Sterling Precision Simplex Slide Rule
date: label: date made
content: 1961-1972
name: label: maker
content: Sterling Plastics
notes: label: Description
content: This inexpensive one-sided white plastic slide rule has A, D, and K scales on the base, with S, L, and T scales on one side of the slide and B, CI, and C scales on the other side of the slide. The indicator is clear frameless plastic. The top of the base is marked: SP [inside a circle] PRECISION STERLING SLIDE RULE MADE IN U.S.A. The logo was trademarked by Sterling Plastics Company of Mountainside, N.J., in 1945. A clear plastic case has blue endpieces and is stamped 99¢.
label: Description
content: According to Peter M. Hopp, Sterling began making slide rules in 1961. The company ceased producing slide rules around 1972. Since there are only two bridges holding the base together instead of five, Konshak suggests this example was made early in this time period. This example is probably model number 584. The Precision line came in various forms, as other examples have rulers on beveled edges, red scales, or green slides or bases. These were often sold as model number 685. For instructions, see 1988.0807.05. For company history, see 1998.3104.01.
label: Description
content: References: Peter M. Hopp, <i>Slide Rules: Their History, Models, and Makers</i> (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 1999), 222; Mike Konshak, "Sterling Plastics," http://sliderulemuseum.com/Sterling.htm.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: New Jersey, Mountainside
topic: label: Subject
content: Mathematics
label: Subject
content: Rule, Calculating
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Mathematics
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content: Science & Mathematics
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content: Slide Rules
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of George A. Norton
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1988.0807.01
label: accession number
content: 1988.0807
label: catalog number
content: 1988.0807.01
objectType: label: Object Name
content: slide rule in case
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 1 cm x 28.2 cm x 4.5 cm; 13/32 in x 11 3/32 in x 1 25/32 in