This page contains slide rules that are very rare, hard to find or manufactured in the
1800's, earlier and later, but prior to WWII, using turn of the century materials and process. These may include
Boxwood, Ivory (Bone), Brass and in many instances were hand-divided by an artisan.
Thanks to the members of the UK Slide Rule Circle, the Dutch KRING and the Oughtred
Society for most of the scans provided in this gallery. Some images provided by major museums.
Many of these images in the ISRM galleries, also appear in the Oughtred Society's Rarities Gallery, which displays rare, not necessarily old, specimens in collections of active members's of the Oughtred Society. This gallery is being compiled by Ted Hume and Rod Lovette. |
In conjunction with the 'donors' the OS assigns a rarity rating to each item, based on the system devised by Herman van Herwijnen
(1929 - 2004), renowned Dutch collector, author, and creator of Herman's Catalogue. • RR = Rare - 1 of 25 collectors has one; it may take a year to find an example in the marketplace. • RRR = Very Rare - only a few known to collectors; may be several years before it comes up for sale. • RRRR = Extremely Rare - a museum piece; unlikely that an example will come up for sale. |
At the bottom of this gallery page is a BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE SLIDE RULE (1620-1909) from HISTORY OF THE LOGARITHMIC SLIDE RULE by Florian Cajori, School Of Engineering, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Col. 1909 |
Lord John Napier (latinized Nepero), Baron of Merchiston, Edinburgh, Scotland. Published the logarithm in 1614, after 20 years of developing the tables, which made it possible to perform multiplications and divisions by addition and subtraction and was the foundation for all future slide rule designs. Ex: a*b = 10^(log(a)+log(b)) and a/b = 10^(log(a)-log(b)). He created this calculating tool, which is easy to build out of square dowels. Napier's publication of his invention: Napier, John (1550-1617) Rabdologiae, 1617, Edinburgh as reprinted and annotated by From the Tomash Library on the History of Computing. See more at Wikipedia. | |
Replica of Napier's Bones Replika der Napierschen Rechenstaebchen 1998 Convatec |
Instructions - German (5.41MB PDF) This replica was commissioned by ConvaTec,a global medical products and technologies company. German slide rule collector, Dr., Klaus Kühn wrote and donated the instructions. |
This is the predecessor of the modern slide rule. created by Edmund Gunter.
In 1614 Scottish mathematician John Napier announced his discovery of logarithms. Within eight years, Edmund Gunter, an English clergyman who was interested in mathematics, had devised a scale on which logarithms could be multiplied and divided, by measuring the distance between two logarithmic numbers with a pair of dividers. Shortly thereafter, instrument makers were manufacturing wooden rules with standard (or "natural") scales typically used in navigation on one side and Gunter's logarithmic (or "artificial") scales on the other side.
This instrument, a precursor of the slide rule, became known as Gunter's scale. Since it was made of one piece of wood, the expansion and shrinking that happened at sea did not impede its operation. Thus, Gunter's scale remained popular with ship's navigators until the end of the 19th century, when new materials were available for the manufacture of slide rules. Surveyors, mechanics, craftsmen, and retailers also used Gunter's scales to make logarithmic and trigonometric calculations.A pair of dividers is used to
measure a distance (the multiplicand and the multiplier) along the rule and add
it to another distance, the multiplicand, forming the combined distance, the
product, on the rule. The accuracy of an answer is limited by the length of the
rule and the user's ability to resolve a number. Description is provided by the National Museum of American Histrory who has several specimens. |
Dr. Cecil Thomas Holmes (Dec 1896 - Jun 1988) A.B., A.M., Ph.D., Wing Professor of Mathematics Emeritus. -
. Professor Holmes graduated from Bates College in 1915 and then spent a year teaching in the Sangerville, Maine, High School and a year as instructor in rhetoric at Bates College before going to Harvard University, where he earned a master's degree and a doctorate, finishing in 1931. He taught mathematics at the Kentucky Military Institute and the New Haven, Connecticut, High School and served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army during World War I and then came to Bowdoin in 1925 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1931 and to full professor in 1937. In 1963 he was named Wing Professor of Mathematics. He served as chair of the Department of Mathematics from 1961 until his retirement in 1964 and was director of the College's Academic Year Institute. Continued on right | Merrifield & CO Gunter's Scale - Two-Foot - c1825 Made/Re-Branded in the United States by Merrifield & CO who. sold Gunter's scales in Boston and New York in the early 19th century. Front Scales: 24 inch, LBA, RUM, N*L,SIN CHO, TAN, S*T, decimal foot, 10 inch and 1 inch diagonal scales. Back Scales: S*R, T*R, NUM, STN, V*S, TAN, MED, E*P. Note: This is the most common Gunter Scale, used for navigation Carol H. Marand of Roanoke, Virginia.. Belonged to grandfather Dr. Cecil Thomas Holmes (Dec 1896- Jun 1988)
Cont'd Professor Holmes was the author of two widely used textbooks, Calculus and Analytical Geometry - 1950 and Trigonometry - 1951, and was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the American Mathematical Society. He was a member of Sigma Xi, an honorary scientific society, was a liaison officer of the Mathematical Association of America to the Maine Department of Education, and was a member of the Association of the Teachers of Mathematics in Maine. He also served as a member, and later as a fellow, of the Board of Overseers at Bates College. According to the 1965 Bugle (Bowdoin Yearbook). Professor Holmes has been a bit of a perfectionist, setting high standards for himself and expecting the same from his students." It also cited his "wry sense of humor" and called him "a true humanitarian. Biography of Holmes taken from the annual report of Bowdoin College, 1987-88 |
