Welcome to the

INTRODUCTION

These are scans or pictures of actual slide rules in the museum. Every specimen is different in some way. There are over 1000 unique items at present dating from 1900. Duplicate model numbers in this collection have different cursors, scales or construction features. Unlike most collectors who want pristine specimens, I enjoy getting slide rules that are marked with the original engineer's name especially when I'm told what work they were used for, even if it only helped them get through college.

The codes S0XX, P0XX, MXX, REF, etc are my personal filing system and are not part of manufacturer's model numbers. When you click on the pictures you will get a 150 dpi FULL SIZE SCAN of the slide rule. Scales are listed as to the location on the slide rule. Common scales A [B, C] D is the front side.

Scales are described using the above convention

This is a work-in-progress as most collectors will attest. I have begun to add reference pictures of slide rules which I use to quickly identify items that I run across. Some scans are being supplied by other collectors who use my site as a reference, credits are duly noted.

Most of the scans are larger than can be fully displayed in a default browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 uses Automatic Image Resizing to make it fit without scroll bars. To display an image at full size in order to see more detail, change your settings by navigating to: Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/Enable Automating Image resizing [uncheck box].

MISSION STATEMENT

This collection of mathematical artifacts has taken quite a while and expense to accumulate and catalog. I cannot imagine the effort it would take to try and sell everything individually. Consequently, my goal was to find one or more worthwhile educational institutions that would appreciate such a collection and donate it to them, all or part, as an unconditional gift, in order to preserve the work that has been done so far. So far, recipients have been the University of Colorado, the Smithsoniam Museum, and the Computer History Museum.

As of May 26, 2006, the majority of the physical specimens and files used to create this museum are now located at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California for preservation and display. Take time to visit CHM when you are in the area.

DONATIONS OF SLIDE RULES

If you wish to give your slide rule or your parents or relative's slide rule a bit of immortality and especially to honor the work that was done in life, donations are readily accepted and well cared for. (No money please!) Please include a brief bio/profile of the owner for the display. A small portrait may be included. Donated artifacts will never be sold but will be transferred to the Computer History Museum or an established college or university. See the Example below on how it will be presented. Please contact:

Display Example of a Donation:

S535 K&E 4092-3

K&E 4092-3 S/N 187247
Made in U.S.A. - All Glass cursor - Used 1926-1930
Front Scale
LL0, A [ B, S, T, C ] LL3, LL2, LL1
Back Scale
K, DF [ CF, CIF, CI, C ] D, L

Parker D. Shepperd (c1910-1963) used this slide rule at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Graduated 1930 with a mechanical engineering degree. Case has student's address at 1221 University, Boulder, CO, a fraternity house near the campus. Mr Shepperd worked in various firms designing commercial HVAC systems, such as General Electric in Schenectady, NY, and Johnson Service Company in Detroit, Cleveland, and Boston. One of his big projects was the John Hancock Building in Boston. Slide rule donated by his daughter, Marnie, and has now been permanently transferred, with other items, to the University of Colorado Heritage Center.

Leslie (My Dad) Konshak's Slide Rule

This was my Dad's slide rule. Like most things he had it was not elegant, always practical, and in this case is one of the least expensive out there. Yes, it's a Sterling 584 which many collectors wouldn't even give a second glance. Sometime along the way the slide rule broke and rather than toss it away, Dad (or Mom) epoxied it back together and was given a new life. Eat it up, wear it out, do with or do without. As of 2005, I am 58, Dad is 88. Mom passed on in 2003 at 84.