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

No, and what the hell is the index line?

[cliveholloway]

"The index line on scale C is always put over the number to be multiplied on scale D"

What's the point of explaining how it works if you don't explain what each of the terms used is?

Damn nerds...

Re:Of course

[mabhatter654]

but in reality, justifying precision more than 4 significant places is really difficult using proper scientific/engineering methods. For instance 4 decimal places in surveying takes you to an inch range even over a mile of distance with hand tools. Average slide rules can do 2-3 fancy ones can hit that last place.

Mildot Master

[dazedNconfuzed]

Slide rules are still in active use by - of all people - snipers. The Mildot Master is a sliderule for determining distances and ballistics for long-range precision shooting when using a rifle scope fitted with a "mildot reticle".

Simple, low-tech, durable and cheap - specialized slide rules are still useful for particular applications where computers are expensive & fragile overkill.