Joost Bürgi and Logarithms
Logarithms are a common idea today, even though we don’t use them as often as we used to. After all, one of the major uses of logarithms is to simplify …read more Continue reading Joost Bürgi and Logarithms
Category Archives: slide rule
Calculation Before We Went Digital
We have to like [Nicola Marras]. First, he wrote a great mini-book about analog computers. Then he translated it into English. Finally, he opened with a picture of Mr. Spock …read more Continue reading Calculation Before We Went Digital
Pocket Calculator isn’t a Brain or Magic
If you predate the pocket calculator, you may remember slide rules. But slide rules take a a little skill to use. There was a market for other devices that were …read more Continue reading Pocket Calculator isn’t a Brain or Magic
Laser-Engraving Hairlines: When a Line Isn’t a Line
When is a line not a line? When it’s a series of tiny dots, of course! That’s the technique [Ed Nisley] used to create a super-fine, colored hairline in a …read more Continue reading Laser-Engraving Hairlines: When a Line Isn’t a Line
Genaille’s Rods: When Paint Sticks Do Math
What is a hacker, if not somebody who comes up with solutions that other just don’t see? All the pieces may be in place, but it takes that one special …read more Continue reading Genaille’s Rods: When Paint Sticks Do Math
Rubber Band “Slide Rule” Doesn’t Slide, but Rotates
Around here we mostly enjoy slide rules. We even have our own collections including some cylindrical and circular ones. But [Mathologer] discusses a recent Reddit post that explains a circular …read more Continue reading Rubber Band “Slide Rule” Doesn’t Slide, but Rotates
Circuit VR: The Wheatstone Bridge Analog Computer
We are always impressed with something so simple can actually be so complex. For example, what would you think goes into an analog computer? Of course, a “real” analog computer …read more Continue reading Circuit VR: The Wheatstone Bridge Analog Computer
Design and Build Your Own Circular Slide Rule
You have to really like slide rules to build your own, including the necessary artwork. Apparently [Dylan Thinnes] is a big fan, based on this project he began working on …read more Continue reading Design and Build Your Own Circular Slide Rule
Homebrew Slide Rule Gets Back to Mathematical Basics
In the grand scheme of things, it really wasn’t all that long ago that a slide rule was part of an engineer’s every day equipment. Long before electronic calculators came along, a couple of sticks of wood inscribed with accurate scales was all it took to do everything from simple …read more
Continue reading Homebrew Slide Rule Gets Back to Mathematical Basics
Hands-On: Smarty Cat is Junior’s First Slide Rule
You may remember that I collect slide rules. If you don’t, it probably doesn’t surprise you. I have a large number of what I think of as normal slide rules. I also have the less common circular and cylindrical slide rules. But I recently picked up a real oddity that …read more
Continue reading Hands-On: Smarty Cat is Junior’s First Slide Rule