Some Recommended Books (in order of "recent-first")

 

IJzebrand Schuitema (Auth.), Otto van Poelje (Ed.):  The Schuitema Collection,
in English language, private publication, 2009.  
Printed and sold by Lulu.com, an internet "on-demand" printing and publishing provider.

From the back cover:

The Schuitema Collection

Illustrated Catalogue of all slide rules and discs in the 
Schuitema Collection.
In December 2008, this private collection was donated by 
IJzebrand Schuitema to the Arithmeum museum in Bonn, Germany.
The book presents the Schuitema Collection at that moment, 
structured in 55 themes and displayed on 188 panels. 
Some 2700 panel objects are presented in pictures and text.

IJzebrand's donation of his collection to the Aritmeum has been reported in MIR49 articles.
This book on the Schuitema Collection is described in more detailed in the announcement in MIR 50, see here.
A preview is possible for the introduction and from three selected panels.
The book can be ordered in paperback or in hardcover binding.
Because a printed copy of the book with 400 colour pages is very expensive (between 73 and 95 euro depending 
on binding and shipping), there is also an option for a free download of the PDF file (about 400 MB size).
Ordering can be done at the website lulu.com in the BUY section, by searching for the keyword "schuitema".

The book is organized following themes and panels. To look where a specific brand name and model type can be 
found in the Schuitema Collection, please click at this alfabetical Index of Items.

 

Kring Historische Rekeninstrumenten, KRING Jubileum DVD, 1992 - 2007
in English language, private publication, April 2008 
for more information, see: README

31 oktober 1992, the Dutch Circle (KRING) was established at a meeting of slide rule collectors in Odijk, the Netherlands. In November of the same year, the first MIR was published. 
Our 15-year anniversary is celebrated by offering a Jubileum DVD to all KRING-members. This DVD was attached to MIR 47, April 2008. 

The purpose of this DVD is to show all publications of KRING-members in those past 15 years. The production  has been impressive. The printed material covers almost 1200 pages in the MIR's, and about as much pages in books published by KRING-members. 

And then we have the material in pure digital form, like the pictures in the Slide Rule Catalogue and the Website of the KRING. All together the KRING Jubileum-DVD contains almost 10.000 pages text and pictures, condensed in 2½ Gigabytes digital.

With regard to the language of all this information, we turn out to be quite internationally oriented: the MIR’s contain mainly contributions in Dutch, but all IM Proceedings and almost all books written by KRING-members are available in English. Just one book, IJzebrand's first book: “2 x 3 ……  approximately 6”, can only be found on this DVD in Dutch (the English version is commercially available from Astragal Press in the USA).

In the "KRING Jubileum-DVD", the collected works of the  KRING has been made easily accessible for look-back or for further research in our field of interest. 
Moreover, this information is thus preserved for the future and disclosed for a larger public. 

Use of the DVD

The main folder of the DVD contains documents of the type Adobe Acrobat (PDF) or of the type HTML for usage by a browser (like MS Internet Explorer). This means those files are not limited to usage on MS Windows PC's only.
The PDF files use a separate window with direct clickeable index lines is (bookmarks), or alternately thumbnail pictures for each page. This allows fast and easy navigation in these PDF files.  

On a suitable MS Windows PC, the DVD will start automatically a menu on the browser, for even easier navigation. This menu can also be started manually by clicking door the file Menu.html.  
Usage of the menu required a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels.

The "KRING Jubileum DVD" is available for all collectors, at a price of 15,- euro,
including shipment anywhere in the world. For more information, email:   
ovpoelje@rekenlinialen.org

 

IJzebrand Schuitema, The Slide Rule as Hobby Theme,
Private publication, 2007

IJzebrand Schuitema's third book - in Engelsh - recounts personal experiences during his more than 25 years of collecting slide rules. Every collector will recognize events and situations in this book, but also he will find ideas to initiate new activities in his collecting activities. 
The reader will become more closely acquainted with IJzebrand while reading his book. 
IJzebrand wants to put an example with his book, for other collectors to put their own experiences to print. 

Dit boek has been printed in limited numbers, for friends only. There will be no reprint because of high color printing costs.
However the book can be obtained in digital format as part of the  "KRING Jubileum DVD", is published April 2008, see description above.

Joseph L. Soper, K&E Salisbury Products Division Slide Rules,
Published by the Oughtred Society, 2007 (voor meer informatie klik hier)

Joseph L. Soper joined K&E in 1966, training at the Hoboken facility and then moving to the Salisbury Products Plant in Lakeville, Connecticut. At Salisbury he progressed from Department Supervisor, to Plant General Foreman, to Production Manager, and then to Plant Manager, a total of twenty-nine years.
This book is a story told by Joe Soper just like he was sitting in your living room just talking to you. The story is packed with lots of human interest while telling many details of slide rule production at the Salisbury plant. There is something for everybody. How plastic slide rules were made by K&E is the main theme but along the way there are many details about how the scales were laid out, how the molding masters were made and many production details. The bizarre story about the Analon is finally told by someone that was there. 

The price of this book is 39,- US Dollar, excluding shipment costs.
For Europe, shipping is 12,- US Dollar for 1 or for 2 books, uninsured.

