On this day in 1976 the last slide rule was manufactured and presented to the Smithsonian Institution. The slide rule, also known as a slipstick, was a tool commonly used for performing mathematical calculations such as multiplication, division, exponents, roots and logarithms. With the advent of computers and hand-held calculators the slide rule became obsolete, and drafting supplies company Keuffel and Esser Co. became the last to produce these instruments.
Excellent!
I don’t believe it. I took a slide rule into university examinations in England in 1980. (Along with a calculator and a fresh set of batteries). I had been allowed a calculator in public examinations in 1974 (O-levels) and 1976 (A-levels), but certainly in 1974 that was recent (only a couple of years). I find it very hard to believe that all (for example) Indian students would have had access to a calculator in the 80’s.
In fact, https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/edn-moments/4390151/Last-slide-rule-manufactured–July-11–1976 says “last slide rule was manufactured *in the United States*” (which is entirely believable).
You can still buy a slide rule at Faber-Castell. I bought one last year for my birthday jjjj