The slide rule the book, written by florian cajori, is the standard work on the early history of the slide rule. This is peculiar, but it is intended that this rule will be used in conjunction with the one with two fourdecade loglog scales, normal and reciprocal, as part. An easy introduction to the slide rule asimov, isaac. On the body and slide are scales that are parallel to each other. The a, d, and k scales are on the body, the b, and c scales on the slide. All the images of slide rules in the galleries and the pdf files of scanned books, manuals and instructions have been free to download since 2003.
The cursor travels the full length of the body, and the hairline crosses these scales for direct comparison. The geekfactor of having a slide rule on your wrist as well as the aviation and spacerace connections sold me on the concept. Web to pdf convert any web pages to highquality pdf files while retaining page layout, images, text and. There is no way of indicating the position of the d. They were finally abandoned with the advent of handheld calculators, computers and smart phones. The slide rule is used mainly for multiplication and division, and also for scientific functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry, but usually not for addition or subtraction. Mathematical foundations of the slide rule with ack corrected. If you use a different pdf reader, your procedures should be quite. Adding slide rules are not practical, but demonstrate how to use a slide rule in a simple. The article included a downloadable pdf file pictured in the graphic for this step. These were used by pilots to do simple arithmetic, conversions and other calculations in an era before gps and calculators. Unlike earlier versions of my circular slide rule, i put it far enough towards the outside that i could graduate it for a 20 inch rule instead of as for a 10 inch rule.
The slide rule is used mainly for multiplication and division, and also for scientific functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry, but usually not for addition or subtraction there are many different styles of slide rules. You can multiply 3 numbers with a single move of the slide on the kids rule. If both the outside and inside circular rules have identical scales with a full range from 10 to 90, then you have what are known as c and d log. The rule has engraved plastic scales pinned to a wooden base, with a singleline glass cursor in a metal frame. That way, they will be in relation to the scanner at the identical height off the glass, identical angle, and with the same color balance. Unfortunately, i dont have a copy of the revised edition, but even this early work has a lot going for it. Old pilots watches feature these slide rules, and any newer pilotstyle watches also have this. The shirt and tie evolved into a tshirt sporting some software advertisement. It has a slide rule bezel styled after the famous breitling navitimer which in turn borrowed features from the e6b manual flight computer carried by. This software tries to replicate the slide ruler which was so popular way back than. Try to adjust the slide rule parts so the slider and framing part are both properly aligned. Slide rule universe take the learn to use and clean them link.
Here is a virtual slide rule which works in your browser. This site hosts a portable package of derek ross, stefan vorkoetters, and brian bartholomews virtual slide rules browserhosted slide rule simulators. Here are two videos with regrettable autofocus hunting explaining the basics of computation with a slide rule. The slide rule, or slipstick, is a mechanical analog computer. To the extent possible under law, uploaders on this site have waived all to their vector images.
Overview of the major categories of slide rules, and descriptions of common scale labels and meanings. Slide rule vintage international kindle edition by shute. An easy introduction to the slide rule internet archive. Slide rule vintage international kindle edition by. Ci1st number to multiply, goes over top d2nd number to multiply. Cylindrical and circular instruments are made which employ the logarithmic principles and these. Issue 12 contains my first published gazette article entitled thacher accuracy with unique expenditure. In addition are a few manuals i have written for my own jugglers and radix series slide rules.
Unfortunately because of the screen resolution, numbers are displayed digitally. This program replicates the most common types of slide rules. Additional slide rule material can be accessed using the links in the left bar under slide rule content pages. Linear slide rules service slide rule scale length 10 approx, overall length 14 made in australia little is known of the company that manufactured this service slide rule in sydney, australia, probably in the 1950s.
A book from the same era as my recently acquired slide rule was the best introduction i could have asked for. There is also a version as a word document which is smaller 2040 kb. The slide rule, also known colloquially in the united states as a slipstick, is a mechanical. So the space from 1 to 10 is the same as the space from 10 to 100, and so on. Ron manleys slide rule site take the instructions link. They will use their findings here and the slide rules template to make the slide rules. Get the best deals on circular slide rule when you shop the largest online selection at. The slide rule cannot be regarded as a modern invention since the first design dates from the early part of the seventeenth century, but every year sees additions and variations made and the uptodate instrument has, as might be expected, advanced greatly beyond the earlier types. Circular slide rules also eliminate off scale calculations, because the scales. Slide rule vintage international kindle edition by shute, nevil. On a log scale, the spacing between each multiple of 10 is equal, while the spacing between individual numbers changes along the rule. For the past 400 years, the calculations performed on slide rules have made possible such feats as designing the first skyscraper and putting a. An adding slide rule works just like a multiplication slide rule. A typical teninch student slide rule pickett n902t simplex trig.
See more ideas about slide rule, old computers and mechanical calculator. Heres what the completed logarithmic slide rules should look like. Sphere researchs slide rule universe, build your own. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Students are now going to make log slide rules and use these to explore the properties of logs. Background on logarithms, history of the slide rule, and how it all works. He explains what a slide rule is and how you can build one of your very own. The author had founded the unique slide rule company in 1920. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. To download the file in pdf format, right click on the word download and choose save target as if you are using microsoft explorer or. Collecting slide rules oughtred society slide rule home. Read both the multipliers and the results on the linear scales on the cursors not on the spiral.
Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. The pocket protector has been replaced by a cell phone holster. As graphical analog calculators, slide rules are closely related to nomograms, but the former are used for general calculations, whereas the latter are used for applicationspecific computations the slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and division, and also for. Obviously most of us arent going to use a slide rule for day to day math in jobs or school, but sometimes its interesting to see how these old tools work. You are free to edit, distribute and use the images for unlimited commercial purposes without asking permission. Circular slide rule based on my guess concerning nystroms calculator design. The slide rule, also known colloquially in the united states as a slipstick, is a mechanical analog computer. Scientific american 81 t wo generations ago a standard uniform identi. And the slide rule has become an electronic calculator. The body slide image click to download the pdf circular designs. The slide rule and other instruments which give the same facilities for rapid calculations, are covered by the term mechanical calculation.
