Computers & Business Machines

• Keuffel & Esser 4088-5 Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This duplex linear slide rule is made of mahogany coated with celluloid. There are DF and D scales on one side of the base and K, A, D, and L scales on the other side. There are CF, CIF, and C scales on one side of the runner and B, S, T, and CI scales on the other side. The scales are 20 inches long (the "5" in the model number refers to a rule with scales 20 inches long) and closely divided. The indicator is made of glass with a plastic frame.

  The base is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.N.Y.; PAT. JUNE 5. ’00; DEC. 22. ’08; MADE IN U.S.A. The runner is marked: 4088-5. The serial number, on the other side of the runner, is: 72287. The slide rule is stored in a dark brown cardboard and glued leather box.

  Keuffel & Esser published catalogs in 1899, 1902, 1905, 1909, 1912, 1915, 1921, 1927, and 1936. Model 4088-2 (8 in.) and 4088-3 (10 in.) slide rules first appeared in the 1913 printing of the 1912 catalog (facing p. 304). Model 4088-5 was first mentioned in 1921 (p. 239) and then again in 1927 (p. 302). In 1927 and in the 1930s (but not in 1921), the front of the runner had a B scale in addition to the S, T, and CI scales. By 1936, the 4088-5 was replaced by the N4088-5 (p. 314). On this basis, the rule dates from between 1922 and 1935. Additionally, the donor reported that he received the slide rule from a friend in about 1930. The instrument sold for $20.00 in 1927. Compare this object to 318476 and 1986.0790.02.

  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); Peter M. Hopp, Slide Rules: Their History, Models, and Makers (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 1999), 193; Clark McCoy, Keuffel & Esser Catalogs, http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1925-1935

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1994.0376.01

  accession number

  1994.0376

  catalog number

  1994.0376.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  French-Style Sector

  Description

  The arms of this brass instrument have straight edges, but the hinge is decorated with a sunburst. One side has double scales of chords, running from 10 to 180; of architectural drawings, running from 5 to 60; and for the specific weights of four metals, marked with their symbols. The outer edge has a scale that runs from 1/4 to 64 and is labeled Calibres des Pieces. There is no maker's mark.

  The other side has double scales for equal parts, running from 0 to 200; for solids, running from 5 to 60; and for the lengths of the sides of inscribed regular polygons, from 12 sides to three sides. The outer edge has a scale running from 1/4 to 64 and labeled Poids des Boulets. The outside face of the instrument has scales for English feet and French feet, each running from 1 to 6. This instrument was found in Smithsonian storage in 1956.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  18th century

  ID Number

  MA.314799

  catalog number

  314799

  accession number

  210147

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Hemmi-Sun Mannheim Slide Rule

  Description

  This small (4-inch) one-sided rule is bamboo with a metal backing, entirely covered with white celluloid. A magnifying glass indicator has a metal frame. There are A and D scales on the base. The slide has B and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The lower edge of the base has a scale of centimeters divided to millimeters. The upper edge of the base has a scale of inches divided to thirty-seconds of an inch.

  The D scale is marked at each end: Quot (/) +1; Prod (/) -1. The back of the slide rule is marked: "SUN" (between two drawings of the sun); HEMMI; MADE IN JAPAN. A brown leather case is stamped in gold on the flap: BAMBOO (/) SLIDE RULE (/) "SUN" (between two drawings of the sun) (/) HEMMI. Written in pen inside the flap is: BOB YINGLING.

  According to the donor, a colleague used this slide rule in a training program at the American Brass Company Division of Anaconda Mining Company in Waterbury, Conn., in the 1940s. He used it for such problems as calculating the weight of samples from their volume and density.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1940

  maker

  SUN HEMMI JAPAN CF

  ID Number

  1995.0087.01

  accession number

  1995.0087

  catalog number

  1995.0087.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  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

• 

  Italian-Style Sector

  Description

  This small brass instrument has two hinged arms, each with a steel point at the end. On one side, both arms have a single scale that runs from 8 (near the hinge) to 1 and is labeled Lin. Recta. If 1 is the full length of the line, 2 represents 1/2 the length, 3 is 1/3 the length, and so on. One arm on this side also has a scale marked with the number 3 at both ends. It is 1/3 the length of the instrument. The single scale on the other side runs from 15 to 6 and is labeled Lin. Circularis. It is used to indicate the length of arcs of a circle. If the points are set at opposite ends of the radius of a circle (the distance marked "6"), a polygon inscribed in the circle with sides equal to that distance will have six sides. A polygon inscribed in the circle at the separation marked "7" will have seven sides, and so on.

