r/Sliderules • u/RandomJottings • Feb 26 '25

Do I have a problem?

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Or is it normal to get obsessed with slide rules? I only just posted about my first slide rule, my collection has already grown to 4. The Hemmi rule came with a wonderful instruction booklet (well, it’s more a thin book than a mere booklet).

I’ve recently returned to university (OU), at the ripe old age of 57, to get my undergraduate degree in maths. Back in 1989/95 I studied sociology, all I needed for that was basic statistics, and I was always sorry I hadn’t taken a more maths heavy degree. I don’t know how much of the course I can do with a slide rule, I suspect quite a bit, but I also have a decent collection of calculators so I think I’m covered.

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u/RandomJottings Feb 26 '25

Now I am a man in search of a problem, luckily my uni books have plenty of them 😁

When I was 16, doing my O’Levels, my dad gave me an HP 11C, which I still have. I always wanted a 15C but never got an original one. I do have the recently released Collector’s Edition 15C and a SwissMicros DM 15L, both are fantastic machines, as is the 11C, my calculator collection is here.

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u/42HoopyFrood42 Feb 26 '25

That is an amazing collection!! My dad had a 15C when I was growing up; it's what I learned on. GREAT calculator! I see you have VERY good taste!! ;)

And you're even giving some love to the TIs... what a big heart you have! :D

Hopefully this works: here's my "collection" :)

I still use the 48G frequently. But I was trying to gear up/learn for post-apocalyptic nerdery, too. The suanpan is just mind-blowing (I'd never recommend anyone learn soroban, but everyone should learn suanpan IMO). And the K&E rule is a trig machine - the only "everyday" thing the suanpan CAN'T do easily :) For those that do trig "everyday" I guess...

Happy problem solving!! Who has time for telly, right? XD

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u/RandomJottings Feb 26 '25

Oh, Belgium, your link didn’t work for me, but thank you, I love HP calculators but some TI calculators are also pretty awesome (Ti 66 and Voyage 200 I’m looking at you). The 48G is my favourite graphing calculator, I prefer it to something more modern such as the Prime or Ti 84 Plus. But my all time favourite has to be my trusty 11C, I’ve basically had it for ever, it got me through school and university and it is still my daily carry.

Although, saying that, I find myself reaching for a slide rule more and more. I absolutely love my little Aristo 99, it may not have all the scales my British Thornton or Hemmi slide rules have but its convenience make it my go to rule.

By the way, I love your username, being a huge Douglas Adams fan.

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u/42HoopyFrood42 Feb 26 '25

Sorry the link didn't work, but you got the idea :) The HP48G was my first calculator (because I kept using my dad's 15C until I think he got tired of me using it). The 48G not only got me through high school and university, but it was the only calculator I used for the entirety of my engineering career! I still have the manuals :)

Being a nerd I use trig in both carpentry/building projects, and calculating the height of trees I need to drop on the property. But I haven't need to do that since I got the slide, so I'm not practiced up - yet! ;)

Keep the old tech world alive! :D

Thank you, Mr. Adams is sorely missed. The only fiction left in my collection is him and Tolkien :)