br2hughes wrote:
>
> People,
>
> I have recently taken an enormous interest in slide rules. I
> graduated last year with a B.A. in Math and Physics and have since
> studied some mechanical engineering in graduate program. Having found
> my fellow students heavily engulfed in the need to use current
> technology to solve problems (like using Maple and Matlab to integrate
> relatively simple functions), I am feeling alone in my passion for the
> more theoretical aspects of the subjects, of science.
>
> Perhaps there's even a sense of disgust toward the use of computers
> and calculators growing within me. I'm not sure. But I acknowledge
> that the other students I know don't sympathize with me; they are
> merely interested in the solution to a problem, rather than the
> delicate and beautiful process of getting there. I believe these
> preliminary steps are of utmost importance. This is one of several
> reasons why I've chosen to become skilled in the mastery of the
> slide. Of course, I, too, share in those reasons commonly discussed
> by slide rule fanatics such as yourselves.
>
> I have just turned 23 years old, and I know of no one even remotely
> close to my age that currently uses a slide rule as I do. Now to my
> main question(s): Does anyone know if I am alone in my slide rule
> endeavors for my age bracket, or must I be the sole person to ensure
> that future generations don't lose sight of this wonderful instrument?
>
> I am very curious to here about any responses.
>
> Brandon Hughes
> br2hughes@... <mailto:br2hughes%40aim.com>
>
>
Brandon,
I'm 48, have been an engineer for 26 years and have seen a lot of
technology developed in that time. Useful electronic calculators were
just coming out as I was in high school. I was one of the last who were
introduced to slide rules in engineering orientation class. But, I,
like you, think that John Napier and those who followed were brilliant
men, far more than we are today. To be able to multiply by adding!!
Yes, I have a couple of 6 inch slide rules that I consistently use for
simple calculations (gas mileage, for example). The fact is, for real
engineering, my $10 Casio calculator is much faster, more precise,
easier to use, less chance of a mistake than a 10" slide rule. So, when
I want to find an answer, I use a calculator. When I want to marvel at
the beauty of numbers, I go to the slide rule.

Preston


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