Belcher Brothers - Thomas Belcher, the son of the English rule maker, Zachariah Becher I, began making rules in New York in 1821 and was joined by his brother, William, in 1825. Around 1831, another brother, Charles, joined the firm, and the company's name was changed from T. & W. Belcher to Belcher Brothers. Around 1843, manufacturing of rules moved to New Jersey and the firm went by the name Belcher & Bros. Around 1853 some of the men's sons joined the firm, and the name was changed to Belcher Bros. & Co. This rule dates from that period 1853-1877. The company had become the largest American manufacturer of rules, but it was surpassed by Stanley in the second half of the 19th century. Belcher stopped manufacturing rules around 1877. | Belcher Bros Gunter's Scale - Two Foot - c1853 Made in the United States by Belcher Bros, & Co.. New York. Front Scales: RUM, CHO, SIN, TAN, S*T, SEC, RUM, M*L, CHO, 24 inch and decimal foot, 1/2 inch and 1 inch diagonal scales. Back Scales: S*R, T*R, NUM, SIN, V*S, TAN, MER, E*P. Note: This is the most common Gunter Scale, used for navigation Note: there are small brass pins with indents at the start of several common scales to rest the point of the calipers. This is used to prevent wear on the scale. Note: There is a small asterisk by the 12 inch line in the center of the lower view. These are maker's marks. Note: Differences in fonts between the specimens in this gallery, indicating different makers. |
Table of Trigonometry, from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, Volume 2 featuring a Gunter's scale | Gunter's Scale (unknown Maker) - Two Foot - Circa Early 1800's Made in UK - Made of Boxwood and distributed by Belcher Bros, & Co.. New York. Front Scales: RUM, CHO, SIN, TAN, S*T, SEC, RUM, M*L, CHO, 24 inch and decimal foot, 1/2 inch and 1 inch diagonal scales. Back Scales: S*R, T*R, NUM, SIN, V*S, TAN, MER, E*P. Note: This is the most common Gunter Scale, used for navigation Note: there are small brass pins with indents at the start of several common scales to rest the point of the calipers. This is used to prevent wear on the scale. Note: There are three stars by the 12 inch line in the center of the lower view. These are maker's marks. Note: Differences in fonts between the specimens in this gallery, indicating different makers. |
Gunter's Scale (unknown Maker) - Two Foot - Circa Early 1800's Made in UK - Made of Boxwood Front Scales: RUM, CHO, SIN, TAN, S*T, SEC, RUM, M*L, CHO, 24 inch and decimal foot, 1/2 inch and 1 inch diagonal scales. Back Scales: S*R, T*R, NUM, SIN, V*S, TAN, MER, E*P. Note: This is the most common Gunter Scale, used for navigation Note: There are no stars or asterisks by the 12 inch line in the center of the lower view. Note: Differences in fonts between the specimens in this gallery, indicating different makers. Archive - David M. Riches Collection (UK) |
Gunter's Scale - One Foot |
Gunter's Scale - One Foot - Circa Early 1800's Made in UK - Made of Boxwood Front Scales: (Left) RUM, CHO, SIN, TAN, S*T, (Center) SEC, (Right) S*R, T*R, NUM, SIN, V*S, TAN, MER, E*P, LEA, RUM, M*L, CHO. Back Scales: 12 inch and decimal foot, 1/2 inch and 1 inch diagonal scales. Note: The upper side has brass pins insert at the scale starts and some gauge points to protect the rule from the divider points at these frequently used places. Archive - David M. Riches Collection (UK) |
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Popularized the sector at the very end of the 16th Century. The sector is a graduated ruler that uses trigonometric formulae and a caliper to calculate squares, cubes, reciprocals and tangents of numbers. Galileo's design of the sector as a mathematical tool can be seen as the moment when calculation aids cease to be based upon counting and instead exploit the deeper relationships among numbers. His invention is still in use as a navigation aid in the 20th century 300 years later.(ref: Oughtred Society) Sectors were frequently included in sets of drawing instruments in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries until made obsolete by the slide rule. There are three types of scale on an English sector: sectoral ones (radiating from the hinge centre), which were used for calculation; plane scales (logarithms, sines, tangents) parallel to the edge; and rules (inches, tenths of feet). Most were six inches in length. A few images from David M. Riches website. Read this excellent paper on Edmund Gunter and the Sector written by C. J Sangwin, of the University of Birmingham, UK. |
Lerebours Brass Sector rotated straight |
Lerebours Brass Sector Made by Jean-Noël Lerebours (1761-1840) Paris, France about 1795-1805. The first of the great opticians who helped make the French optical industry competitive with the English between the late eighteenth century and the 1820s. Scales: For gunnery calculations: Parties line of equal parts, polygons, line of chords, metals, weights of shot and gun caliber. Lettering (hand carved into the brass): French language: Les Partíes Equales. Poligones, les Cordes, Métause, Boulets, plans, and Solides and symbols for different metals. Note: Unlike English sectors, which were used for general calculation, the French sectors were intended for gunnery calculations. The "Sector" was developed by Galileo & others in the late 1500s. Description: French sectors had scales for the different materials that projectiles were made of in the 17th/18th century period. Given the dimensions, shape and material density, the sector would help determine the angle of elevation of the gun barrel to required to reach a target of a certain distance. A pair of dividers were used to make the calculations along and across the two legs of the dividers. The description provided by Ed Chamberlain of Etna, New Hampshire, who acquired this specimen while in Holland, and made it possible for inclusion in the ISRM physical archives.
