and D scales, with CF, CIF, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < 4088-3 >. The bottom of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5. '00 DEC.22.'08 KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A. The owner's name is scratched on the slide and on the base: ELLENBERGER.

  The back of the base has K, A, D, and L scales, with B, S, T, and CI scales on the slide. A serial number is at the left end of the slide and on the front edge: 161313. The indicator is frameless glass with white plastic edges and metal screws. One edge is marked: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. A cardboard case covered with blue leather is not original to this object and is marked: MICRONTA (/) Made in Germany. It also has an owner's label: Wm. J. Ellenberger.

  Keuffel & Esser Company of New York added a B scale to model 4088-3 in 1922. The indicator was modified in 1936. The serial number suggests a manufacturing date around 1927. Between 1922 and 1936, model 4088-3 sold in a box for $8.50. For instructions, see 1981.0933.04 and 1981.0933.06. Compare this example to MA.318476, MA.318480, and MA.321778.

  William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008) was born in Nashville, Tenn. He enrolled in The George Washington University in 1925, earning BS degrees in electrical engineering (1930) and mechanical engineering (1934). It seems likely that Ellenberger acquired and used this slide rule while he studied at GWU. He went on to work for the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the National Bureau of Standards, and the U.S. Army.

  References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 239; Keuffel & Esser Co., Slide Rules and Calculating Instruments (New York, 1922), 8–9; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 314–315; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; accession file.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1922-1936

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1981.0933.03

  catalog number

  1981.0933.03

  accession number

  1981.0933

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4081-3 Log Log Decitrig Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch mahogany duplex slide rule is coated with white celluloid. There are LL02, LL03, DF, D, LL3, and LL2 scales on one side of the base, with CF, CIF, CI, and C scales on the slide. The right side of the slide is marked in red: © (/) K + E. On the other side of the base, there are LL01, L, K, A, D, DI, and LL1 scales, with B, T, SRT, and S scales on the slide. The left end of the slide is marked: 320858. The left end of the top and the bottom of the base are both marked: 858. The indicator is glass, with white plastic edges held together with metal screws. Keuffel & Esser used this arrangement of scales on this model from 1955 to 1962; the serial number suggests this example was made around 1957.

  The top edge of the rule is marked: PATS. PEND. MADE IN U.S.A. 4081-3 LOG LOG DUPLEX DECITRIG ® COPYRIGHT 1947 BY KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. PATS. 2,500,460 2,168,056 2,170,144 2,285,722 2,422,649. These patents were issued between 1939 and 1950. They dealt with the arrangement of scales on a slide rule, in particular so that the user could solve multistep problems without having to write down intermediate settings, and with the placement of a legend to make placing the decimal point easier.

  The Keuffel & Esser Company of New York donated this slide rule to the Smithsonian in 1961. In 1959, model 4081-3 sold for $22.50. Model 4081-3, the Log Log Duplex Decitrig, differs from model 4080-3, the Log Log Duplex Trig, in that the degrees on the trigonometric scales are divided into decimals instead of into minutes. Compare to 1992.0437.01 and 2007.0181.01.

  References: Carl M. Bernegau, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 2,168,056 issued August 1, 1939); Lyman M. Kells, Willis F. Kern, and James R. Bland, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 2,170,144 issued August 22, 1939); Lyman M. Kells, Willis F. Kern, and James R. Bland, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 2,285,722 issued June 9, 1942); James R. Bland, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 2,422,649 issued June 17, 1947); Herschel Hunt, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 2,500,460 issued March 14, 1950); Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4081-3 Family of Slide Rules: 4080-3 & 4081-3 Family Groups," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4081-3family.htm; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; K + E Price List, Applying to the 42nd Edition Catalog (Hoboken, N.J., 1959), 73.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1955-1962

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.318482

  catalog number

  318482

  accession number

  235479

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4013 Thacher Cylindrical Slide Rule

  Description

  This desktop slide rule is in a mahogany case. It has a cylindrical brass drum covered with paper printed with forty A scales. A wooden handle is fastened to each end of the drum. The drum fits in an open rotating brass frame; twenty brass slats span the frame. The right side of the paper on the drum is printed in italics: Patented by Edwin Thatcher [sic], C.E. Nov. 1st 1881. Divided by W. F. Stanley, London, 1882. Made by Keuffel & Esser Co. N.Y.