  Instruments of this type were introduced in Italy, probably by Guidobaldo del Monte, and first described by G. P. Gallucci in a book about mathematical instruments published in Venice in 1598. They were used into the seventeenth century, but they were superseded by more complicated sectors. In particular, Galileo expanded on and publicized the arrangement of scales in 1606, and his form became known as the Italian style.

  Reference: Galileo Galilei, Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass, trans. and intro. Stillman Drake (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1978), 12.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  early 17th century

  ID Number

  MA.321678

  catalog number

  321678

  accession number

  245711

  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

• 

  Pickett Trig Slide Rule Instruction Manual

  Description

  This 64-page booklet was received with 1993.0559.01. Its citation information is: Maurice L. Hartung, How to Use . . . Trig Slide Rules (Chicago: Pickett & Eckel Inc., 1960). It sold separately for fifty cents. Hartung was the University of Chicago professor who was closely associated with Pickett & Eckel in the company's early years and who wrote several instruction manuals for the firm's slide rules.

  The booklet discusses slide rule operation, use of certain special scales, applications of trigonometry, and the principles underlying slide rules. Hartung focused on the operations of the instrument rather than on mathematical theory. There are problem sets at the end of each section, with answers in the back of the manual, and a few sets of "practical" (word) problems. Another copy of the booklet is scanned at http://sliderulemuseum.com/Manuals/M104_Pickett_HowToUseTrig_1960.pdf.

  Reference: "Maurice Leslie Hartung," Mathematics Genealogy Project, http://www.genealogy.math.ndsu.nodak.edu/id.php?id=7964. Hartung received a life achievement award from the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics in 1977, http://ictm.org/ictmawards/lifeachievement.html.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1960

  publisher

  Pickett Industries

  author

  Hartung, Maurice L.

  ID Number

  1993.0559.01.01

  accession number

  1993.0559

  catalog number

  1993.0559.01.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Instruction Manual for Gerber Variable Scale

  Description

  The citation information for this 40-page stapled booklet is: H. Joseph Gerber, The Gerber Variable Scale: An Application and Instruction Manual (Hartford, Conn.: The Gerber Scientific Instrument Company, 1981). Gerber wrote these instructions in 1953 to accompany his invention; see 1994.0113.01. He inscribed this copy to Steve Lubar, who was chair of the division of history of technology when Gerber donated examples of several mathematical instruments he had invented.

  The booklet explains the construction and use of the Gerber Variable Scale. It then describes typical problems that could be solved with the instrument, including finding points in a family of curves, translating curves, reading graphs more precisely, converting between proportional scales, enlarging and reducing engineering drawings, normalizing curves, interpolating points, counting cycles of frequencies, dividing one curve by another, determining the center of gravity, reading oscillograms, and mapping aerial photographs.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1981

  maker

  Gerber Scientific Instrument Co.

  ID Number

  1994.0113.04

  accession number

  1994.0113

  catalog number

  1994.0113.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Gebr. Wichmann Mannheim Simplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This five-inch, one-sided cardboard linear slide rule has a metal cursor in the double-chisel style. (Compare to MA.318477 and 1977.0370.01.) There are A and D scales on the base and B and C scales on the slide. The A and B scales are divided logarithmically from 1 to 10 twice. The C and D scales are divided logarithmically from 1 to 10 once. A figure holding a club is shown in the lower left corner. A dark brown case of coated paper is included.

  The figure on the slide rule was used by Gebr. Wichmann (Wichmann Brothers) in Berlin, a company founded in 1873. In materials, size, and scales, this instrument closely resembles model 466, shown in the 1910 catalog. However, the illustration in the catalog indicates that the maker's name, place of manufacture, model number, and price are printed on the front of the rule. This instrument does not have these marks, so it may have been made before 1910. The No. 466 slide rule sold for 0.75 marks and was one of the least expensive slide rules listed in the catalog. (Only model 469, with a C scale that began at pi, sold for the same price.)

