In 1991, while unpacking a removal box, I came across the long-forgotten slide rule from my schooldays. I was intrigued by its history and soon a tongue-in-cheek idea was born: “What else could a 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 logarithmic scales. Most items in my collection fit this definition but the odd novel calculating aid and some hybrids have sneaked in!
For enthusiasts or fledgling collectors/users there is an excellent online Reference Manual by the Oughtred Society covering all the basics and much more. Alternatively try An Easy Introduction to the Slide Rule by Isaac Asimov (yes, the SF writer). For cleaning/restoration tips try Eric Marcotte’s or Tom Dilatush’s webpage.
My speciality is ♫ acoustic ♫ (they exist!) and oversized desktop slide rules. But I am also intrigued by any slide rule with a quirky or innovative scale and novel applications - 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 is added but because of the sheer volume involved it will take many months, if not years, before the entire collection is uploaded! So check out the relevant NEWS item on the HOME page to see what was in the latest batch!
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 |
Albert Martz | Cursor for pocket System Frank |
AWF (Ausschuss fuer Wirtschaftliche Fertigung) | SR703, SR705-709, & SR754 |
CONTROLLER | 200 R |
DARGUE Bros. Ltd. / Simplon | Sub-Ivory SR-1 & SR-4 + Honduras SD10, WR-2A, WR-5 & WR-7 |
Engineering Instruments Inc. | Either circular “vinylite” model |
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 | TF, T150, T300, O2, Terminator & Baumaan lighting |
LOGAREX | 27705 |
LOGOMAT | 1300/1303 |
Nestler | Cursor/runner for 24b (100cm), 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 now uploaded this page can take several minutes 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) | 200 R (AC-1.05a) | Rietz |
ALRO (All-Round) | 200 RL (AC-1.49) | Rietz |
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 | Navigational Mannheim |
Hemmi | 135 | Pocket Darmstadt |
Hemmi | 255D | Electro Hyperbolic |
Hemmi | 642T | Rietz |
Nestler | 0137 | Pocket Electro two-tone |
Nestler | 0210 | Darmstadt |
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 |