  The slats are lined with cloth and covered with paper. Each slat is printed with two B and two C scales. The first A scale runs from 100 to 112; the fortieth runs from 946 to 100 to 105. The first B scale runs from 100 to 112; the fortieth runs from 946 to 100 to 105. The first C scale runs from 100 to 334; the fortieth runs from 308 to 305.

  The front of the frame is spanned by a brass pyramidal bar. A brass and metal mount with three thumbscrews is attached to the bar. A magnifying glass found within the case may be positioned on the mount. The mount may be adjusted by height, and it slides along the bar.

  The frame is screwed to a mahogany base. A paper with instructions is glued to the top front of the base. The top back of the base is engraved: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co (encircling N.Y.); 4013 (/) 2151; TRADE MARK (below the K&E lion logo). A paper K&E label loose inside the case is also stamped: No. 4013 (/) Serial 2151. A plastic label inside the case lid is imprinted: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. (/) NEW YORK (/) ST. LOUIS CHICAGO (/) SAN FRANCISCO. An index card with the letter V and a rectangle drawn in red pencil is also loose inside the case.

  The model number and shape of the frame indicate this instrument was manufactured after 1900. The serial number and evidence that Stanley was still dividing the scales for K&E suggest a manufacturing date before 1910–1915. (K&E began to divide and print its own scales in the 1910s and subsequently dropped the reference to Stanley from the drum.) In 1906, the model 4013 Thacher cylindrical slide rule sold for $45.00.

  The object was received with MA.271855.01.03, Directions for Using Thacher's Calculating Instrument (1907), which is a reprint of a booklet Edwin Thacher first published in 1884. The object was also received with a cardboard exhibit label, MA.271855.01.02, indicating that the Armour Institute of Technology donated the object to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, which in turn donated it to the Smithsonian in 1966 with a large supply of electrical apparatus. In Chicago, according to pencil markings on the case, label, and booklet, the object's museum catalogue number was 39.168.

  See also MA.315663.

  References: Edwin Thacher, Thacher's Calculating Instrument or Cylindrical Slide-Rule (New York: Van Nostrand, 1884); Wayne E. Feely, "Thacher Cylindrical Slide Rules," The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 50 (1997): 125–127; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser (New York, 1906), 314.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1900-1910

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.327886

  accession number

  271855

  catalog number

  327886

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4012 Thacher Cylindrical Slide Rule

  Description

  This desktop slide rule is in a wooden case that is significantly deteriorated on its inside. The rule has a cylindrical brass drum covered with paper printed with forty A scales. A wooden handle is fastened to each end of the drum. The drum fits in an open rotating brass frame; twenty brass slats span the frame. The right side of the paper on the drum is printed in italics: Patented by Edwin Thatcher [sic], C.E. Nov. 1st 1881. Divided by W. F. Stanley, London, 1882. Made by Keuffel & Esser Co. N.Y.

  The slats are lined with cloth and covered with paper. Each slat is printed with two B and two C scales. The first A scale runs from 100 to 112; the fortieth runs from 946 to 100 to 105. The first B scale runs from 100 to 112; the fortieth runs from 946 to 100 to 105. The first C scale runs from 100 to 334; the fortieth runs from 308 to 305.

  The frame is screwed to a mahogany base. A paper with instructions is glued to the top front of the base. An ivory label for Keuffel & Esser Co. is screwed to the front right corner. The top back of the base is engraved: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co (encircling N.Y.); 4012 (/) 1689; TRADE MARK (below the K&E lion logo). Another ivory K&E label is fastened inside the lid of the case. A paper K&E label pasted inside the lid is stamped in faded purple ink: No. 4013 (/) Serial 1689. Written in pencil is: Mar 22/07.

  The Thacher cylindrical slide rule was sized for a desk, but its scales were equivalent to those on a conventional slide rule over 59 feet long. It had scales for multiplication, division, and squares and square roots. There were no trigonometric scales.

  Keuffel & Esser sold model 4012 from 1900 to about 1950. The markings and serial number indicate this example dates to 1907. Model 4012 cost $35.00 in 1909. The U.S. Department of Agriculture transferred this example to the Smithsonian in 1964.

  See also MA.312866, MA.326628, and MA.323504.