  This instrument is signed on the back: W. F. Meggers. William F. Meggers (1888–1966) was a spectroscopist long associated with the U.S. National Bureau of Standards. He received his B.A. in physics from Ripon College in 1910, his M.A. in physics from the University of Wisconsin in 1916, and his Ph.D. in physics, mathematics, and astronomy from Johns Hopkins University in 1917. If he used this rule, it seems likely that he acquired it as a student. For a slide rule apparently acquired by Meggers in 1907 that was considerably more precise and more costly, see MA.335270.

  References: Gebr. Wichmann, Anleitung zum Gebrauch des Rechenstabes (Berlin, 1910), 21; "Dr. Meggers Dies at 78," The NBS Standard 11, no. 9 (December 1966): 2–3.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  before 1910

  maker

  Gebr. Wichmann

  ID Number

  MA.293320.2820

  accession number

  293320

  catalog number

  293320.2820

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 68-2047 Log Log Duplex Decitrig 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, ST, and S scales on the slide. The left end of the slide is marked: 410923. The left end of the top and the bottom of the base are both marked: 923. The indicator is glass, with white plastic edges held together with metal screws. Keuffel & Esser used this arrangement of scales from 1954 to 1962.

  The top edge of the rule is marked: PATS. PEND. MADE IN U.S.A. 4080-3 LOG LOG DUPLEX TRIG ® 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 rule fits into an orange leather case lined with chamois, which is marked on the flap: K + E. The case fits inside a green cardboard box, which has been completely wrapped in masking tape. See 2007.0181.01.01 for documentation received in the box. A label on the end of the box is marked: K + E (/) 68 1215 (/) LOG LOG DUPLEX DECITRIG (/) SLIDE RULE (/) WITH LEATHER CASE. The label is also marked: OLD (/) 4081-3S. The S indicates the sewn leather case. K&E's model 4081 differed from the 4080 in that the trigonometric scales were given in degrees and decimals of a degree instead of in degrees and minutes. In 1962, the model numbers were changed and given the prefix "68," and the ST scale was changed to an SRT scale. The 4080 with a sewn leather case would have been model 68-1318 in the new system. Thus, the rule was made before 1962 and the box was made after 1962. The serial number on the rule is consistent with a manufacturing date in the late 1950s.

  The donor, Marvin Coolidge, reported that he purchased this rule in the fall of 1963 for use in a one-year slide rule course during college. He subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained in electronics repair, a field that did not require use of this slide rule.

  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); K + E Catalog, 42nd ed. (New York: Keuffel & Esser Co., 1954), 279; Keuffel & Esser Co., Slide Rules, Catalog 8 (Hoboken, N.J., 1962), 8-17; 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; Walter Shawlee II, Ted Hume, and Paul Ross, "Keuffel & Esser Co. Slide Rules," Sphere Research Corporation, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke-sliderule.html.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1954-1962

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  2007.0181.01

  accession number

  2007.0181

  catalog number

  2007.0181.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Pickett N1010-T Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch aluminum linear slide rule is coated with white plastic (the "traditional" color). It has a nylon indicator and is held together with stamped aluminum squared posts. The front of the base has K, A, D, and DI scales, with B, ST, T, S, and C scales on the slide. The left end of the slide is marked: MODEL (/) N1010-T (/) TRIG. The right end of the slide bears the style of Pickett logo used between 1958 and 1962. The number 74 appears above the logo.

  The back of the base has DF, D, DI, and L scales, with CF, CIF, CI, and C scales on the slide. The left end of the slide is marked: COPYRIGHT 1959 © (/) PATENT APPLIED FOR. The right end of the slide is marked: PICKETT & ECKEL, INC. (/) 272.

