What’s Up in the Attic August 17, 2019
BACK TO THE FUTURE: 1955. A GREAT GIFT FOR SOMEONE WHO GRADUATED IN ENGINEERING PRIOR TO POCKET CALCULATORS (FIRST AVAILABLE IN EARLY 1970’s)?
This K&E Keuffel and Esser slide rule is a very rare find, what with its being in top condition, plus comes with an original manual, plus the leather carrying case which would fasten to a student’s belt, and even the classy green box it came in at the university store.
This particular model is a Dual Base Log Log Decitrig, which was the high end model suitable for a course in electrical engineering. A competitive model was made by Pickett.
This one pictured is available at the Angels Boutique in downtown Floyd VA for only $45. Check eBay for comparable instruments costing around $325.
Despite its age and obsolescence, many computations, even today, could be done faster than someone punching buttons on a scientific pocket calculator. Its accuracy was good enough to put a man on the moon. For example, it was good enough to calculate the center of gravity for mechanical parts that made up the Apollo space capsule – I saw it being done.