|
||||
Unsigned Brass Sector (c1730) |
Unsigned Brass Sector (c1730) Assumed to be made by George Adams (1707/09-1773) by George Adams. George Adams was a Sciemce writer and Mathmematics Instrument Maker to His Royal Highness, George Prince of Wales, London. Adams was best known for A Treatise Describing the Construction and Explaining the Use of New Celestial and Terrestrial Globes (London: 1766). This is a rare design using a thin blade to keep the arms aligned when closed. The only other Maker that used this technique was Thomas Heath. All others used pins. Sectors were used in calculations involving proportion. They are composed of two flat arms hinged together that can be adjusted to form any angle. Each arm is engraved with logarithmic and trigonometrical lines, which radiate from the centre of the hinge. Obtained from the Tom Wyman Collection #0176, Oughtred Society 2015IM
|
||||
Ivory Sector rotated straight to use as 12 inch scale |
W. Elliot Ivory Sector - Pre 1853 Made by W. Elliot, 268 High Holborn, London Note: sectors marked Elliot Bros was from 1854-1856, successors to Watkins & Hill in 1856. Typical nineteenth century sector, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants. Gift of Phillip Rodley, Upper Hutt, New Zealand Celluloid Protractor c1920 used with Sector in Navigation and calculations This was sent along with the above W. Elliot sector |
||||
Ivory Sector rotated straight to use as 12 inch scale |
WE&F Newton Ivory Sector - 1853-1858 Made by WE&F Newton, 3 Fleet ST, Temple Bar, London, England William, Edward & Fred NEWTON were makers of Globe makers, Mathematical Instruments Makers and Opticians from 1853 - 1858 (Courtesy of Peter Hopp) Typical nineteenth century sector, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants. Gift of Phillip Rodley, Upper Hutt, New Zealand Ivory Protractor c1880, used with Sector in Navigation and calculations |
||||
Ivory Sector rotated straight to use as 12 inch scale |
Ivory Sector No Maker's marks Typical nineteenth century sector, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants. Gift of Phillip Rodley, Upper Hutt, New Zealand Ivory Sector Single 'star' identification mark |
||||
Ivory Sector rotated straight to use as 12 inch scale |
Ivory Sector Assumed to be made in UK by W&S Jones, No 135 Holburn, London, England Typical nineteenth century sector, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants.
Identical to the W&S Jones, David Riches Collection, shown below, but without manufacturer's identical and model markings. |
||||
Boxwood Sector rotated straight to use as 12 inch scale |
Boxwood Sector Assumed to be made in UK. Typical nineteenth century sector, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants. This one, with the protractor was acquired from England.
|
||||
W&S Jones Sector |
W&S Jones Sector Made in UK by W&S Jones, No 135 Holburn, London, England Ivory sector. William & Samuel Jones were at this address from 1792 to 1800. This is very typical of nineteenth century sectors, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants. Archive - Image and comments donated by David M. Riches |
||||
French Sector |
French Sector Made in France. A brass sector dating from the eighteenth century with scales for line of equal parts, polygons, line of chords, metals, weights of shot and gun calibre. Unlike English sectors, which were used for general calculation, the French ones were generally intended for gunnery calculations. Archive - Image and comments donated by David M. Riches |
||||
4-1/2 Inch Basswood Sector |
4-1/2 Inch Basswood Sector Made in UK dated from the nineteenth century. Sectors were made in various sizes, but most commonly by far in the six inch size. The smaller, 4 1/2 inch ones would have been made to go with small size instruments, probably a pocket set. The scales are the usual English ones. Archive - Image and comments donated by David M. Riches |
||||
Elliot Brothers Ivory Sector |
Elliot Brothers Ivory Sector Made in UK by Elliott Bros, Strand, London dating from between 1854 and 1880. This is very typical of nineteenth century sectors, having scales for inches, decimal feet, lines of sines, tangents, equal parts, chords, numbers (log scales for multiplication), polygons, secants. It is a six inch size example. Archive - Image donated by David M. Riches |
The first widely used standard form for a logarithmic slide rule is the two-foot, two-fold design devised by Henry Coggeshall around 1677. This was made in many variants by numerous makers, and is relatively easy to come by even today. Folding joint rules were in common use in the 1800's by capenters and other artisans. The addition of a sliding brass slide with logarithmic, or 'Gunter' scales to one leg of the joint rule added a calculation feature not found on the other similar looking devices. The back of the brass slide was divided into inches which allowed the user to use that part of the rule as a depth gage. When unfolded 180 degrees the rule became 24 inches long, not counting the slide length. Joint rules that are all linear, not having any logarithmic scales, are not included in the ISRM galleries. |
Carpenters Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide - Unfolded ISRM 12.01.01.01 |
Carpenters Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide - Folded |