  The slide rule fits into a clear plastic bag and then into an orange-brown leather case lined in clear plastic. The triangular Pickett logo is embossed below the slot for the case's flap, and there is a metal ring on the back of the case for attaching to a belt. The slide rule arrived in a white, black, red, and yellow cardboard box. The 1958-1962 Pickett logo is superimposed on a model of the atom on the box. The top and bottom of the box are marked with several of the instrument's selling points: lifetime accuracy, all metal permanence; select a handy pocket size rule too (/) matched for your convenience by Pickett; micro divided scales; world's most accurate; safety liner case; completely guaranteed; complete instruction manual; slider tension springs.

  Inside the box are four pieces of paper: a welcome note from company president John W. Pickett, marked Form 247; care instructions for the rule, marked Form 543; a guarantee, which indicates this instrument has serial number 252372; and a promotional flyer on Pickett's "eye-saver" yellow color, marked Form 225-A. See 1993.0559.01.01 for an instruction manual received in the box. One end of the box is marked: Pickett SLIDE RULE (/) all metal • guaranteed (/) A PRODUCT OF AMERICAN ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING. The other end of the box has a product label, which notes the Model N-1010-T Trig Slide Rule has the: Approved Scale Arrangement for basic work in all fields (Schools, Business, Industry) where Log Log scales are not needed.

  The logo, nylon indicator with flat lens, straight style of posts, and company addresses in Chicago and Alhambra, Calif., are all consistent with a date around 1960. However, according to the donor, the slide rule was given to him by his parents as a Christmas gift in 1944.

  References: Alan Boardman, "Recollections of a Pickett Industries Employee," Journal of the Oughtred Society 16, no. 2 (2007): 8; Walter Shawlee, "Pickett Slide Rules," http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/pickett.html; Dieter von Jezierski, Slide Rules: A Journey Through Three Centuries, trans. Rodger Shepherd (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 2000), 75–76.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1960

  maker

  Pickett & Eckel, Incorporated

  ID Number

  1993.0559.01

  accession number

  1993.0559

  catalog number

  1993.0559.01

  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

• 

  Otis King's Pocket Calculator Model L Cylindrical Slide Rule

  Description

  This six-inch cylindrical slide rule consists of a chromium-plated holder, a metal cylinder that slides into the holder, and a black metal tube that fits around and slides up and down on the cylinder. The rule is ten inches long when extended. Two short white lines on the tube and a black mark on the chrome cap at the end of the cylinder serve as the indicator. A paper spiral logarithmic scale is attached to the top half of the holder. A second, linear and logarithmic, paper scale is attached to the cylinder. The logarithmic scales are used to multiply and divide, and the linear scale is used to find logarithms.

  At the top of the cylinder is printed: PATENT No 183723. At the bottom of the cylinder is printed: OTIS KING'S POCKET CALCULATOR; SCALE No 430. The top of the scale on the holder is printed: SCALE No 429; COPYRIGHT. The bottom is printed: OTIS KING'S PATENT No 183723. The end of the holder is machine engraved: MADE IN (/) Y5466 (/) ENGLAND.

  The instrument arrived in a mailing tube with return address: CALCULATOR COMPANY (/) POST OFFICE BOX 593 (/) LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA 90714.

  Otis Carter Formby King invented this form of slide rule in 1921, and Carbic Limited of London, England, manufactured it until 1972. The Calculator Company served as Carbic's distributor in the United States. The 5-digit ZIP code on the mailing tube indicates this example was made after 1963. The serial number, Y5466, suggests a date around 1965–1969.

  See also 1987.0788.01 and 1981.0922.09. The slide rule was received with a trifold instruction sheet, 1989.3049.03, and an advertising pamphlet, 1989.3049.04.

  References: Dieter von Jezierski, Slide Rules: A Journey Through Three Centuries, trans. Rodger Shepherd (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 2000), 44; Richard F. Lyon, "Dating of the Otis King: An Alternative Theory Developed Through Use of the Internet," Journal of the Oughtred Society 7, no. 1 (1998): 33–38; Dick Lyon, "Otis King's Patent Calculator," http://www.svpal.org/~dickel/OK/OtisKing.html.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1965-1968

  maker

  Carbic Limited

  ID Number

  1989.3049.02

  nonaccession number

  1989.3049

  catalog number

  1989.3049.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Square Wood Rule or Calculating Stick

  Description

  This large wood rule has a square cross-section and rounded edges. Metal plates are screwed into both ends. The rule is covered with numbers placed at one-inch intervals. One corner is numbered by ones from 1 to 60 and labeled "Height." "Wood Rule" is written above the scale. Adjacent to the 11 on this scale are listed 15 "Widths" in intervals of one inch, ranging from 3'2" to 4'4". Next to each Width, and adjacent to the numbers 12–60 on the Height scale, are lists of numbers. Each number is eight times the product of the height and width, with both of these taken in feet (i.e., the 12 is assumed to represent one foot). The numbers in the lists are rounded off to the nearest whole number.

