Know How To Use a Slide Rule?

high_rolla writes "How many of you have actually used a slide rule? The slide rule was a simple yet powerful and important tool for engineers and scientists before the days of calculators (let alone PCs). In fact, several people I know still prefer to use them. In the interest of preserving this icon we have created a virtual slide rule for you to play with." Wikipedia lists seven other online simulations.

Comments

Pilots know how to use slide rules.

[fiid]

The E6-B is a rotary slide rule that pilots use for calculating wind correction angles, time/speed/distance problems, conversion between units (i.e. weight of a certain number of gallons of fuel), and fuel consumption.

It's preferred over digital devices because they still work when the batteries go flat, they are easy to use with one hand, and some models are actually smaller.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6B