Carpenters Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide Made of boxwood with brass joint and Gunter's slide, c1890. Front Scale (Top Leg): 12" decimal scale 1/16th increments || A (1-10-100) [ B (1-10-100) C ] D (4-10-40), Girt Line Front Scale (Lower Leg): 1/2:1 Architectural scale. 1/4:1 Architectural Scale, 12" scale 1/16th increments Back Scale (Top Leg):Fractional Measuring Scale 12 - 24 inches. Back Scale (Lower Leg):Fractional Measuring Scale 1 - 12 inches. Back Slide: :Fractional Measuring Scale 1 - 12 inches. Markings: Warranted Best - Box, RD NO 28060, Improved Joint Note 1: the D scale from 4 to 40 is based on the Coggeshall design. Note 2: The Girt line below the slide, is used in calculating the volume of timber ('girt' is a quarter of the circumference of a round log). Note 3: The Gunter's scale is in the format defined by Coggeshall in the 1600's |
Stanley No 15 Engineers Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide - Folded ISRM 13.00.00.84 |
Stanley No 15 Engineers Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide Made of boxwood with brass joint and Gunter's slide, c1890. Front Scale (Top Leg): 12" decimal scale 1/16th increments || A (1-10-100) [ B (1-10-100) C ] D (4-10-40), Girt Line Front Scale (Lower Leg): 1/2:1 Architectural scale. 1/4:1 Architectural Scale, 12" scale 1/16th increments Back Scale (Top Leg):Fractional Measuring Scale 12 - 24 inches. Back Scale (Lower Leg):Fractional Measuring Scale 1 - 12 inches. Back Slide: :Fractional Measuring Scale 1 - 12 inches. Markings: Warranted Box wood Note 1: the D scale from 4 to 40 is based on the Coggeshall design. Note 2: The Girt line below the slide, is used in calculating the volume of timber ('girt' is a quarter of the circumference of a round log). Note 3: The Gunter's scale is in the format defined by Coggeshall in the 1600's |
Henry & Co. Engineers Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide - Folded ISRM 15.02.23.02 |
Henry & Co. Engineers Joint Rule with Gunter's scale on Slide Made of boxwood with brass joint and Gunter's slide, c1890. Front Scale (Top Leg): 12" decimal scale 1/16th increments || A (1-10-100) [ B (1-10-100) C ] D (4-10-40), Girt Line Front Scale (Lower Leg): 1/2:1 Architectural scale. 1/4:1 Architectural Scale, 12" scale 1/16th increments Back Scale (Top Leg):Fractional Measuring Scale 12 - 24 inches. Back Scale (Lower Leg):Fractional Measuring Scale 1 - 12 inches. Back Slide: :Fractional Measuring Scale 1 - 12 inches. Markings: Warranted Box wood Note 1: the D scale from 4 to 40 is based on the Coggeshall design. Note 2: The Girt line below the slide, is used in calculating the volume of timber ('girt' is a quarter of the circumference of a round log). Note 3: The Gunter's scale is in the format defined by Coggeshall in the 1600's |
Issac Aston 4-Sided_Box Rule REF |
Issac Aston 4-Sided_Box Rule Made in UK by I. Aston Maker, 25 Old Compton Street, Soho, London c1860 Everard type made of boxwood Side A: ? [ B ] D, on slide: { formula for cask volumes ] Side B: SegST [ C ] SyS Side C: A [ C ] D Side D: Seg Ly [ B ] Sy, on slide: [ ?, Sp D, Variety] Archive - Tom Dilatush Collection |
Issac Aston Coggeshall REF |
Issac Aston Coggeshall Carpenter's slide rule by Isaac Aston, London (working 1851-70), made of boxwood and brass with steel end caps. Isaac Aston (25 Old Compton Street, Soho, London) was succeeded by Aston & Mander. A two foot two-fold rule. Archive - Tom Dilatush Collection |
Aston & mander Makers - Harrow Mark Reducer ISRM 13.03.27.01 |
Slide rule, Harrow Mark Reducer, single-sided, open frame, wood / brass, straps, made by Aston & Mander, Soho, England, 1875 through 1925
According to Christopher Tyerman: A History of Harrow School, Oxford University Press, 2000. p.312. this slide rule was invented, c.1875, by Rev. William Done Bushell (1838-1917) of the Harrow School, as a special purpose slide rule to assist in the adding up of the weighted marks for school examinations. Rev. William Done Bushell who for fifty years was an assistant master and Honorary chaplain at Harrow School, was also lord of the manor of Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire. His son was Warin Foster Bushell (1885-1974).
Dimensions: The stock is 24 inches long, 1-78 inches wide, and 3/16 inch thick. The slide is 36 inches long and 5/8 inches wide. |
Aston & mander Makers - Charles Hoare Steel Weight Slide Rule c1875 ISRM 21.09.18.01 |
Designed by Charles E. Houre. single-sided, open frame, wood / brass, straps, made by Aston & Mander, Soho, England, 1875 through 1925
Front Scale: WEIGHT, CWTS, Quarters [ 100ths, 20ths, 40ths, WIDTH, Feet Wide, Inches Area Inch THICK ] LENGTH, Inches,Feet long |
Aston & Mander Makers - Carter's Rivet Pitch Calculator REF |
Aston And Mander Makers - Carter's Rivet Pitch Calculator Made in UK, London Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Aston And Mander Makers- Dixon Style Slide Rule REF |
Aston And Mander Makers - Dixon Style Slide Rule Made in UK, 25 Compton ST, London Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Aston And Mander Makers - C. Hoare Slide Rule REF |
Aston And Mander Makers - C. Hoare Slide Rule Made in UK, 25 Compton ST, London Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Aston And Mander Makers - Ship Tonnage Calculator REF |
