Pickett Model N 3-ES Duplex Slide Rule

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Pickett Industries
Description
This duplex linear slide rule, made of aluminum with an “eye saver yellow” coating, has numerous scales that are 10 inches long. The front has on the top of the base two square root scales, a K scale, and an A scale. At the bottom of the front of the base are a D scale, a D1 scale, and three scales for cube roots. The front of the slide has B, ST, S, two T, C1 and C scales. The back of the base has at the top two LL0 and two LL1 scales, as well as a DF scale. At the bottom of the back of the base are a D scale, two LL2 scales and two LL3 scales. On the back of the slide are CF, C1F, Ln, L, C1 and C scales. The indicator is made from plastic and held together with metal screws. The leather case has a hook on the back which connects to a belt strap. A copper-colored plate on the front of the case reads: BILL NYE. A pen mark inside the flap reads: Bill Nye.
Donor Bill Nye acquired the slide rule as a gift from his parents over winter break in 1971. He used it from 1971 until 1975, in high school and in engineering school at Cornell University. Nye went on host "Bill Nye the Science Guy," a Public Broadcasting System television show for children.
This slide rule was copyrighted in 1960. The logo on it is that used by Pickett from 1964 until 1975.
Compare 2016.0283.01 and 2009.0019.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Bill Nye
1971
ID Number
2016.0283.01
accession number
2016.0283
catalog number
2016.0283.01
Object Name
slide rule
calculating rule
Physical Description
metal (rule, screws, snaps, nameplate material)
plastic (slide material)
leather (case material)
Measurements
overall: 4 cm x 33.2 cm x 8 cm; 1 9/16 in x 13 1/16 in x 3 5/32 in
place made
United States: California, Santa Barbara
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Slide Rules
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Record ID
nmah_1820567
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-03e5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Pickett Model N 3-ES Duplex Slide Rule Associated with Bill Nye
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