3 ms·
I love the specialized instruments. The "Astrology Slide Rule" for calculating horoscopes and the "Bio Dial" for biorhythms. What a wonderful cross-over betwee
by bregma 6y ago
I love the specialized instruments. The "Astrology Slide Rule" for calculating horoscopes and the "Bio Dial" for biorhythms. What a wonderful cross-over between hard science and fantasy.
One thing I've learned over the decades is it often benefits the craftsman to use a specific tool for a specific job. Sometimes a general-purpose digital computer is not the most appropriate tool when a simple hand-held analog device will give you the right answer every time without batteries or reception, in the rain or damp or cold.
I learned to use a slide rule as a youth because it was an important part of the high school science curriculum (how else were you going to calculate all those Ksp values in chemistry? Long hand?). I also have a pile of them I've collected over the years. Long may they, uh, rule.
- fuzzfactor 6y agoWithout computers, or at home away from the mainframe, we really had slide rules for just about everything you would need to routinely calculate. A lot of them are sponsored or provided by corporations or trade associations, TRW provided the ICBM Effectiveness & Survivability model which looks really useful: https://osgalleries.org/collectors/davis/info_and_image.cgi?string1=nuclear&string2=2079 https://osgalleries.org/collectors/davis/info_and_image.cgi?... Even more handy would be the Ground Zero/Bomb Damage slide rule: https://osgalleries.org/collectors/davis/info_and_image.cgi?string1=nuclear&string2=2089 https://osgalleries.org/collectors/davis/info_and_image.cgi?... This is an outstanding black slide rule and its maker has remained anonymous, it's pretty dark but I guess a bright enough flash of light is expected to be available when you need to do this calculation.