  The National Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, acquired this calculating stick, probably between 1962 and 1965, for its Growth of the United States exhibition, which opened in 1967 and closed in 1982. What the original owner was measuring with these calculations is not known.

  Reference: William S. Walker, "A Living Exhibition: The Smithsonian, Folklife, and the Making of the Modern Museum" (Ph.D. diss., Brandeis University, 2007).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  19th century

  ID Number

  1987.0107.05

  accession number

  1987.0107

  catalog number

  1987.0107.05

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  The Effects of Nuclear Weapons

  Description

  The citation information for this paperback book is: Samuel Glasstone, ed., The Effects of Nuclear Weapons, rev. ed., a special report prepared at the request of the Department of Defense and published by the Atomic Energy Commission (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1962).

  In order to anticipate the physical damage and personal injuries that would result from a nuclear attack, and thus to encourage emergency responders and public officials to prepare themselves, numerous federal agencies joined together in 1957 to release information about the energy released in a nuclear explosion. An updated report was completed in 1962. Chemist and technical writer Samuel Glasstone (1897–1986) guided both efforts, as well as a third revision (with Philip J. Dolan) that appeared in 1977.

  The 1962 edition has a pocket at the back for a Nuclear Bomb Effects Computer, a circular slide rule that allowed users to make computations of blast effects, given various combinations of conditions based on data from the book. The pocket in this copy has an instruction sheet but not the instrument, which sold separately for $1.00 in addition to the book's price of $3.00. See 1990.0688.01 for a computer received from another source.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1962

  date received

  2005

  maker

  Glasstone, Samuel

  ID Number

  2005.3113.01

  nonaccession number

  2005.3113

  catalog number

  2005.3113.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Routledge's Engineer Linear Slide Rule

  Description

  This is a two-foot, two-fold boxwood rule with a brass hinge and endpieces. Half of one side is a slide rule with A and D scales on the base and B and C scales on the slide. As with MA.306697.01, the C scale is the same as the A and B scales (the square of the D scale), instead of the same as the D scale, as on modern Mannheim slide rules. Below the D scale is marked: SQUARE CYLINDER GLOBE (3 times) ROUTLEDGE'S ENGINEER.

  The first three marks form headings for the tables on the other half of this side when the instrument is folded. The tables give conversion factors from the volumes of geometric solids to units of volume, in both the "old" and imperial systems; conversion factors from the volumes of geometric solids to the weights in pounds of various substances; the areas of polygons from 5 to 12 sides; the gauge points of a circle; and gauge points for pumping engines, to find the diameters of steam cylinders that will work pumps of specified diameter at 7 pounds per square inch.

  The other side has a scale of 24 inches along one edge, divided to sixteenths of an inch for 9 inches and to eighths of an inch for the rest of the scale. There are also scales for making scale drawings that are 1, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 inches to the foot. This side is marked: T. ASTON THE ORIGINAL MAKER WARRANTED. One outside edge has scales for 10 and 12 parts to the inch; the other outside edge divides one foot into 100 parts.

  This form of slide rule was invented by Joshua Routledge, a seller of iron goods, in 1808 or 1809. He discussed it in the 1813 (4th) edition of Instructions for the Engineer's Improved Sliding Rule. According to Gloria Clifton, there were two rule makers named Thomas Aston, presumably a father and son, who were in business at various addresses in Birmingham, England, from 1818 to 1862. The references to pre-imperial system units of measure suggest the rule might have been made shortly after the imperial system was adopted in 1824. This instrument was found in the home of Grace Speer, granddaughter of Alfred Speer (1823–1910), an inventor and wine merchant in Passaic, N.J.

