Pickett & Eckel Slide Rule, circa 1965

01

Artifact Overview

Slide rules are mechanical, analog computers, much like the abacus. Developed in the 17th century, these devices were used to solve complex mathematical problems such as multiplication, division, trigonometry, and logarithms. Portability made the slide rule popular among engineers and scientists until it was displaced by the spread of affordable electronic calculators.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Slide rule

Date Made

circa 1965

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2001.32.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Aluminum
Plastic
Leather

Color

Yellow (Color)
Black (Color)
Silver (Color)
Brown

Dimensions

Height: 3 in (Case)
Width: 12.75 in (Case)
Length: 0.75 in (Case)

Inscriptions

on top: PICKETT & ECKEL, INC. / CHICAGO / 108 / PATENT APPLIED FOR on bottom: PICKETT / SYNCHRO-SCALE / MODEL 800-ES / LOG LOG
Pickett & Eckel Slide Rule, circa 1965