Post Slide Rule

Date1942

Mediummetal, plastic, leather

Dimensionscase: 1 3/4 × 6 3/8 × 1/2 in. (4.4 × 16.2 × 1.3 cm)
ruler: 1 3/8 × 6 × 1/4 in. (3.5 × 15.2 × 0.6 cm)

ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Mr. Hal Behl

Object numberPC1988.7.1.A

DescriptionThis 1444P slide rule from 1942 is a quintessential example of mid-20th century scientific tools used for precise calculations in engineering, physics, and other technical disciplines. It consists of a rectangular body made from white-painted material, likely plastic or wood, with finely marked logarithmic scales in black and red ink. The slide rule is accompanied by a transparent, movable cursor made of metal and clear plastic, which aids in accurate alignment for calculations. The device is housed in a brown leather sheath embossed with the manufacturer’s logo and personalized with the name “HAL BEHL” handwritten in black ink, adding a personal touch to the artifact's history. The slide rule bears the inscription “THE FREDERICK POST CO. 1444P MADE IN U.S.A.,” situating its production within a renowned American company that specialized in precision instruments. Its design reflects the era’s reliance on manual tools for advanced calculations before the advent of electronic calculators and computers. This tool was employed by its owner in scientific research relating to space exploration, a field of prominence in the region during and after World War II. Albuquerque’s ties to the burgeoning aerospace industry and research institutions, such as those at Sandia National Laboratories, underscore the tool’s potential significance in historical technological advancements.

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