  References: Wayne E. Feely, "Thacher Cylindrical Slide Rules," The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 50 (1997): 125–127; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 304.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1907

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.322730

  accession number

  252315

  maker number

  1689

  catalog number

  322730

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser Instructions for 4098 Ever-There Slide Rule

  Description

  The citation information for this 16-page tissue paper pamphlet is: Instructions for Operating Ever-There Slide Rule No. 4098 (New York: Keuffel & Esser, 1932). The pamphlet describes an earlier version of 1989.0325.06. It lists various uses for slide rules and provides detailed drawings and explanations for reading numbers and making calculations on the slide rule. Sample problems are solved in multiplication and division, proportion, squares and square roots, cubes and cube roots, trigonometry, and logarithms.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1932

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1981.0933.09

  accession number

  1981.0933

  catalog number

  1981.0933.09

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4105 Webb's Stadia Cylindrical Slide Rule

  Description

  This instrument consists of a wooden cylinder covered with paper scales, wooden handles at the ends of the cylinder, and a metal sleeve lined with felt. The sleeve, which is painted maroon, holds the cylinder. Running the length of the sleeve are a slot 1.5 cm wide and a paper scale.

  The instrument is marked on the paper covering the cylinder: “WEBB’S STADIA SLIDE RULE”, (/) DESIGNED BY WALTER LORING WEBB, C. E. (/) MANUFACTURED BY KEUFFEL & ESSER CO., N.Y. It also is marked there: DIRECTIONS. SLIDE THE CYLINDER UNTIL ONE END OF THE CYLINDER IS SET AT THE DISTANCE MARK ON THE SCALE AND SO THAT THE GIVEN ANGLE OF ELEVATION ALSO COMES TO SOME PART OF THE SCALE. THE REQUIRED QUANTITY IS 1/10 (1/100 or 1/1000, AS SHOWN BY THE MARK ON CYLINDER) OF THE SCALE READING AT THAT ANGLE MARK.

  The stadia slide rule was used in topographical surveying to determine the elevation and geographical position of points and objects. Initially, a chain and compass or transit had been used to determine geographical position, with a level employed to obtain relative elevations. Greater efficiency in these measurements was then found by using a plane-table.

  In about 1864, the U.S. Lake Survey adopted a third system, first used in Italy about 1820. A stadia rod was placed at the point of interest and sighted through the telescope of a transit. The distance to this point was found by observing the portion of the graduated rod shown between certain cross-hairs of the telescope. To find the elevation of the point, one examined the vertical angle on the vertical circle of the transit when the telescope was aimed at a point on the stadia rod that was the same height off the ground as the telescope. A stadia slide rule was then used for data reduction.

  Keuffel & Esser of New York introduced a 20-inch linear stadia slide rule in 1895. It sold under various model numbers (1749, 4101, N-4101) until 1952. In 1897, the firm introduced a 50-inch linear stadia slide rule designed by Branch H. Colby of St. Louis. Colby's stadia slide rule (model number 1749-3, later 4125) sold until 1903. Textbook authors such as John Butler Johnson endorsed the rule, but it was awkward to carry in the field.

  Walter Loring Webb (1863–1941), a civil engineer who graduated from Cornell University and taught there and at the University of Pennsylvania, proposed a rule that had parallel scales arranged on a cylinder, reducing the length of the instrument to about 16 inches. K&E sold Webb's stadia slide rule for $5.00 from 1903 to 1923.

  One end of the sleeve is painted: 1803. This may be an inventory number from the University of Missouri's Department of Civil Engineering, which donated the instrument in 1972. The university began teaching civil engineering in 1859, and its School of Engineering was renamed the College of Engineering in 1877.

  See also 1983.0472.01. For circular stadia slide rules, see MA.336425, 1987.0221.01, and 2002.0282.01.

