Jay's Slide Rules
I'm not sure why it took me so long to get it? As a math teacher, you'd think that math-related gizmos would resonate with my inner being, but it wasn't until recently that I stumbled across a collection of slide rules at an estate sale...and I knew that I had to have them.
To say this started the dive down a deep rabbit hole is an understatement. Once I learned how to use them, coupled with their virtues educationally that I feel are missing in the calculator-age, further combined with the ease of finding them...my collection started going exponentially...pun intended. What follows is documentation; a written and picture record of my collection. But more than that, it'll be a place where I can explore the slide rule universe and contribute something back to it... |
Sidebar: Slide Rule HistoryYou made it to the Orion Telescopes website and you are confronted with some options. Lots of them. You are confused!
But for now, you should know that a scope can come mounted in three different ways, represented below. 
Such scopes will typically be purchased with all you need to work it. But if we play, "which one is NOT like the other," then you'll certainly pick the one in the middle. This is the Dobsonian mounted scope. But in this case, you lose the game. |
Slide Rule Basics
Types of Slide Rules
There are three ways to categorize slide rules. By maker, function, and by shape.
The portfolio below shows the major makers of slide rules by which my catalog will be organized. A full-page will be devoted to each maker, whereas the "Miscellaneous" category will be of slide rules of which I have very few OR a merely makers that I know too little about to devote the time and energy to a full page.
Within each maker page, the rules will the be organized by their function, which is typically for "general-purpose" math or for a "specialty" use. General-purpose rules are those that let you do math, and they range up in capability depending on their complexity and number of scales. The same could also be said about specialty rules; however, their focus is on a general task, such as electronics, chemistry, military, and any number of strange and delightful purposes. The specialty rules (at least those of my focus) usually allow the user to do most math computations, coupled with a scale or three added added utility in its intended discipline.
Finally, one categorized by function, the slide rules will be listed by shape. The popular shapes of slide rules are typically linear (like a ruler), circular (like a [ahem] circle), and cylindrical/spiral. The latter type of rules will NOT be the focus here, mostly because of their prohibitive costs, especially today, though if I acquire one I'll probably just post it right here on the main page. So for the most part, each of the maker pages will present the slide rules by their shapes; which, for ease, will be the linear varieties including pocket rules, full-size rules, and over-sized rules; followed by the circular rules.
Each rule will have glamor shots (taken by me) and a list of specifications. I will also include my own thoughts about the slide rule itself.
The portfolio below shows the major makers of slide rules by which my catalog will be organized. A full-page will be devoted to each maker, whereas the "Miscellaneous" category will be of slide rules of which I have very few OR a merely makers that I know too little about to devote the time and energy to a full page.
Within each maker page, the rules will the be organized by their function, which is typically for "general-purpose" math or for a "specialty" use. General-purpose rules are those that let you do math, and they range up in capability depending on their complexity and number of scales. The same could also be said about specialty rules; however, their focus is on a general task, such as electronics, chemistry, military, and any number of strange and delightful purposes. The specialty rules (at least those of my focus) usually allow the user to do most math computations, coupled with a scale or three added added utility in its intended discipline.
Finally, one categorized by function, the slide rules will be listed by shape. The popular shapes of slide rules are typically linear (like a ruler), circular (like a [ahem] circle), and cylindrical/spiral. The latter type of rules will NOT be the focus here, mostly because of their prohibitive costs, especially today, though if I acquire one I'll probably just post it right here on the main page. So for the most part, each of the maker pages will present the slide rules by their shapes; which, for ease, will be the linear varieties including pocket rules, full-size rules, and over-sized rules; followed by the circular rules.
Each rule will have glamor shots (taken by me) and a list of specifications. I will also include my own thoughts about the slide rule itself.
