Introduction

Have you ever wondered where to find a slide rulenot a calculator, but the elegant technological tool of the past? In today's digital age, these long, handheld calculators might seem like relicsbut they are still available for purchase online and in select shops. This article explores the availability, history, and significance of vintage slide rules in the modern world.

Searching for Vintage Slide Rules

When you're in the market for a slide rule, simply entering the term in a search box can yield some interesting results. Online platforms such as eBay, Amazon, and specialized antique stores offer a selection of these historical tools. Physical shops, while fewer and farther between, do still carry them. You can find them at mathematically inclined bookstores, antique dealerships, and even some scientific museums.

My Personal Encounter with Slide Rules

Back in the fall of 1969, when I enrolled in a small technical college, our curriculum required us to purchase a vast array of texts, covering everything from freshman Chemistry and Physics to Calculus. Included in this bundle were two slide rules, a part of the required equipment for students in the 'sciences' track. I often wonder if we were expected to buy both or if the decision was left to individual students; I personally acquired both. We had a brief course on how to use these slide rules, and although I've had them for decades, I rarely take them out of the case. However, a memorable moment came when I let my son, around the age of six, use one during a 'show and tell' session in school. He was beginning to learn multiplication and division.

The Role of Slide Rules in Academia

My father, who worked for an aerospace contractor, received a Texas Instruments (TI) 500 four-function calculator as a thank you from a salesperson. Three years later, I too received this same calculator when I started my studies at the college. Sharing one calculator among a group of five roommates who studied Chemistry and five others studying Business and Accounting was a common practice. These tools were essential for our homework and, of course, our professors would often assign calculations that required the use of these slide rules and calculators.

Modern Finds and Preservation

Vintage slide rules are sometimes found at flea markets, antique stores, and online. One important feature to look for when purchasing is a complete cursor slide. Many people today, especially those under a certain age, are not familiar with slide rules and therefore do not know how to use them. In my own collection, I have a few slide rules, but I admit that I have not used one since the 1980s!

Interestingly, I noticed a calculator from the 1930s in my collection, shown below:


Are New Vintage Slide Rules Available?

While finding authentic vintage slide rules can be a challenge, you might still be able to purchase a "new" one. I still have my 1968 slide rule, somewhere in a dusty box. I'm not sure if I remember how to use it, so I may dig it out and give it a try. Rediscovering these tools brings back memories of a time when arithmetic and mathematics were done without the crutch of a calculator or smartphone. So, if you're looking for a modern-day math enthusiast, a vintage slide rule might just be the perfect gift or nostalgic find.

Conclusion

The legacy of slide rules lives on in the form of these timeless mathematical tools. They serve as a reminder of a pre-digital era, offering not just functionality but also a sense of nostalgia. Whether you're a collector, a history buff, or a math enthusiast, vintage slide rules offer a fascinating insight into the past and the evolution of technology.