INTRODUCTION
ISRM is the world's largest free digital repository of all things concerning slide rules and other math artifacts. There are over 7000 Images or PDF's in the ISRM Galleries and Libraries. The picture of Becky holding a 1903 4 foot Ding & Frage Excise rule in front of quad monitors, shows the ISRM archiving operation, and the 17" x 11-1/2" (A3) scanner that is used.
There are scans or pictures of actual slide rules and related math arifacts in the museum or provided by collectors from around the world Every specimen is
different in some way. There are over 4000 unique items at present dating from 1850. Duplicate model
numbers in this collection have different cursors, scales, logos or construction features. Unlike
most collectors who want pristine specimens, the museum enjoys getting slide rules that are marked
with the original engineer's name especially when we are told what work they were used for,
even if it only helped the owner get through college.
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The prefix codes 'S0XX', 'P0XX', 'L0XX', 'MXX', etc were the original identification filing system and are not part of manufacturer's
model numbers. Slide rules with this notation are no longer part of the active ISRM collection as they were
gifted to the Computer History Museum. We would appreciate gifts of slide rules to replace these specific items.
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The 'ISRM' prefix code means the specimen is part of the physical current collection available for public displays.
All new acquisitions or donations are given this code along with an accession number of the form YY.MM.DD.XX.
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The 'HSRC' prefix codes are slide rule images from Herman's Slide Rule Catalogue
which are duplicated in the HSRC gallery.
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The 'REF' prefix code denotes that this is a donated scan from an ISRM friend or other source that has
been archived on this site..
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When you click on the pictures you will get a 150 dpi FULL SIZE SCAN (note manuals are scanned at 200 dpi)
of the slide rule.
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Scales are listed as to the location on the slide rule. The FRONT side is arbitrarily determined by
the presence ofthe most common scales A [B, C] D.
Scales are described using the above convention
This is a work-in-progress. The museum is being expanded constantly to add reference
pictures of slide rules and ephemera provided from other collections and international sources as well
as from new acquisitions acquired through donations. Some scans are being supplied by other
collectors who use the site as a reference, credits are duly noted, when known. Electronic 'Slide Rule' Calculators and Abaci are the newest galleries being documented at ISRM.
Most of the scans are larger than can be fully displayed in a default browser. Microsoft
Internet Explorer 6 uses
Automatic Image Resizing to make it fit without scroll bars. To display an image at
full size in order to see more detail, change your settings by navigating to:
Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/Enable Automating Image resizing [uncheck box].
MISSION STATEMENT
This collection of mathematical artifacts has taken quite a while and expense to
accumulate and catalog. Consequently, my goal as the curator, was to not only
provide research information at no charge to the public but also assist worthwhile
educational and historical institutions in expanding their collections. So far,
recipients have been the University of Colorado, the Math History Museum of the
Smithsonian Institute, and the Computer History Museum. I also have instituted
a Slide Rule Loaner program
for educators which sends matching sets of 25 slide rules to schools for temporary
(as long as a school year) use. The slide rules are provided through the generous
abundance of collectors worldwide.
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As of May 26, 2006, the majority of the physical specimens and files used to create this museum are now located at the Computer History Museum
in Mountain View, California for preservation and display. Take time to visit CHM when you are in the area. |
DONATIONS (GIFTS) OF SLIDE RULES
If you wish to give your slide rule or your parents or relative's slide rule a bit of immortality
and especially to honor the work that was done in life, donations of slide rules (and related calculators) are readily accepted and will be well
cared for and preserved for posterity. Please include a brief bio/profile of the owner for the display. A small portrait
may be included. Along with being displayed in the ISRM galleries, every attempt will be made to
install gifted specimens into a permanant display and in some cases re-gifted to another institution
that may be looking for similar articles. Donors are given credit with the artifact and are also listed in the 'Friends of the Museum' page. See the Example below on how it may be presented. It may take a few months
before your donation shows up in the galleries, so please be patient.
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Please contact:
1944 Quail Circle
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
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MONETARY DONATIONS
All the high resolution images of slide rules in the galleries and the PDF files of
scanned books, manuals and instructions have been free to download since 2003. The policy of ISRM is to
continue this practice, without restrictions in order to provide research and educational information
to the world at large. However, running a web site of this size with a large amount of data does take a
lot of time and effort and does incurr costs in hosting in order to provide the bandwidth. We get over 30,000 hits per day. If you have
enjoyed the many offerings of ISRM, and would like to contribute toward its expansion, you can send
money using the Secure Paypal button on the right. All monetary contributions will be used to pay for the
web site service, support shipping for the Slide Rule Loaner Program or obtain additional items for public displays.
Thank you for your support and consideration!
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To contribute
toward downloads:
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PRIVACY STATEMENT
ISRM does not collect any information concerning any of its visitors.
In the case of Paypal transactions, only Paypal has access to your
information.
Display Example of a Slide Rule Donation:
S535 K&E 4092-3 |
K&E 4092-3 S/N 187247
Made in U.S.A. - All Glass cursor - Used 1926-1930
Front Scale
LL0, A [ B, S, T, C ] LL3, LL2, LL1
Back Scale
K, DF [ CF, CIF, CI, C ] D, L
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Parker D. Shepperd (c1910-1963)
used this slide rule at the University of Colorado in
Boulder. Graduated 1930 with a mechanical engineering degree.
Case has student's address at 1221 University, Boulder, CO, a fraternity house near the campus. Mr Shepperd worked
in various firms designing commercial HVAC systems, such as General Electric in Schenectady, NY,
and Johnson Service Company in Detroit, Cleveland, and Boston. One of his big projects was the
John Hancock Building in Boston. Slide rule donated by his daughter, Marnie, and has now been
permanently transferred, with other items, to the University of Colorado Heritage Center.
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Leslie (My Dad) Konshak's Slide Rule
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This was my father's, Leslie (Les) Konshak (1914-2010), slide rule. Like most things he had it was not elegant, always practical, and in this case is one of
the least expensive out there. Yes, it's a Sterling 584 which many collectors wouldn't even give a second glance.
Sometime along the way the slide rule broke and rather than toss it away, Dad (or Mom) epoxied it
back together and was given a new life. Eat it up, wear it out, do with or do without.Dad passed on in 2010 at age 93. Mom passed on in 2003 at 84.
They are both buried at Fort Logan National Cemetary in Colorado.
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* Hairy-Eared Engineer - definition:
1) An engineer who's old enough to have hair growing out of undesirable places.
2) Who's been
practicing engineering so long that he or she has already made all possible mistakes at least once.
3) A desirable person to have on a project to ensure the mission succeeds.
4) Quote: "Every
project needs at least one hairy-eared engineer" Marvin B. Davis -1980.
(Marvin was one
then and 34 years later, my barber can attest that I've finally made the grade).
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Copyright © 2003-2017
International Slide Rule Museum
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Calculators Before The CPU