  References: John Butler Johnson, The Theory and Practice of Surveying, 16th ed. (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1908), 237ff; Walter Loring Webb, Railroad Construction: Theory and Practice, 7th ed. (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1922), 22–23; Wayne E. Feely, "K & E Slide Rules," The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 49, no. 5 (1996): 50–52; Catalogue and Price List of Keuffel & Esser Co., 31st ed. (New York, 1903), 308; Mark C. Meade, "A History of the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri – Columbia," Archives of the University of Missouri, http://muarchives.missouri.edu/c-rg9-eng.html.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1903-1923

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.333636

  accession number

  300659

  catalog number

  333636

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Charles Bruning 2401 Simplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This one-sided, five-inch white molded plastic linear slide rule has a glass indicator with a metal frame. The top edge is beveled and has a 12.5 cm scale, divided to millimeters. The top of the base has an A scale and is marked: CHARLES BRUNING CO. It is also marked: MADE IN U.S.A. The slide has B, CI, and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The left end of the front of the slide is marked: 2401. The bottom edge of the rule is beveled and has a five-inch scale, divided to 32nds of an inch. Three screws on the back of the rule permit the top of the base to be adjusted.

  The instrument fits in a brown leather sleeve, which in turn fits in a red cardboard box. The box is marked: BRUNING (/) [Bruning logo of CB inside a diamond] (/) CHARLES BRUNING COMPANY, INC. A slip of paper inside the box advertises a magnifier that could be ordered for 60 cents from any of fourteen Bruning branch offices located across the United States. For an instruction manual received with the instrument, see 1991.0445.03.01.

  Charles Bruning (1866–1931) was born in Denmark and immigrated to the United States. In Chicago during the 1890s, he became interested in the blueprint business. In 1897 he set up his own blueprinting company in Manhattan, which was incorporated at the New York Blue Print Paper Company in 1901. Around 1920 he purchased American Blue Print Company of Chicago, and the combined firms became known as the Charles Bruning Company, Inc. The company's 1921 catalog lists eleven slide rules, although it is unclear whether any of these were actually manufactured by Bruning. By 1936 a new system of numbering was introduced. It assigned different model numbers to slide rules sold with different types of cases. This increased the number of model numbers to 14, but only 8 of these appear to be distinct. By 1952 most slide rules sold by Bruning were all-metal slide rules manufactured by Pickett & Eckel. This all-plastic rule is an exception.

  The instruction manual was copyrighted in 1944. This model is not shown in the 1939 Bruning catalog. By 1952 the indicator was of a different form. Hence, this rule likely dates from 1944 to 1951. The Charles Bruning Company merged with the Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation in 1963.

  References: New York Blue Print Paper Company, Catalog (New York, 1921), 155–157; "Charles Bruning," New York Times (January 31, 1931), 14; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog (New York, 1936), 130–134; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog (New York, 1939), 146–152; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog (Teterboro, N.J. and Chicago, 1952), 121.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1944-1951

  maker

  Charles Bruning Company

  ID Number

  1991.0445.03

  accession number

  1991.0445

  catalog number

  1991.0445.03

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser N4088-5 Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This 20-inch mahogany duplex slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. The front of the base has DF and D scales, with CF, CIF, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < N4088-5 >. The bottom of the base is marked in red: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; PAT. JUNE 5. '00 DEC. 22. '08; MADE IN U.S.A. Between the second and third of these marks is scratched: BS37884C.

  The back of the base has K, A, D, and L scales, with B, S, T, and CI scales on the slide. The left end of the slide and the front of the rule are marked with a serial number: 235867. A glass indicator has plastic edges held together with metal screws. One edge is marked: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. The rule is in a green cardboard box that also contains a paper slip of instructions for adjusting the rule. The back of the slip has a table of equivalents and abbreviations from U.S. Bureau of Standards Circular No. 47. Compare to the tables pasted on the back of slide rules such as 1984.1068.01, MA.321780, and 1987.1084.01. Keuffel & Esser of New York manufactured and sold model N4088-5 from 1936 to 1938 for $22.00.

  The physicist Philip Krupen (1915–2001) gave this slide rule to the Smithsonian in 1986. He earned a BS from Brooklyn College in 1935, worked on the development of the proximity fuse during and after World War II, received an MS in physics from The George Washington University, and spent a total of 38 years working for the U.S. government before he retired in 1973.