Aston And Mander Makers - Ship Tonnage Calculator Made in UK, for G.L. Watson Co. Naval Architects and Surveyors 141 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Aston And Mander Makers - 1915 Artillery REF |
Aston And Mander Makers - - 1915 Artillery Made in UK, London Front Scale: Yards [ Minutes of Angle or Battery Range ] Back scale: Yards [ Minutes of Angle ] Archive - Scan donated by Clay Castleberry, California. |
Aston And Mander Makers - Timber & Brick Pricing Rule REF |
Aston And Mander Makers - Timber and Brick Pricing Rule Made in UK, 25 Compton ST, London Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
T.C. Ballardie - Merchant Vessel Speed And Power Scale REF |
T.C. Ballardie - Merchant Vessel Speed And Power Scale Made in UK, by F. Robson &Co., 46 Dean Street, Newcastle on Tyne Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Buss Maker No.1 Ivory 2-Slide Proof Rule ISRM 17.06.17.01 |
Buss Maker No.1 Ivory 2-Slide Proof Rule (late 1800's) Made in UK by Buss Maker 48 Hatton Garden, London, UK Marked "Stuart Woodhouse Gauger No.1". Made of Ivory (or bone) Note on scales: Because the four slides are interchangebale in the well on every side (no keys), over time, the slides have probably moved around from their original design position. Gifted to ISRM by Phillip Rodley of Upperhut, New Zealand |
Cook No.2078, 4-Sided Excise Box Rule, Soho ISRM 14.05.25.01 |
Cook No.2078, 4-Sided Excise Box Rule, Soho Made in UK by Cook, Maker to the Hon Board of Excise - Late Wellington Crown Court, Soho, Sonbon, c1860 Everard type made of boxwood Note on scales: Because the four slides are interchangebale in the well on every side (no keys), over time, the slides have probably moved around from their original design position. Side 1: A [ C ] D, on back of slide: [ 12in(L), Sp D, Variety] Side 2: SegST [ B ] SyS Side 3: ? [ C ] D Side 4: Seg Ly [ B ] Sy, Back of slide: Blank Gifted to ISRM by Phillip Rodley of Upperhut, New Zealand |
Bousfields "Vade Mecum Slide Rule" (c1890) ISRM 13.04.26.01 |
Bousfields "Vade Mecum Slide Rule" Designed Expressly for the timber Trade by George Bousfield (1856-1902) (Rawdon, Leeds), Grimsby. Patent 12806. Adaptable to the Stone, Brick, Irone, Slate, Glass, and other trades. Made in England. Patented 9th August 1887. #12806 Note: "Vade Mecum" is latin for "Goes with me", in other words he was marketing a very portable calculator in the 1890's. Front Scale: 2/16in scale || A [ B, 12-24in, C ] D || 0-12in Back scale: E, F [ G, G, H(OPS)(PTS), I ] J, K Gifted to ISRM by Phillip Rodley of Upperhut, New Zealand The picture below shows George Bousfield in 1887 using his slide rule Instructions (7.82MB PDF) |
John Dring and William Fage established their company at various addresses in London England, and flourished from 1790 - 1940. They were makers of mathematical, nautical,
philosophical and excise instruments and produced a wide range of instruments that may be seen in many museums. In 1850 the company while retaining the name
Dring & Fage was now run by Edward Hall and Edward Jenkin who were appointed Hydrometer and Saccharometer Makers to the Board of Inland Revenue. Notes: Traded at 4 Albion Place (1790), 21 Gracechurch St. (1790-2), 6 Tooley St. (1792-6), 248 Tooley St. (1796-1804), 8 Crooked Lane (1801), 20 Tooley St. (1804-44), 109 Upper East Smithfield (1804), 10 Duke St., Tooley St. (1843-4), 19&20 Tooley St. (1845-82), 145 Strand (1883-1902) & 56 Stamford St. (1903-38), all London, England. Original partnership between John Dring & Willam Fage, Succeeded by Dring & Fage Ltd. (1940-1960s) info courtesy of collections on line N.M.S.I., UK For an explantion on the math of proof rules, visit Mike Syphers page: Gauging and Excise Tax Slide Rules |
Gifted by Phillip Rodley, Upperhutt New Zealand
|
Dring And Fage - 4 Foot Gauging "Head Rod" Slide Rule (1903-1938) Made by Dring & Fage Makers, 56 Stamford St., London,Sulley. Date based on address. Note: Made of boxwood and bronze Front Scale: A(10-100-1000) [ B(10-100-1000), C(10-100), D(10-100) Back scale: 16-300 [ 14-65, 12-1 inch, 45-76 ] 45-1 inch Read: Gauging: the art behind the slide rule by Tom Martin which describes The gauger's tools., A booklet produced by Joseph Long, the slide rule and instrument manufacturer, in 1895 - Description and Use of the Sliding Rule ... also directions for Cask and Malt Gauging etc- is contemporary with the photograph of dock gaugers (Fig. 2) and again, has a specific section 'The method of Gauging by Callipers, as Practiced at the Port of London, etc.' Long's booklet states - The instruments requisite for this purpose are - 1. A pair of callipers, for taking the length of the cask (A in photo). 2. A pair of cross callipers for taking the diameter at the bung, externally (B in photo). 3. A bung rod for taking the diameter internally (C in photo). 4. A head rod for taking the diameters of each head and computing the contents and ullages (D in photo). Other elements in the photo include: E. Tin velincher or sample thief for sampling cask contents. F. Sample jar, probably for taking liquid strength by hydrometer. G. Wicker basket containing sealed samples for analysis or reference. H. Chalked gauger's measurements on head of cask for calculating contents. I. Cask bungs wrapped in hessian a) to give watertight seal, b) for ease of removal. |
