In 1991, when unpacking a removal box, I came across the long-forgotten slide rule from my student days. I was intrigued - how long have slide rules been around? Soon after a bizarre tongue-in-cheek idea struck me:
“What else could an (ex)computer man collect but analogue slide rules!”
Slide rules come in all shapes and sizes but most are either:
They are hard wearing, do not break when dropped and unlike modern day calculators, they do not need batteries! Strictly speaking to be a slide rule it must have at least a pair of Log X scales. Most of the items in my collection fit this definition but various slide charts, the odd novel calculating aid and some hybrids have sneaked in!
For enthusiasts or fledgling collectors the excellent online Reference Manual by the Oughtred Society covers all the basics and much more. Or else try An Easy Introduction to the Slide Rule by Isaac Asimov (yes, the SF writer). If you are just looking for cleaning/restoration tips Eric Marcotte’s or Tom Dilatush’s webpages can help.
The niche part of my collection is ♫ acoustic ♫ ( yes, they exist!) and oversized desktop slide rules. Nowadays I also specialise in slide rules from Dutch makers ALRO and Systeem Matthijssen or any model with a quirky scale for a novel application - e.g. for Church bells. My collection has grown to 2000+ slide rules, 100+ slide charts, 40+ Ready Reckoners, 15+ slide or dial adders and 30-odd mechanical calculating machines/aids. To find specific items of possible interest try one of the adjacent search options.
Every month or so a new batch of items is added but because of the sheer volume it will take many months, if not years, before the entire collection is uploaded! So check regularly and look out for NEWS items on the HOME page announcing details of the latest batch that has gone up!
Maker | Model(s) |
---|---|
A.W. Faber-Castell | 8/13, 8/14, 8/15 & 51/88 |
Addiator GmbH | Octadat |
AHREND (Wed. J. Ahrend & Zoon) | 642T, 649, 651, 690, 696, 698, 699 & 701 |
ALRO (All-Round) | Beton, Cycloop, GoA, Ha, Piret, Nomographie, Van Leer & WeR4 |
AWF (Ausschuss fuer Wirtschaftliche Fertigung) | SR703, SR705-709, & SR754 |
Controller Calculator | 200 R |
DARGUE Bros. Ltd. / Simplon | Sub-Ivory SR-1 & SR-4 + Honduras SD10, WR-2A, WR-5 & WR-7 |
Fearns Calculators | Barber Shop Harmony Calculator |
Fowler | Nautical, Artillery, Kearns & Mackay |
Inglis | any FLASH RECKONER |
ITAB (Internationaler Tabellenverlag) | Multicalor Flachheizkorper & Styropor-Vollwarmeschutz |
IWA – F. Riehle GmbH & Co KG | 15489 Harmonik |
Johann Faber | 180/080, 180/082, 9203, 9204 & 9204 |
Keuffel & Esser (K&E) | 4081-3 Braille version |
KOSMOS | Book: "De Rekenliniaal" - 11th & 12th Editions |
L&C Hardtmuth / Classic | 10" Series III |
Lawrence Engineering Services | S-M (C.V. Ore) & Exposure (MIT) |
LOGA Calculator A.G. | TF, T150, T300, O2 Calculator, 30 TxC & 75 Terminator |
LOGAREX | 27705 |
Logomat Rechengeräte | 1300/1303 |
Nestler | RP 75, Kreisrechner & Disc-O-Lator |
S.R.&S.E. (Slide Rule & Scale Eng. Co.) | - any - |
Systeem Matthijssen | - any - |
Unique | Junior, Study 500/700/900 & J180/181/182 |
Tip: separate keywords (implict AND) by a space or a comma and if needed, limit the search by adding keywords proceeded by a hyphen: e.g.-Faber, -plastic. Phrases in quotes may also be used.
Note: given the number of items uploaded this page can take a minute or two to load.