  References: Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 651,142 issued June 5, 1900); Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 907,373 issued December 22, 1908); Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule Runner" (U.S. Patent 1,150,771 issued August 17, 1915); Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 314–315; "Price List of K&E Slide Rules," (July 1, 1938), 1; Dieter von Jezierski, Slide Rules: A Journey Through Three Centuries, trans. Rodger Shepherd (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 2000), 71–75; "Philip Krupen," The Washington Post, February 23, 2001, B07.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1936-1938

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1986.0790.02

  accession number

  1986.0790

  catalog number

  1986.0790.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4071 Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch duplex mahogany slide rule is coated with white celluloid on the front and back; the edges are bare. Unlike earlier slide rules from the Keuffel & Esser Company, such as MA.318477, the end pieces are silver-colored metal (not brass) and the indented edges of the end pieces face in instead of out. The indicator is glass in a brass frame, which was called the "clam shell" style.

  The scales are labeled. On both sides, the top of the base has an A scale and the bottom of the base has a D scale. The slide has B and C scales on one side and BI and CI scales on the other side. On one side, the bottom of the base is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co.N.Y. It is also marked there: B.S.5470. On the other side, the bottom of the base is marked in red: PAT. OCT. 6. 1891. The bottom edge of the indicator is engraved: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO (/) NEW–YORK.

  The instrument fits in a cardboard box covered with black morocco leather. The large part of the box is embossed: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co. (/) DUPLEX (/) SLIDE RULE. The U.S. National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) transferred this instrument to the Smithsonian in 1965 as excess property.

  K&E sold this instrument as model 4071 from 1901 to 1917. By this time, K&E was manufacturing slide rules from start to finish at its factory in Hoboken, N.J. In 1913, the shape of the end pieces was changed to an "L," as with MA.318475. That instrument also has patent dates of 1900 and 1908 on it, suggesting that this slide rule dates from 1908 or earlier. The 1909 catalog describes the 1908 patent as "pending." Model 4071 initially sold for $8.00 and was reduced to $7.00 in 1906 and to $5.00 in 1909.

  References: William Cox, "Engineer's Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 460,930 issued October 6, 1891); Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the Early 4071 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4071oldfamily.htm; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 30th ed. (New York, 1900–1901), 296; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 31st ed. (New York, 1903), 306; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 32th ed. (New York, 1906), 325; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 312; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 34th ed. (New York, 1913), 303.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1901-1908

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.326613

  catalog number

  326613

  accession number

  261654

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4083-3 Log Log Vector Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This two-sided ten-inch mahogany slide rule is coated with white celluloid and held together with metal end pieces. On one side, the base has LL02, LL03, DF, D, LL3, and LL2 scales, with CF, CIF, CI, and C scales on the slide. The right end of the slide is marked in red: © (/) K + E. On the other side, the base has Sh1, Sh2, Th, A, D, DI, LL01, and LL1 scales, with B, T, SRT, and S scales on the slide. The trigonometric scales are divided into degrees and into decimals. The left end of the slide has a serial number: 344425. The left ends of both parts of the base are marked: 425. A glass indicator has plastic edges and metal screws. Compare to MA.335483.

  The top edge of the rule is marked: PATS. PEND. MADE IN U.S.A. 4083-3 LOG LOG DUPLEX VECTOR ® COPYRIGHT 1947 BY KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. PATS. 2,500,460 2,168,056 2,170,144 2,285,722 2,422,649. These patents were issued between 1939 and 1950. They dealt with the arrangement of scales on a slide rule, in particular so that the user could solve multistep problems without having to write down intermediate settings, and with the placement of a legend to make placing the decimal point easier. See 2007.0181.01 for patent citations.

  There is no case. Keuffel & Esser of New York used this set of scales on this model number from 1955 to 1962. The serial number is consistent with a date earlier in this time frame. The company donated this example to the Smithsonian in 1961. The rule sold for $24.50 in the 1950s.

  References: Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4083-3 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4083-3family.htm; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; K + E Catalog, 42nd ed. (New York: Keuffel & Esser Co., 1954), 280–281.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1955-1961

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.318481

  catalog number

  318481

  accession number

  235479

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4088-3 Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch duplex linear slide rule is made from boxwood faced with white celluloid and held together with L-shaped metal end pieces. On one side, the base has DF and D scales, with CF, CIF, and C scales on the slide. The bottom of the base is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N. Y.; PAT. JUNE 5, '00 DEC. 22, '08. On the other side, there are K, A, D, and L scales on the base and S, T, and CI scales on the slide. Both pieces of the base and the slide are stamped on one end: 13. The indicator is glass in a metal frame with vertical bars on the sides.