There are also a couple of slider calculaters from brian and myself. A slide rule is a mechanical device that uses the alignment of numeric values marked on sliding scales to perform mathematical calculations. Slide rule gazette issues 11 and 12 published by the united kingdom slide rule circle uksrc. Once you become comfortable with using your slide rule, you may choose to tear out the 4 sheets of paper that comprise part i, fold them up, and stick them inside your copy of the nautical almanac, to give you a concise reminder of things you know how to do. Logarithms were discovered by john napier 1550 1617. The leaflet that came with the aristo projection slide rule aristoprojektionsrechenstab. On the reverse side of the slide, the s, l, and t scales appear, and the slide may be re. The slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and division, and also for scientific functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry, but does not generally perform addition or subtraction there are many different styles of slide rules. The first of three templates to build a circular slide rule background. The sterling slide rule has standard a, b, c, c, d, and k scales. Slide rule for windows is a revolutionary new software it is a single sided slide ruler for windows 3. The slide rule, also known as a slipstick, is a mechanical analog computer. After a buying or making a slide rule, if the original manual isnt available online many are, theres a superb illustrated tutorial on slide rule use pdf download offered on the oughtred. My slide rules this gallery is in the process of some updating, as many of the scans are from the 1990s, when my way of taking pictures was to put the slide rule on a flatbed scanner and hope it came out reasonably clearly.
If you download the instructions, two of the basic slide rules. The oughtred society has a meeting in june in mountain view, california, and a meeting in february in las vegas, nevada. Able photo slide show is a program designed to display all images as a slide show using many transition effects, each image being shown for some predetermined time before going on to the next. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options.
Here is a basic circular slide rule design you can build. Its usage is identical to that of a real slide rule, but tim has introduced two major enhancements. Classroom activity before introducing the multiplication logarithmic slide rules, show how 2 rulers can make an adding slide rule. Slide rule simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. How to build yourself a slide rule math wonderhowto. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Thompsons original 1930 slide rule book was also updated in a second 1952 edition the standard manual of the slide rule that many collectors feel is the standard slide rule reference text. Each just needs to be cutout and placed onto a cd case. As graphical analog calculators, slide rules are closely related to nomograms, but the former are used for general calculations, whereas the latter are used for applicationspecific computations. The top picture shows the setting for the multiplier 8 in the sum 8 x 6.
Slide rules mentioned in the new rules section are the same as those in the 12th edition with the inclusion of the stilfox slide rule, the picolet circular slide rule, the davis lee bottomley slide rule, the davis jakin surveyors slide rule, the davis stokes field gunnery slide rule and the davis martin wireless slide rule. Their elegant simplicity is still a thing of wonderment. Program allows to browse, edit, convert and print images. There are a number of sources of manuals for slide rules, they were usually supplied with slide rules when purchased although over the years they have become detached from the slide rule and are now lost. Generally, they are either have a linear form or that of a circle. The appeal of slide rules for use and as collectables. Displays, an auction, and slide rule talks are the scheduled highlights, plus visiting with other collectors. Scientific american may 2006 university of vermont. I typed and scanned this in from one of the manuals that came with my n4es slide rule. May 01, 2020 this slide rule has a logarithmic scale.
Reading the slide rule scales ia the decimal point d. The lower picure shows the answer on the leftmost cursor. To build the slide rule, you will need to download and print the following image at 300 dpi. The single slide rule is designed for beginner, consisting of k, a, b, ci, c and d scales only. Use pdf download to do whatever you like with pdf files on the web and regain control.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Many pilots watches made make use of a circular slide rule on the bezel of the watch. How many days will it take for 8 men to finish the job. Students first need to complete questions on the student worksheet logarithmsdemystified. It is a free, javabased, incredibly precise and configurable scientific slide rule that you can run on your desktop. These scales represent various functions, and by moving the slide relative to the body, a calculation involving multiple functions can be performed, with the indicator allowing.
Updated november 3, 2001 types of slide rules and their scales. This one is for a generalpurpose rule, except that hyperbolic functions are present, and loglog scales omitted. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading slide rule vintage international. Circular slide rule watch tutorial my quick guide and tutorial explaining how to use a circular slide rule flight watch my seiko flight master. Slide rules were used for over 400 years for calculating and estimating. The international slide rule museum has a multitude of resources for slide rule fans, including scans of user manuals from a variety of manufacturers. I purchased a seiko snab67 flight master chronograph in 2009. With this circular slide rule, inverse proportion should always be done between d and cl. Collecting slide rules oughtred society slide rule home page. The leaflet is printed in nine different langauges. If you click on the image a scan of the article is available in pdf format, reproduced here with the permission of the uksrc. The international meeting of slide rule and other math. The slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and division, and also for scientific functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry, but does not generally perform addition or subtraction. The site has instruction manuals for a number of slide rules.
Here are a few instruction manuals for aw faber faber castell slide rules that i have acquired, most came with slide rules as indicated. Given the binary capability of the overlay design, it can indeed be. For the past 400 years, the calculations performed on slide rules have made possible such feats as designing the first skyscraper and putting a man on the moon. Theres a good selection at the international slide rule museum website, including an ingenious circular rule using a cd case by ying hum, see below. It is unfortunate that, for some reasons not easy to see, the slide rule is sometimes regarded as a difficult instrument with which to become proficient. Nate, the mathematics guy shows you the basics of a slide rule.
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