ISRM Sponsored Slide Rule Displays and Presentations

Louisville Public Library
Louisville, Colorado
Exhibit May 2, 2009 through August, 2009

A small exhibit which featured a variety of slide rules was installed in the Louisville Public Library. Along with the slide rules, photos of local and famous people who owned and used many of the slide rules were included. One part includes SR's from locals who went to the US Military Academy and the US Air Force Academy. Rocket scientists Wernher von Braun and Sergei Korolev (along with Albert Einstein) are shown along with their favorite SR, The Nestler 23R. The two specimens in the exhibit were donated by Jürgen Nestler, the Great Grandson of Albert Nestler, in Germany. Authors Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein and Homer Hickam are shown with their books which included slide rules of the type they used or included in their writings. A section for women included Dr. Katherine Blodgett, GE scientist who invented invisible anti-glare glass and Virginia Sink, a Chrysler engineer who designed smog control devices. Other sections included military artillery slide rules, a couple long scale circular SRs and my favorite, SRs used by the of motorcycle builder and tuner Shell Thuet (2001 American Motorcycle Assn. hall of fame) who was the man behind many racing champions.

Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Longmont, Colorado
Presentation January 12, 2010

A small traveling exhibit which featured a variety of slide rules was displayed in the for the Boulder County chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineer. Along with the slide rules, photos of local and famous people who owned and used many of the slide rules were included. A slide rules were handed out to all SME members present and a step-by-step presentation on the use of the slide rules was demonstrated, bringing back many fond memories to the older participants. Mike Konshak, the founder and curator of the ISRM was given an award by Don larsen and Andy Keller. Andy also donated slide rules to ISRM that were not in the museum galleries. On a sad note, Andy died later in 2010. See his tribute below

Andrew (Andy) David Keller (1942-2010) had a long career as an ergonomist, industrial psychologist and human factors engineer, working 17 years for IBM. He served in the US Army 1966-1968 and made design and safety improvements for a personnel carrier which were adopted by the Army. Andy earned his undergraduate degree from Mankato State University and his Masters degree from the University of South Dakota. A strong community citizen, Andy served in his church and was an active leader of the local chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Andy was a contributor of numerous slide rules to the International Slide Rule Museum which can be found in the Pickett and Post galleries. He died in 2010 and was survived by his wife Anne in Longmont, Colorado.

If your town, school or museum would like a version of this display, please contact the curator.

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