  Keuffel & Esser introduced this form of slide rule in 1913 as model 4088-3 and sold it with a leather case for $7.00. This style of indicator was used only from 1913 to 1915, when K&E switched to its "frameless" glass cursor. This example thus dates to 1913–1915. Compare to MA.321778, 1981.0933.03, and MA.318480.

  References: Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 651,142 issued June 5, 1900) and "Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 907,373 issued December 22, 1908); Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 34th ed. (New York, 1913), 304a; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 35th ed. (New York, 1915), 307b.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1913

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  MA.318476

  catalog number

  318476

  accession number

  235479

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Macbeth Daylighting Circular Slide Chart

  Description

  In the first half of the 20th century, electric lighting became commonplace in American stores, factories, and homes. Firms such as Macbeth Daylighting Company of New York City and Corning Glassware of Corning, N.Y., developed special glass filters that transmitted incandescent light with optical properties similar to those of natural light. Macbeth distributed this white paper circular slide chart, which allowed the user to compare the efficiency and color temperature of Macbeth Whiterlite filters and Corning Daylite filters.

  The device is marked: MACBETH DAYLIGHTING CO., Inc. (/) 227–239 West 17th Street (/) New York. It probably dates from between 1920 and 1950. A tan paper envelope is also marked with the company's address.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1920-1950

  maker

  Macbeth-Evans Glass Company

  ID Number

  1979.3074.01

  nonaccession number

  1979.3074

  catalog number

  1979.3074.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  M. W. Kellogg Hydraulic Slide Rule

  Description

  From at least the early 20th century, engineers designed special slide rules for calculations relating to the flow of liquids and gases. This ten-inch, one-sided white plastic linear slide rule is marked: COPYRIGHT 1946 JESSER, BRANSCOMBE, WIANT AND CAWLEY. It is also marked: HYDRAULIC SLIDE RULE and THE M. W. KELLOGG COMPANY. The top of the base has scales labeled A and B. The A scale runs from 3 to 3,000 and is marked G. P. M. AT 60° F. The B scale has three sets of numbers (from 1 to 1,000; from 100 to 100,000; and from 1,000 to 1,000,000) and is marked: B-1 FT. PER SEC (/) B-2-B.P.D. AT 60° F. (/) B-3 LB. PER HR. The bottom of the base has scales labeled H and J, for changes in pressure computed for liquids and for vapors.

  The front of the slide has various scales for the density and velocity of vapors, with various scales for the expansion of liquids in different sizes of pipe on the back. The back of the rule contains detailed instructions for calculations of velocity and of pressure drop for both liquids and vapors. The indicator is glass with white plastic edges. One edge is marked KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. The other edge is marked PATENT 2,086,502. Keuffel & Esser of New York introduced this indicator on its rules in 1936 and patented it in 1937. As this example suggests, the indicator was also widely used as a replacement part and added to rules made by other companies. See also MA.318480, 1981.0933.05, and 1999.0254.01.

  M. W. Kellogg Company of New York City was a firm founded in 1901 that specialized in oil refining and the design of pipes. From 1944 it underwent several acquisitions and name changes until it merged with Brown & Root in 1998. It separated from parent company Halliburton in 2007 to be known as KBR. According to the donor, Nicholas Grossman, the instrument was developed by the Kellogg Company "for in-house use to calculate fluid flow, pressure drop, friction factors, etc. in connection with the design calculations of petrochemical process equipment. According to my best knowledge, this was never marketed, and about 100 slide rules were issued to the engineering staff. Naturally, with the advent of electronic calculators these slide rules became obsolete, and this one rightfully belongs in the Smithsonian." Of the four designers mentioned on the object, at least Benn Wainwright Jesser (1915–2011) and John Ambrose Cawley (1919–1989) graduated from Princeton and worked for M. W. Kellogg after World War II. The other designers were George Howard Branscombe and Isaac Joseph Wiant.

  References: Library of Congress, Catalog of Copyright Entries: Works of Art, Etc., 3rd ser., 1, no. 1 (1947): 39; Who's Who in Engineering (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1954), 1231; "John Ambrose Cawley '42," Princeton Alumni Weekly (May 16, 1990), http://paw.princeton.edu/memorials/76/71/index.xml; accession file.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1946

  maker

  M. W. Kellogg Company

  ID Number

  1981.0998.01

  accession number

  1981.0998

  catalog number

  1981.0998.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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