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 or C/D scales. Most 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). But if you are just looking for cleaning/restoration tips Eric Marcotte’s or Tom Dilatush’s webpages can help.
My collection is made up of items from many makers but the niche parts are the ♫ acoustic ♫ (yes, they exist!) and the oversized desktop slide rules. Nowadays I have a special interest in models from the two only Dutch slide rule makers ALRO and Systeem Matthijssen alongside slide rules with a quirky or novel use - e.g. for ringing Church bells. The collection has grown to 2000+ slide rules, 200+ slide charts, 40+ Ready Reckoners, 15+ slide adders and 30+ mechanical calculators. Do try one of the adjacent search options to find items of interest.
Every month or so a batch of new items is added but because of the sheer volume it will be ages before the entire collection is uploaded! So check regularly for any NEWS item on the HOME page announcing 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 |
ALRO (All-Round) | 101, 10 RL, Beton, Cycloop, GoA, Ha.C/P/Q/V, Ha TEX, Piret, Philips Calendar, Nomographie, Van Leer, Vonderlingenplaat & 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 |