Dring And Fage - 2 Foot Timber Rule (1862) Made by Dring & Fage Makers, 56 Stamford St., London,Sulley. Date based on address. Note: Made of boxwood and bronze Front Scale: Inverted Scale CI(10-100-1000) [ C(10-100)] D(10-100) Back: Blank Obtained from IM2020, part of Bob Otnes Collection |
Dring And Fage - Excise Officers Rule (c1868) ISRM 11.12.12.01
Note: This is one of the oldest physical slide rules at ISRM. |
Dring And Fage - Excise Officers Rule Made in UK, Tooley Street, London - Made of Boxwood. 9-1/2" x 2" x 1/4" thick Front Scale: A [ C, C ] SL, 2nd V, 1st V, A [ C, C ] MD (Malt Depth) Back scale: D1 (1-3.2) [ B, B] D2 (3.2-10), H3 V, Y2 V A [ B, B ] SS. SL (Segment Lying), SS (Segment Standing), MD (Malt Depth). Top edge Scale: L (1 in long divisions 0 - 9.5), Sphd (Speroid, Linear 0 - 6.5), Variety (Linear 1 - 6.1) Bottom Edge Scale: log (1-10), log 1.6 - 16). Note 1: Scale. D1 and D2 are the two halves of an 18 inch long log scale Note 2: Gauge marks are identified by brass pins pressed into the wood stock Note 3: MB (Malt Bushel) gauge mark at 2219 denotes a post-1824 rule. Note 4: Embossed with the symbol of Inland Revenue, which occured after 1849 Note 5: It must be earlier than 1880 as it has the malt depth scale and they moved from Tooley street to The Strand in 1883. Note 6: For another example see Ron Manley's collection. Note: 7: For more information on Gauging see Ron Manley's web page on gauging. |
Dring And Fage - Brewers Slide Rule REF |
Dring And Fage - Brewers Slide Rule Made in UK. Boxwood and Brass Rule 1: Front Scale: 5 scales [ B, A ] 5 scales Back scale: Unkown Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Dring And Fage - Brewers Slide Rule Set REF |
Dring And Fage - Brewers Proof Slide Rule Set (Ivory) These rules would have come from a Sikes Hydrometer case and are a Proof rule and a Comparative rule. Made in UK. Ivory and tinned Brass Rule 1: Front Scale: C 260-70 [ 60-0-70 ] C 78-19 Back scale: A 2.5-9 [ 60-0-70 ] A 9-33 Rule 2: Front Scale: Under proof 52-0-32 [ Indicaton 84-35, 46-0 ] Over proof 18-6.8, Scale of Temperature 80-30 Back scale: Under proof 10-8 [ Indicaton 100-92, 94.5-70 ] Under proof 8.6-28 |
Farmar's Standard Spirit Gauging Rule c1902-1906 ISRM 21.01.09.01.X
|
Farmar's Standard Spirit Gauging Rule (Desk Size) ISRM 19.10.26.01 (Note: tag is 19.10.27.01) |
Farrow & Jackson Proof Rule - c1885 ISRM 21.02.16.01.X
|
Froude's Slide Rule REF
|
Gravet Lenoir REF |
Gravet Lenoir - c1900 Made in France - 14 Rue Cassette, Paris Front Scale 25cm // A [ B, B ] D || 25cm Back Scale (Slide): [S, T, L ] Well: 25-52cm Archive - Clay Castleberry Collection |
Hannyngton (Astronomical) Slide_Rule REF |
Hall & Hawkes (Ivory) Proof Spirit Slide_Rule REF |
Hall & Hawkes (Ivory) Proof Slide Rule Made in England for Brewers Front Scale: C 150-40 [ 60-0-70 ] C 70-20 Back scale: A 4.5-18 [ 60-0-70 ] A 9.3-36 Archive - Ricardo Freyre Collection |
J.W. Jackson's 1933 M.E. Class Project Homemade Sizing Slide Rule ISRM 24.05.05.41 |
J.W. Jackson's 1933 M.E. Class Project Homemade Sizing Slide Rule Made in USA Front Scale: Diameter of Pipe in inches [ f (Coefficient, h (Head of water in feet) ] [ L (Length in feet ] Q (Dischargein Cu.ft./sec) Back scale: Instructions Gift of Don Robinson, Friend of Jon Monsen Collection |
Jackson Bros. was founded by Thomas Jackson in 1892. Jackson was an instructor in mechanical and civil engineering at Yorkshire College, which is now Leeds University. He was also the author of the short book, “Slide Rules And How to Use Them”. He remained the chairman of Jackson Bros. until his death in 1945 at the age of 82. Jackson Bros. were known mostly for drawing instruments and, to a lesser extent, slide rules. They made, or imported and put their name on, both boxwood slide rules with brass chisel cursors as designed in 1851 by Amedee Mannheim , and celluloid-faced slide rules with aluminum-framed celluloid cursors. References: Powerhouse Museum and Bob Otnes, The Oughtred Society. |
Jackson Brothers (RR Track) Mannheim Slide Rule REF |
Jackson Brothers (RR Track) Mannheim Slide Rule 1875-1899 Made in France with chisel cursor designed in 1851 by Amedee Mannheim Front Scale: 10in // A [ B, C ] D Back scale: Unknown Archive - Powrhouse Museum Collection, Australia |
Jackson Brothers Limited Mannheim Slide Rule ISRM 24.07.04.68 |
Jackson Brothers Limited Mannheim Slide Rule 1880 Made in France with chisel cursor designed in 1851 by Amedee Mannheim Note: "Jackson Brothers Limited Armely Leeds" on back Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D Back scale: Blank Gift of Tom Dilatush Collection |
Jackson Brothers "Engine Divided" Mannheim Slide Rule ISRM 24.07.04.02 |
Jackson Brothers "Engine Divided" Mannheim Slide Rule 1892 to 1910 Made in France with chisel cursor designed in 1851 by Amedee Mannheim Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D Back scale: Blank Gift of Tom Dilatush Collection eBay Reference showing sleeve and manual |
Loftus - Brewers Slide Rule REF |
Loftus - Brewers Slide Rule Made in UK, London Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
C. Mander Sliding Gauge Rule REF |
C. Mander Sliding Gauge Rule Made in UK, London Front Scale: TBD Back scale: TBD Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
An early early version of the first circular slide rule published in America (first issued in 1843).
