How To Use A Slide Rule
Listen, we’ve only got four and a half years until the world ends, and if that doesn’t pan out, it’s just a matter of time before some virus strain (or alien culture or robot revolution or our own stupidity) destroys society as we know it. Isn’t it time you made sure your low-tech skills were polished?
With that in mind, here’s your first Apocalyptic Preparation assignment: learn how to use a slide rule!
I’ve always thought of slide rules as gadgets or puzzles, not as serious calculation tools. I keep my eye out for them at garage and estate sales (and once missed purchasing one by five minutes; curses! Foiled again!) and even purchased a cheap plastic and paper slide rule which I might still have in the Lair somewhere. That said, learning to use a slide rule has been on the Zora List for some time.
Over at the Museum of HP Calculators, there’s a page of Basic Slide Rule Instructions. Keen! Now, I’ll be able to do simple trig without my TI-89! This site also has links to photos of various slide rules, and to a page with some slide rule history.
Got a slide rule? Email me a photo at ubergeeke@dotfiveone.com and share!
Related posts:
- How eating an entire elephant will improve the quality of your life!
- Two Posts You Should Read
- Your First Welding Project is over at Lady Ada’s
- How-To: LinuxChix Kernel Hacking Lessons
- Circuit Troubleshooting For Dummies