[Elecraft] 6" slide rule (OT)

[Morrow, Michael A.]

Charles Greene wrote:

> Here's another cute slide rule story.  In 1962 I was in the 
> Navy, and I was the Engineering Officer of the Watch in a new
> construction nuclear powered submarine undergoing sea trials.
> Admiral Richover was aboard as he always was on the first sea
> trial of each new submarine.

Charles, the kindly old gentleman would not be pleased being called
"Richover" vs. "Rickover!"  I remember my Naval Reactors interview with him
well, though it was almost 30 years ago.

Another slide rule topic not yet mentioned is how *expensive* the good ones
were.  I bought one of the best, a Dietzgen "vector type log log" model made
of maple hardwood for dimensional stability, but with Teflon runners for
smooth slide travel.  It cost me $35 new in 1969.  According to current
consumer price index tables, that's equivalent to about $164 of today's
dollars.  Still, they were much lower priced than the electronic calculators
that became popular in 1972.  I couldn't afford the top-line HP-35 while at
college ($400 in 1972, equivalent to $1600 today), so I settled for a
four-function Bomar 901 ($120 in 1972, equivalent to $480 today), which I
used with my slide rule.

I still have the slide rule, in its custom hard leather case, and in as good
a condition now as it was more than 30 years ago.

73,
Mike / KK5F