Pickett N901-ES Simplex Slide Rule
date: label: date made
content: after 1965
label: date received
content: 1995
name: label: maker
content: Pickett & Eckel, Incorporated
notes: label: Description
content: This aluminum slide rule is coated in "Eye Saver" yellow, as denoted by the model number. It is held together with aluminum braces; the indicator is nylon (also denoted by the model number) with three metal screws. The front of the rule has A, D, and L scales, with B, CI, and C scales on the slide. The scales are about ten inches long. The slide and the top of the rule are both marked: MODEL N901-ES (/) SIMPLEX (/) MATH RULE. The other end of the slide bears the Pickett logo and the mark: MADE IN U.S.A.
label: Description
content: The back of the rule has X and D* scales, with Y and C* scales on the slide. The top of the rule is marked: PICKETT, INC.; MODEL N901-ES; SIMPLEX MATH RULE. The bottom of the rule is marked: COPYRIGHT 1965; PICKETT, INC. SANTA BARBARA. CALIF.; MADE IN U.S.A.
label: Description
content: The rule fits in a black leather sheath. The sheath was received in a green, white, and black cardboard box. One end of the box is marked: PickETT (/) 901-ES (/) ELEMENTARY MATH. It also is marked: about this rule: (/) 10 scales are keyed to (/) new math. Aids under- (/) standing of addition, (/) subtraction, multiplica- (/) tion, division and Base 10 (/) relationships. Grade 3 up. The inside of the box top flips up for display. The box slides into a green, white, and black cardboard cover. The top and sides of the box cover are each marked: PickETT; ALL METAL (/) SLIDE (/) RULE.
label: Description
content: The box also contains a yellow paper slide rule guarantee and registration card. The object's serial number is A1216143. A 48-page instruction manual by Maurice L. Hartung is stored separately (1995.0126.02.01).
label: Description
content: The X and Y scales were used for addition and subtraction and were unique to Pickett. Donor Lawrence J. Kamm conjectured that Hartung, a mathematics professor at the University of Chicago, recommended they be added to this product. According to Kamm, Hartung encouraged company cofounder Ross Pickett to market its slide rules only to schoolchildren. In order to provide scientists and engineers with access to rules such as the Decimal Keeper (1995.0126.01), Kamm opened a mail-order business that distributed Pickett's products.
label: Description
content: References: Peter M. Hopp, <i>Slide Rules: Their History, Models, and Makers</i> (Mendham, N.J.: The Astragal Press, 1999), 209–210; Maurice L. Hartung, <i>Complete, Semi-Programmed Teaching Instructions for the Use of Elementary Simplex Math Slide Rule</i> (Santa Barbara, Calif.: Pickett, Inc., 1965); accession file; International Slide Rule Museum, "Pickett," http://sliderulemuseum.com/Pickett.htm.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: California, Santa Barbara
topic: label: Subject
content: Mathematics
label: Subject
content: Rule, Calculating
label: Subject
content: Education
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Mathematics
label: See more items in
content: Science & Mathematics
label: See more items in
content: Slide Rules
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Lawrence J. Kamm
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1995.0126.02
label: accession number
content: 1995.0126
label: catalog number
content: 1995.0126.02
objectType: label: Object Name
content: calculating rule
label: Object Name
content: slide rule
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: aluminum (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: plastic (cursor material)
label: Physical Description
content: leather (case material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (case material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 3.6 cm x 33.8 cm x 9 cm; 1 13/32 in x 13 5/16 in x 3 17/32 in