Slide Rule
1960 - 1975 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A slide rule is a analogue version of a calculator. By moving carefully marked strips up and down, the user can complete complex calculations quickly. Slide rules were first developed in the 1600s, based on new discoveries about logarithms, and remained in use until the 1970s, when they were generally replaced by electronic calculators.
Until this point, slide rules were a common sight in offices and schools, and decorative and specialist models were available. This particular example was produced for use by schoolchildren, and is suitably robust and simple to use.
It was made by British Thornton, a company established in the nineteenth century, but best known after the Second World War for their well-crafted slide rules, each one taking over a year to complete. In the 1960s, the company experimented with new materials and produced slide rules like this one in plastic.
Until this point, slide rules were a common sight in offices and schools, and decorative and specialist models were available. This particular example was produced for use by schoolchildren, and is suitably robust and simple to use.
It was made by British Thornton, a company established in the nineteenth century, but best known after the Second World War for their well-crafted slide rules, each one taking over a year to complete. In the 1960s, the company experimented with new materials and produced slide rules like this one in plastic.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Plastic, moulded. |
| Brief description | in plastic case, English, 1960s/70s, British Thornton |
| Physical description | Cream coloured slide rule with light brown ends, in black plastic case. There is a clear strip which moves up and down, and the central part of the rule moves laterally. The company name is printed on case. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mary Kempson |
| Object history | This slide rule belonged to the donor's son, Stephen (b. 1957), who attended Westminster City School (a grammar school), between 1968 and 1975. |
| Summary | A slide rule is a analogue version of a calculator. By moving carefully marked strips up and down, the user can complete complex calculations quickly. Slide rules were first developed in the 1600s, based on new discoveries about logarithms, and remained in use until the 1970s, when they were generally replaced by electronic calculators. Until this point, slide rules were a common sight in offices and schools, and decorative and specialist models were available. This particular example was produced for use by schoolchildren, and is suitably robust and simple to use. It was made by British Thornton, a company established in the nineteenth century, but best known after the Second World War for their well-crafted slide rules, each one taking over a year to complete. In the 1960s, the company experimented with new materials and produced slide rules like this one in plastic. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.179-1988 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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