New improvements on the slide rule | The end of an era! | Techday, July 11th
On this TECHDAY in history, on July 11th, K&E produced a slide rule for the last time, and presented it to the Smithsonian Institution. Even though it was in use for years, the slide rule became obsolete with this innovation. The invention of computers and calculators made performing mathematical calculations a much easier process.
It was invented by William Oughtred in 1622 and was later improved by others, including the American firm Keuffel & Esser (K&E).
In 1976, K&E introduced the 4081-3, a high-precision slide rule that featured a double-logarithmic scale, which made it possible to perform complex calculations with a high degree of accuracy. The 4081-3 also had a cursor, which allowed for easy alignment of the scales and improved readability of the results.
Despite the advent of electronic calculators in the 1970s, many people continued to use slide rules because of their speed, ease of use, and reliability. However, the slide rule eventually became obsolete as electronic calculators became more powerful and affordable. K&E stopped manufacturing them in 1976, but the company continues to produce other types of measurement and drawing tools.
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Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