Palmer and the engraver George Smith began working on their design for an "endless computing scale"
in early 1841. It was copyrighted in Boston in late 1843, and versions of the device continued to
be produced until at least 1852. Palmer's slide rule enjoyed only a limited success, largely because
of poor marketing and the American public's fear that use of the device "[would] tend to weaken
the mind, by causing it to rely upon mere mechanism to make its numbered computations"
(Fuller, Key to Fuller's Computing Telegraph [1846], quoted in Feazel 1994, 15). Palmer also
published A key to the endless self-computing scale, showing its application to the different
rules of arithmetic (Rochester: P.S. Stoddard, 1842). Ref:Origins of Cyberspace 353.
Note: The early version of this rule was "patented" in 1843. According to Cajori (History of the Logarithmic Slide rule) the copyright was transferred to Fuller in1846
who introduced a version with a different scale arrangement by the addition of non-logarithmic circles for determining the number of days between given dates.
Fuller called this new part a Time Telegraph and the modified instrument as a whole a Computing Telegraph. While carpenter's rules for calculation were
made in U.S.A. before the date of this rule, this remains one of the earliest slide rules produced in the united States. Read Palmer's Computing Scale - Revisited by Bobby Feazel, OS Journal V4.1 |
Palmers Computing Scale - 11 Inch Square REF |
Palmers Computing Scale - 11 Inch Square Made in Boston, United States - circa 1835 Front Scales: Palmers Computing Scale Back: Instructions Notes: Made of cardboard, 8-1/2 inch diameter circular scale, on an 11 inch square base. Engraved by George G. Smith, 186 Washington, Boston, Massachusettes. Archive - Photo from 2009 Philip Weiss Auction |
Palmer's Computing Scale and Fuller's Time Telegraph Version 1 REF |
Fuller's Time Telegraph And Palmer's Computing Scale Version 1 Made in Boston, United States - c1845 Front Scales: Palmer's Computing Scale Back Scales: Fuller's Time Telegraph Notes: Made of cardboard, 8-1/2 inch diameter circular scale, on an 11 inch square base. This version had a leather rim around it. Engraved by George G. Smith, 186 Washington, Boston, Massachusettes. Archive Clay Castelberry Collection Collection |
Palmer's Computing Scale and Fuller's Time Telegraph Version 2 ISRM 24.07.04.39 Larger image - Front Larger image - Back |
Fuller's Time Telegraph And Palmer's Computing Scale Version 2 Made in Boston, United States - c1845 Front Scales: Palmer's Computing Scale Back Scales: Fuller's Time Telegraph Notes: Made of cardboard, 8-1/2 inch diameter circular scale, on an 11 inch square base. This version has no leather trim and different printed scrolling. Engraved by George G. Smith, 186 Washington, Boston, Massachusettes. Tom Dilatush Collection |
Palmers Pocket (endless) Scale REF |
Palmers Pocket (endless) Scale Made in Boston, United States - 1845 Front Scales: Palmers Computing Scale Notes: Made of cardboard, 80mm diameter. 143 x 91 mm. Engraved volvelle on heavy card mounted on rear pastedown of book "Palmer's Pocket Scale with Rules for its use in Solving Arithmetical and Geometrical Problems", Rochester, NY. Published by Aaron Palmer, Canfield and Warren Printers, 1845. Engraved by George G. Smith, 186 Washington, Boston, Massachusettes. Archive - Photos by Clay Castleberry, California |
Rabone Joint (Carpenter's) Rule |
Rabone Joint (Carpenter's) Rule Made by John Rabone & Sons, Birmingham, England. Late 19th century It is a 2 foot, 2 fold example.The scales are few - only the 2-foot linear rule on the back and Coggeshall scales on the front: Three two-cycle logarithmic scales running from 1 to 100 above and on the slide, and a 4 - 40 "Girt line" below the slide, for calculating the volume of timber. Archive - Image donated by Nathan Zeldes |
REF W. Ransley Slide Rule REF |
W. Ransley Slide Rule Made by W. Ransley Maker, Stangate, London, England circa 19th century It is a 2 foot, 3 fold example.The scales are few - only the 2-foot linear rule on the back and Coggeshall scales on the front: Three two-cycle logarithmic scales running from 1 to 100 above and on the slide, and a 4 - 40 "Girt line" below the slide, for calculating the volume of timber. Archive - Image donated by Nathan Zeldes |
Edward Roberts was a British maker that produced gauger's rules from 1749-84 and his son Edward Roberts, Jr. continued the practice from 1788-96. Both father and son worked out of Dove Court, Old Jewry, London. |
Edward Roberts - Everard Type Gaugers 4-sided Rule ISRM 13.02.20.11.X |
