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Slide Rules

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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Been meaning to ask. Does anyone know anything about them? (Not how to use them - I tried to learn once then decided it was easier to become a minister.
grin.gif
) However, I inherited 3 from my father and don't know if they are collectable? valuable? rare? No real plans to get rid of them - in fact I suspect at least one or two of my nieces/nephews will go into engineering/science so a gift of "Opa's slide rule" should be cool. but, any ideas?
 
From the looks of things on e-bay; they aren't very valuable. My dad was an engineer and used one all the time until calculators came out. He taught me how when I was a kid...no memory now of how to use one though.
 
Does it come with the requisite holster and Banlon shirt with pocket protector? I remember those guys in college in the 60's. The bigger the slide rule, the better.
 
I'd give 'em to offspring as artifacts. I had a small collection that I'd used in school. A couple were the "usual" type and I also had a circular version and a large one used for training in calculating load balances in aircraft. Sold them as "antiques" a few years ago for practically nothing.
 
I used one throughout high school and part of college until I was able to buy a very expensive four-function Texas Instruments calculator in 1974.

I still have my slide rule and remember some of the basics.

One of my friends has a six-foor slide rule as would be found in classrooms back in the day.

That would be neat to have as a conversation piece.
 
I still have all four of mine from school.
It was weird when I went back to college after the military that in the first chemistry class when the prof asked a question before I even had my slide set kids all around were giving the answer and there were little red lights all around me. That was the last day that I took my "rule" to school and I got a brand new TI-51A!! Big deal!
BillM
 
I last used mine in ~1966 in my local Community College. Then I went to a 4-yr university. They had a Wang calculator that sat in a drawer and had a keypad on the desk. The slide rule went in a drawer and never came out again. I can't see that they will ever be anyting but a museum piece. Maybe next to the Apple I or Apple II.
 
Still have mine, you are welcome to them. We had profs. that would not allow calculators in class, but you could use a slide rule. Bought a simple Rockwell 8R, then mortgaged my soul for a TI 50. Not understanding the situation , I bought my TI 50 with the thought that I should get in on the ground floor while they were still cheap. :nonod: Of course they were soon to be giving the simple calculators away with a fill up at the gas station. :yesnod:
 
el said:
I bought my TI 50 with the thought that I should get in on the ground floor while they were still cheap. :nonod: Of course they were soon to be giving the simple calculators away with a fill up at the gas station. :yesnod:
Click to expand...

*snork*


I'm followin' that logic and waiting for the Nikon DSLR's to show up in like manner. :wink:

As fer th' slip-sticks, I've mine and my Old Fella's. And a 6" one he gave me when I was back in HS. I doubt I could actually use one now. The Ti-51 was banned from classes when I was in college, too. Now, Android and Google are standard equipment. feh.
 
Still have one at home from high school days. And actually somewhere my original calculator, 4 times the size of the phone in my pocket. And all just to do the 4 basic functions and squares....
 
I doubt if any of the ones we used, even though they are ancient, are collectible enough to be valuable. The only value I place on the ones I <span style="text-decoration: underline">STILL</span> have, is I don't have to use them anymore! That's why I love the electronic era! :jester: PJ
 
Hold on a minute, don't dump those slide rules in the trash or on eBay just yet. Those of you who still have them should brush up on how to use them. And then in December when everything goes topsy-turvy you'll be able to provide engineering services in a world void of things electronic!!
grin.gif
 
Silverghost said:
Hold on a minute, don't dump those slide rules in the trash or on eBay just yet. Those of you who still have them should brush up on how to use them. And then in December when everything goes topsy-turvy you'll be able to provide engineering services in a world void of things electronic!!
grin.gif
Click to expand...

Yes, that is one advantage that they have. :rolleyes:
 
Dang, thought you were talking of these

slides_aquapolis_1_big.jpg


What's a slide rule
 
Yes Dude, slides rule! :wink:
 
Our oldest Son got one from his Grandfather.
He used it in his high school math class.
I doubt that any of the current teachers
would have clue on how they operate.

- Doug
 
Can you still find adapter power supply for them?
 
Figured I should post some pics - here are two. The garage is kind of a shambles right now (OK, always) but will post the others when I find them. (I am fairly certain I put them in a safe place)
 
DNK said:
What's a slide rule
Click to expand...

Algebra never helped me in a rock fight,
got a "D" in algebra.

Got a "A" in metalshop (used calipers)
 
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