Maker | Model | Type |
---|---|---|
A.W. Faber-Castell | 111/22 | Business |
A.W. Faber-Castell | 2/82 | Technical/Log-Log |
A.W. Faber-Castell | 2/83 | Technical/Log-Log long-scale |
A.W. Faber-Castell | 2/83N | Technical/Log-Log long-scale |
A.W. Faber-Castell | 378 | Electro |
A.W. Faber-Castell | 62/83 | Pocket Technical/Log-Log long-scale |
AHREND (Wed. J. Ahrend & Zoon) | ELECTRO 15 | Electro |
AHREND (Wed. J. Ahrend & Zoon) | HOLLANDIA-REKENSTOK | Enhanced Mannheim |
ALRO (All-Round) | 100 R (AC-1.04a) | Rietz - H |
ALRO (All-Round) | 100 R (AC-1.04b) | Rietz - early |
ALRO (All-Round) | 1010 Commercial (AC-1.18) | Business long-scale |
ALRO (All-Round) | 200 R (AC-1.05a) | Rietz - two-tone paper discs |
ALRO (All-Round) | 200 RL (AC-1.49a) | Rietz |
ALRO (All-Round) | 300 D (AC-1.08a) | Darmstadt |
ALRO (All-Round) | 600 E (AC-1.19) | Electro |
ALRO (All-Round) | 746 De Muiderkring (AC-1.nn) | Waistcoat Radio Electronics |
ALRO (All-Round) | BoB3 (AC-1.nn) | Reinforced Concrete - System Dussel |
ALRO (All-Round) | KLOOS (AC-1.30) | Steel Constructions |
ALRO (All-Round) | MILITAIRE REKENSCHIJF (AC-1.32) | Military Terrain Analysis |
ALRO (All-Round) | MILITARY CALCULATOR (AC-1.nn) | Military Terrain Analysis |
ALRO (All-Round) | PTT DECIBEL (AC-1.42) | Radio Electronics |
ALRO (All-Round) | PTT DECIBEL (AC-1.43) | Pocket Radio Electronics |
ALRO (All-Round) | ST 9-430/2 (AC-1.34a) | Military Artillery Range Finding (1 of 2) |
ALRO (All-Round) | ST 9-430/2 (AC-1.34b) | Military Artillery Range Finding (2 of 2) |
Blundell Brothers/Rules Ltd. (BRL) | 644944 / P5284 | Radiac Nuclear Fission Products poly-slide (2) |
Blundell Brothers/Rules Ltd. (BRL) | G.2 | Enhanced Mannheim without Trig scales |
Blundell Brothers/Rules Ltd. (BRL) | L.4 | Log-Log |
Dennert & Pape (D&P) | D 2/28 | Enhanced Mannheim - early |
Dennert & Pape (D&P) | S 6/28 (System Rietz) | Rietz |
ECOBRA (Bayerische Reisszeugfabrik) | 1461 | Pocket Rietz |
Graphoplex | 1614 | School Log-Log C.A.P. |
Graphoplex | 16oo | School Riez C.A.P. - early & all black |
Graphoplex | 620 d (ver. 1) | Rietz |
Graphoplex | 630 | Geometre Surveying Topography - 400g early |
Graphoplex | 640 | Electro Log-Log |
Heath & Co. | Hezzanith Le Patourel | Celestial Navigation/Mannheim |
Hemmi | 135 | Pocket Darmstadt |
Hemmi | 255D | Electro Hyperbolic |
Hemmi | 642T | Rietz |
Nestler | 0137 | Pocket Electro two-tone |
Nestler | 0210 | Darmstadt |
Nestler | 0370 | Electro |
Nestler | 11 | Pocket Enhanced Mannheim |
Nestler | 3 | Mannheim |
Nestler | 43 | Reinforced Concrete - System Hoffmann |
Nestler | 9 | Rietz |
Nestler | ABL | Military Vehicle Logistics & Supply |
NORMA-Mechanik | Mekuria 190 | Business |
William Langley | Carpenter Timber | Desktop Coggeshall |