Edward Roberts - Everard Type Gaugers Rule Made in UK, London - c1749-1784 Scales: Wine and Ale Gallon Marks Notes: The rare Roberts, London - Everard 4-sided type rule, with additional scales and tables on the back of each slide, has wine and ale gallon marks so is certainly pre 1824 and most likely second half eighteenth century as Roberts would either have been Edward Roberts (1) working 1749-84 or his son Edward Roberts, Jr. (2) working 1788-96, both at Dove Court, Old Jewry, London. In this artifact, there is no 'Jr. after the name, so it assumed it was made by the father. Ref. G C Clifton's Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers p234. (per David M. Riches) |
Roberts - Everard Type Gaugers Rule REF |
Roberts - Everard Type Gaugers Rule Made in UK, London - Pre 1824 Scales: Wine and Ale Gallon Marks Notes: The rather nice Roberts, London - Everard type rule has wine and ale gallon marks so is certainly pre 1824 and most likely second half eighteenth century as Roberts would either have been Edward Roberts (1) working 1749-84 or his son Edward Roberts (2) working 1788-96, both at Dove Court, Old Jewry, London. Ref. G C Clifton's Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers p234. (per David M. Riches) Archive - UK Slide Rule Circle |
Sanders & Son was listed in an 1885 Directory of Chemists as a Hygrometer Maker. Dring & Fage was also a few listings above. When this gauging proof rule was made, Sanders had another son, i.e. Sanders & Sons, so the date would probably be around 1890. This is a one-o-a-kind specimen. |
|
||
|
Forrest Milton Towl - (1864-1946) Forrest M. Towl (fl.1886-1934) graduated from Cornell University in 1886 and in 1911 was a consulting engineer for the Standard Oil Company (later to be called Exxon and Esso). In 1909 he was a member of the Shelter Island Yacht Club, New York, one of the oldest in America. He was Director of the Cumberland Pipe Line Company (1917), President of the Southern Pipe Line Company (1921) and was still writing on oil industry matters in 1934.
Designed and copyrighted (1889 & 1910) a Pipe Line Flow slide rule which was used in calculations involving the pumping of natural gas and oil. A 1910 version was used in the transportation of Air and Gas. At this period, oil was mainly used for lighting, since the motorcar, which was invented in 1885 by Karl Benz (1844-1929), was not commercially available until 1888. See the Forrest Milton Towl biography page and his entry in the ISRM Who's Who Gallery.
|
Forrest M. Towl Oil Pipe line Flow 42 Inch Slide Rule (c1889) ISRM 15.05.13.03 |
Forrest M. Towl Pipe line Flow 42" Slide Rule Designed Expressly for the Oil Pipeline industry by Forrest M. Towl, C.E. Copyright 1889 Made in U.S.A. by Kirby Bros., N.Y. Front Scale: Capacity barrels(Gallons)per Day (24 Hours)hr [ Length in Miles, Dia of Pipe (Inches), Coefficient of Friction ] Pressure and Head Back:Blank Original Owner: Forrest Milton Towl, designer of the slide rule. This was 3 of 3 belonging to the Towl family. Gift of Theodore Towl of Pentwater, Michigan, grandson of Forrest M. Towl.
Manual by Forrest M. Towl
Special Slide Rule For Natural Gas and Air Computations |
Forrest M. Towl Oil Pipe line Flow 16 Inch Slide Rule (c1889) ISRM 15.05.13.01 |
Forrest M. Towl Oil Pipe line Flow 16" Slide Rule Designed Expressly for the Oil Pipeline industry by Forrest M. Towl, C.E. Copyright 1889 Made in U.S.A. by Kirby Bros., N.Y. Front Scale: Capacity barrels(Gallons)per Day (24 Hours)hr [ Length in Miles, Dia of Pipe (Inches), Coefficient of Friction ] Pressure and Head Back:Blank Original Owner: Forrest Milton Towl, designer of the slide rule. This was 1 of 3 belonging to the Towl family. Gift of Theodore Towl of Pentwater, Michigan, grandson of Forrest M. Towl. |
Forrest M. Towl Natural Gas and Oil Pipe line Flow 16 Inch Slide Rule (c1889) ISRM 15.05.13.02 |
Forrest M. Towl Natural Gas and Pipe Line Flow 16" Slide Rule Designed Expressly for the Oil Pipeline industry by Forrest M. Towl, C.E. Copyright 1889 Made in U.S.A. by Kirby Bros., N.Y. Front Scale: Capacity barrels(Gallons)per Day (24 Hours)hr [ Length in Miles, Dia of Pipe (Inches), Coefficient of Friction ] Pressure and Head Back:Blank Original Owner: Forrest Milton Towl, designer of the slide rule. This was 2 of 3 belonging to the Towl family. Gift of Theodore Towl of Pentwater, Michigan, grandson of Forrest M. Towl. |
Forrest M. Towl Air and Gas Pipe Line Flow Slide Rule (c1910) REF Left: Mineral Industry, 1920, Page 472 Right: Handbook of Petroleum Industry, 1922, page 403 |
Forrest M. Towl Air and Gas Pipe Line Flow Slide Rule Designed Expressly for the Oil Pipeline industry by Forrest M. Towl, C.E. 1910 Made in U.S.A. Front Scale: Capacity/hr [ AIE, SAE, Dia of Pipe (Inches), Length(Miles), Cd, Sum of Delivery Pressures ] Difference of Delivery Pressures Back scale: [ Length of Stroke, Explosions/min, H.P., Ratio of Compression ]
Archive - Scan by Rick Mandrell,
Note: The F.M. Towl slide rule design and layout was used as the basis for the Dow Chemical Model 1060 Slide Rules made by Pickett. This is one that was in Thomas mandrell's collection. |
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE SLIDE RULE (1620-1909) from
|
Copyright © 2003- International Slide Rule Museum
|