  References: John V. Knott, "Joshua Routledge 177[3]–1829," Journal of the Oughtred Society 4, no. 2 (1995): 25; Philip E. Stanley, "Carpenters' and Engineers' Slide Rules: Routledges' Rule," Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 37, no. 2 (1984): 25–27; Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers (London: National Maritime Museum, 1995), 11–12; accession file.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1824-1862

  maker

  Aston, T.

  ID Number

  1981.0934.01

  catalog number

  1981.0934.01

  accession number

  1981.0934

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Fowler's Long Scale Calculator Circular Slide Rule

  Description

  In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several circular slide rules were made to resemble pocket watches. Fowler & Co., of Manchester, England, was a particularly notable manufacturer of this type of slide rule. The company was in business from 1898 to 1988 and made a large variety of calculators, although the labor-intensive nature of its manufacturing process produced expensive instruments that never sold in large numbers.

  This example is the "long scale" model, consisting of a metal case with a ring, two knobs, and two rotating paper discs covered with glass. The front has a short logarithmic scale and a long logarithmic scale, laid out in six concentric circles rather than in a spiral. These scales are rotated by the knob on the left. The glass is marked with two hairlines. The interior of the disc reads: FOWLER'S (/) LONG SCALE CALCULATOR (/) PATENT (/) FOWLER & Co MANCHESTER.

  The other knob rotates the seven scales on the back of the instrument: multiplication and division, reciprocals, logarithms, square roots, logarithmic sines, logarithmic tangents, and a second scale for logarithmic sines. The interior is marked: FOWLER'S (/) CALCULATOR (/) PATENT (/) FOWLER & Co MANCHESTER. There is one hairline indicator on the glass. The slide rule is with a tarnished square metal case, lined with purple velvet. The outside of the case is engraved: Fowler's (/) CALCULATOR. The inside is stamped: Fowler & Co. (/) CALCULATOR (/) SPECIALISTS (/) Manchester (/) ENGLAND.

  William Henry Fowler (1853–1932) and his son, Harold Fowler, took out several British patents for improvements to circular calculators between 1910 and 1924. The first Fowler calculator with two knobs on the rim was patented in 1914. In 1927, Fowler & Co. introduced the Magnum Long Scale Calculator, which extended the scale length to 50 inches. Thus, this example is dated between 1914 and 1927.

  Charles Looney (1906–1987), the donor of this slide rule, catalogued engineering drawings and trade literature at the Smithsonian after he retired from the University of Maryland–College Park, where he served as chair of the Department of Civil Engineering. He also donated his library of books and pamphlets to the Museum.

  References: Peter M. Hopp, "Pocket-Watch Slide Rules," Journal of the Oughtred Society 8, no. 2 (1999): 45–51; Richard Blankenhorn and Robert De Cesaris, "The Fowler Calculators: A Catalogue Raisonné," Journal of the Oughtred Society 11, no. 2 (2002): 3–11; Museum of History and Science in Manchester, "Fowler & Co.," http://www.mosi.org.uk/media/33870536/fowlerandco.pdf; accession file.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1914-1927

  maker

  Fowler & Co.

  ID Number

  MA.333849

  catalog number

  333849

  accession number

  303780

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Gunter's Scale

  Description

  The top edge of one side of this 12-inch wooden rule has a scale of inches, divided to tenths of an inch and numbered by ones from 24 to 13, with a "1" visible at the right for the 12" mark. Underneath this scale are 10" and 9" (divided to 1/2") plotting scales with diagonal scales at each end. On the other side are unlabeled, partial scales for logarithms, logarithmic sines, logarithmic versines, logarithmic tangents, meridional lines, and equal parts. On the scale of equal parts, ten units are equivalent to 3 cm.

