NavList:

   

Reply

A useful book is Henry H. Shufeldt's "Slide Rule for the Mariner." He
goes quite thoroughly into use of a 10" K&E Log Log Duplex Trig rule
for cel nav. Checking with Amazon I found 2 copies of the book @
$15.49.

Hewitt

On 5/20/09, Brad Morris  wrote:
>
>  The slide rule was used everywhere, not just the moon landing.  Consider, 
the electronic 4 function (+-*/) calculator was marketed the early 1970's.  I 
still fondly recall my first calculator and marveled at the decimal digits 
and the speed.  I wouldn't let anyone touch my precious instrument!  Any 
engineering that was done before 1973 either used a mainframe computer or a 
slide rule.
>
>  Mainframe computers were gigantic beasts.  Nothing like the desktops of 
today at all.  Remote operations happened (at least for me) at 110 baud.  
Yawningly slow.  Even when you were local to the mainframe, things took time. 
 You submitted a job and the answer, after a period of time, popped out.  
They were expensive to operate and maintain.  Associated with the mainframe 
was a staff. Your job was scheduled in, there was no instantaneous 
gratification.
>
>  The slide rule offers immediate results, with an answer that almost always 
is "good enough".  The 10" rules were like a sword on your belt.  Very 
awkward to wear.  I still have my pocket slide rule which did not suffer from 
that, at the expense of even further resolution issues.  I kept the 10" at my 
desk and the small one in my pocket.  The small one popped out in meetings.
>
>  The slide rule offers something that all the electronics in the world does 
not.  It is the Order of Magnitude of the problem.  That is, you are forced 
to estimate the answer in your head first and then stick the decimal point 
where it belongs.  Essentially, you solve the problem before hand and the 
only thing the slide rule does is to refine the decimal digits of accuracy.  
Since you only have 2 or 3 digits after the decimal point (typically), you 
are forced to be conservative in your calculations.  That's why many 
structures that were created with slide rules appear to be "solidly 
constructed". They were compensating for the inability to resolve the 
problem.
>
>  I don't want to discourage you, yet I believe that the solution to the 
spherical triangle on a 10" slide rule will not be of sufficient accuracy to 
suit for navigation.  There simply isn't enough resolution.  Dutton 
recommends that each navigator equip himself with one, but I believe that 
this is to perform simple rate equations and trigonometric solutions, not for 
the solution of a spherical triangle.
>
>  Mind, you will get a solution.  That solution will put you on the map.  The 
only thing is just how accurate your answer is and how much do you need!
>
>  Best Regards
>  Brad
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of Greg Rudzinski
>  Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:50 AM
>  To: NavList
>  Subject: [NavList 8330] Re: recommendation for slide rule ?
>
>
>  Gary,
>
>      You have succeeded in getting me interested in slide rules. I
>  have never owned or used one but after some internet research I see
>  that they have been to the moon and back. Now I will have to get one!
>  So far I am leaning toward the purchase of a Pickett N3-ES which is of
>  aluminum construction. The slide rule could very well be the pinnacle
>  of low tech achievement. Right there with the mechanical chronometer.
>
>  Greg
>
>
> "Confidentiality and Privilege Notice
>  The information transmitted by this electronic mail (and any attachments) 
is being sent by or on behalf of Tactronics; it is intended for the exclusive 
use of the addressee named above and may constitute information that is 
privileged or confidential or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If 
you are not the addressee or an employee or agent responsible for delivering 
this message to same, you are not authorized to retain, read, copy or 
disseminate this electronic mail (or any attachments) or any part thereof. If 
you have received this electronic mail (and any attachments) in error, please 
call us immediately and send written confirmation that same has been deleted 
from your system. Thank you."
>
>
>  >
>

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
Navigation List archive: www.fer3.com/arc
To post, email NavList@fer3.com
To , email NavList-@fer3.com
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

   

Reply