Subject
Slide-rule Books
Best books
Florian Cajori
On the History of Gunter's Scale and the Slide Rule During the Seventeenth Century
"On the History of Gunter's Scale and the Slide Rule During the Seventeenth Century" by Florian Cajori is a scientific publication that was written in the early 20th century. This book explores the historical development and significance of Gunter's scale and the slide rule within the context of mathematical and scientific advancements of the 17th century. The text delves into the various innovations, controversies, and notable figures involved in the evolution of these mathematical instruments. Cajori meticulously details the contributions of key mathematicians such as Edmund Wingate, William Oughtred, and Richard Delamain, examining how they influenced the design and functionality of Gunter’s scale and the slide rule. The book covers the innovations introduced during the 17th century, including the circular slide rule, the controversies surrounding its invention, and the debates between contemporaries on the priority of these inventions. It serves as a comprehensive source for historians of mathematics, providing insights into both the practical applications of these instruments and their impact on mathematical practice and education during that era.
Charles N. (Charles Newton) Pickworth
The slide rule : $b a practical manual
"The Slide Rule: A Practical Manual" by Charles N. Pickworth is a technical manual written in the early 20th century. The book is aimed at readers who wish to understand and effectively use the slide rule, an analog mechanical device for performing mathematical calculations. It covers the fundamental principles of logarithms and mechanical calculation, as well as the practical aspects, techniques, and various types of slide rules used for technical and engineering computations. This manual is intended for students, engineers, and anyone interested in the theory and application of slide rules. The opening of the manual begins with a series of prefaces noting updates in new editions, emphasizing the inclusion of special slide rules and recent applications such as screw-cutting gear calculations. The content proceeds to a concise introduction to slide rules, explaining their function as tools for mechanically doing calculations based on logarithms. Pickworth starts by demystifying logarithms and demonstrating their close relationship to the slide rule’s function, illustrating both arithmetical and mechanical principles behind the instrument. The text introduces the reader step-by-step to the concepts of notation by powers of ten, the construction and use of the slide rule, and how its unique scales operate. Early chapters provide practical instructions for multiplication, division, reading scales, using the cursor, and understanding the notation and number of digits in results. The author ensures clarity by incorporating worked examples, practical hints, and a logical progression from basic to more advanced operations, making the material approachable for both beginners and those seeking to deepen their expertise with the slide rule.
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