  This object appears to be a Gunter's scale that was cut in half. Compare to MA.319077, MA.318174, and MA.333945. The Smithsonian's Division of Ethnology received this rule in 1951 and believed it to be of American manufacture.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  MA.388991.01

  catalog number

  388991

  accession number

  182022

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Felsenthal FAE-15 Stadia Computer Circular Slide Rule

  Description

  This white plastic circular slide rule consists of a disc riveted to a square backing. The backing has a logarithmic scale of readings of a stadia rod used with a transit telescope, in feet. The disc has two logarithmic scales of angles. The first scale gives the difference in elevation of the transit and the stadia rod, in feet. It represents multiplying the stadia reading by 1/2 sin 2A, where A is the vertical angle of the transit telescope. The second scale finds the horizontal distance of the rod in feet and represents multiplying the stadia reading by the square of cos A. There is no indicator.

  The instrument is marked on the front: STADIA COMPUTER. The interior of the disc has DIRECTIONS FOR USE and a table providing the quantity to be added when a constant is used in measuring stadia. On the back, the rule is marked: 6675-664-4676 (/) CONTRACT NO. DSA 700-68-M-AF86 (/) FELSENTHAL INSTRUMENTS CO. (/) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (/) 22040 (/) MFR'S PART NO. FAE-15. It has a blue plastic case with snaps and a holder for a label. This object was donated with a second, duplicate Felsenthal stadia computer, which was assigned the same catalog number.

  The instrument resembles Cox's Stadia Computer (see 1987.0221.01 and 1987.0221.02). Donor Ben Rau dated the object to 1968, which is consistent with the form of the company name on the instrument. For Felsenthal company history, see 1977.1141.01 and 1977.1141.02.

  References: Deborah J. Warner, “Browse by Maker: Felsenthal,” National Museum of American History Physical Sciences Collection: Navigation , http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/navigation/maker.cfm?makerid=173; accession file.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1968

  maker

  Felsenthal Instrument Co.

  ID Number

  1977.1141.41

  catalog number

  336425

  accession number

  1977.1141

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Keuffel & Esser 4080-3 Log Log Trig Duplex Slide Rule

  Description

  This ten-inch double-sided mahogany rule is fully covered with white celluloid. On one side, there are L, LL1, DF, D, LL3, and LL2 scales on the base and CF, CIF, CI, and C scales on the slide. The top of the base is marked in red: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; PATS. RE.20,984 1,930,852 2,168,056 2,170,144 PAT. PEND.; MADE IN U.S.A. The right end of the slide is marked with the model number: < 4080-3 >. On the other side, there are LL0, LL00, A, D, DI, and K scales on the base and B, T, ST, and S scales on the slide. The left end of the slide and the front left corner of the base are marked with a serial number: 728903. The indicator is glass with plastic edges held together with metal screws. A piece is missing from the top edge; if it were whole, it would read: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y. The bottom edge is marked: PATENT 2,086,502.

  In images of the object, the slide is upside down.

  The rule fits into a sewn orange leather case. The flap is marked: K & E (/) LOG LOG DUPLEX (/) TRADE TRIG MARK (/) 4080-3S. The S refers to the sewed leather case. A paper table of equivalences was once attached to the case, but most of it has been torn away. The remaining portions resemble the charts on K&E simplex slide rules, such as 1984.1068.01. The back of the case has a metal ring, presumably to fit around a belt loop, and is marked: R. L. HUFFMAN.

  K&E used this combination of scales on this model from 1939 to 1947. The serial number on this example is consistent with a date earlier in this time frame. In 1947, it sold for $18.00. Included in the acquisition is a manual by William E. Breckenridge, The Log Log Duplex Slide Rule (1939). Compare this rule to 2007.0181.01.

  Robert L. Huffman owned this instrument. It seems likely that he used it as a college student. He received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1941. Huffman went on to work for Automatic Electric Company of Chicago and then, from 1945, for General Telephone Laboratories.

  References: Alfred W. Keuffel, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent RE20,984 reissued Janaury 24, 1939); Alfred W. Keuffel, "Slide Rule" (U.S. Patent 1,930,852 issued October 17, 1933); Adolf W. Keuffel, "Runner for Slide Rules" (U.S. Patent 2,086,502 issued July 6, 1937); 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); 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; The Automatic Electric Technical Journal 1, no. 2 (July 1948): front matter.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1939-1947

  maker

  Keuffel & Esser Co.

  ID Number

  1992.0437.01

  catalog number

  1992.0437.01

  accession number

  1992.0437

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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