[Leica] Slde Rules-HP red LED Calcs

[jerrypfile at wowway.com (JerryPfile)]

Interesting thread on slide rules and calcs.

I was a "Night" schooler all the way through college, and when asked what 
course I had liked the most, always answered the "1/2 hour credit slide 
rule" course I took as part of my engineering discipline (Industrial).

Why? Not because it taught me to run a slide rule (it did), but it taught me 
to how to understand math and how it works.  i.e. "all math is simply 
addition and subtraction of log values". 

In fact, it is no coincidence that the 10 footer mentioned is a multiple of 
10, as I recall the scales on all the linear rules, from the small pocket 
ones, to that 10 footer were based on decimal scales.  It made it easier to 
set up to manufacture due to the decimal configuration.

I started night school in 64', and wore out two belt loops on my K&E Log Log 
DeciTrig rule scabbard, while also carrying the CRC book of mathematical 
tables around.  Graduating in 72' we were on the cusp of the HP electronic 
hand calculator revolution that relgated so many rules the the attics, desk 
drawers and land fills of the day.

I can recall some of the "Which is better" debates amongst us engineering 
students in that time.  While you certainly could, and still can, work more 
problems with the "new" stuff, use of rules and tables lent to a better 
understanding of what was going on with the "old" stuff.

To bring it all On Topic, I primarily shoot with a M2 and M3.  While I use 
my M7, I think I know why the former get the most exercise.

Best,

Jerry

PS  While I don't "collect" Leicas (or so I tell my Wife), I do collect HP 
red LED calcs, Starrett measuring tools, and Snap-On hand tools.  Perhaps 
all are "On Topic".