Panagiotis Venetsianos, Pocketbook of the Gauge Marks,
Published by the Oughtred Society, 2006 (voor meer informatie klik hier)

This booklet was produced exclusively for Oughtred Society members. It was sent to all members with the second issue of the Journal of the Oughtred Society in 2006. It will also be sent to new members joining the Society, while the stock lasts. See http://www.oughtred.org/members.shtml
What is the difference between a slide rule and a table of physical & mathematical constants?
First the similarity: slide rules also have constants imprinted, the so-called “gauge marks”. Of the many differences, an outstanding one is that a constant on the slide rule is immediately available for use in a calculation. Unit conversion is one of the possible applications, but many other ingenious factors have been invented to ease specific calculations.
An individual slide rule may have a small number of constants – excepting specials like for instance the chemical rule bearing quite some elements from the Periodic System. However, many slide rules collectively make up a substantial book of constants. And that is exactly what Panagiotis Venetsianos has achieved over the more than 10 years that he is collecting gauge marks.
For collectors and connoisseurs alike, this booklet is a goldmine of information, to understand and appreciate the sometimes cryptic icons on their slide rules. The elegant design of cross-referencing tables for gauge mark names and their numerical values -with explanations- allows an easy answer to any question on the gauge marks. The Oughtred Society considered this work important enough to have this booklet produced in print for the members of the Society. Dutch Kring members may have seen a preliminary version of this text in MIR 29, October 2001.

 

 

Ted Hume, Bob Koppany (Ed.), The Oughtred Society Slide Rule Reference Manual,
Private publication, 2005 (for more information click here)

A beautiful 100-page guide for the slide rule collector,
in a striking lay-out with full colours.
The book is written in English, and is lavishly adorned
with full pictures of both American and European slide rules.
History, principles, usage and many tips for the collector
of slide rules are exposed in clear language
with many examples.

The price of this book is 35,- US Dollar
for non-OS members, excluding shipment costs.
For Europe, shipping is 12,- US Dollar, uninsured

 

 

Nico Smallenburg (Kringlid), De LOGA Calculators,
Private publication, 2004

Almost 200 pages about one brand, LOGA, plus a CD
with colour pictures of all known LOGA Calculators.
Backgrounds of the firm LOGA, the Dutch representative,
product survey of all LOGA calculating drums and discs,
patents, brake systems, manuals and maintenance
are treated extensively.

The book is written in Dutch, but the 17 page "English introduction" 
(plus 17 page "Deutsche Zusammenfassung") and the many pictures
make this book also worthwile for English and German readers.

The price of this book is 30,- EURO, excluding shipment costs.

Guus Craenen  (Kringlid), Albert Nestler - Innovation und Qualität Teil II,
"Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Herstellern und mit Erfindern",

Private publication, 2004

This sequel to Part I provides new information on Nestler,
which was obtained recently, and treats in more detail the
cooperation between Nestler and other slide rule manufacturers,
both within and outside of Germany. Many slide rules, resulting
from such cooperations, are described extensively.
This richly illustrated book contains almost 100 pages to complete
the history of the Nestler firm .

The price of this book is 30,- EURO, excluding shipment costs.

 

 

Ir. IJ. Schuitema   (Kringlid),
The Slide Rule, Technical Cultural Heritage,
Private publication, 2003

 

                   This new book, in English, by IJzebrand Schuitema
                        addresses over 130 patents, mainly European,
                        and gives descriptions of more than 30 specialised
                        slide rules from his own collection.
                        With some 500  pictures, many of them in colour.
                        Also a CD-ROM is included with detailed pictures of all addressed
                        slide rules.
                        See the English-language review of this book in MIR34.
                                      The price of this book is 40,- EURO, excluding shipment costs.

 

Jo Donners (1937 - 2005), Mijnheer van Dalen Krijgt Antwoord,
Nederlandse versie uitgegeven in eigen beheer, 2002
English (extended) version "The Fascinating Development of ARITHMETIC"
has been presented at IM2003, and is available from the author.

A summary of the history and development of arithmetic from
the Egyptians into the 20^th century, and the tools used.
The title refers to a Dutch memory aid used at school for
remembering the priority rules of calculation operators,
comparable to the "My Dear Aunt Sally" rule.
The book is written in a compact manner, with much information
on arithmetic in various civilisations  (Egypt, Mesopotamia,
Greece, Rome, Western Europe, India, Arabia, Chine, Japan,
the Maya’s and Inca’s), and about practical calculation tools
(calculating by fingers, exchequer tallies, Napier and Genaille
bones, logarithms, slide rules and mechanical instruments).
Highly recommended for the slide rule collector with a wider 
interest.
The price of this book is 22,- EURO, excluding shipment costs.

 

 

Guus Craenen  (Kringlid), Albert Nestler - Innovation und Qualität,
Private publication, 2001

One of the best-known manufacturers in Germany, Nestler,
is the subject of study in this more specialised book.
Next to information on production and models, this book
also supplies some insight into the human interest of the
Nestler family, together with the context and circumstances
of that era.
The large number of figures (over 130) brings this book
really to life. The many  addenda provide extensive
reference material in lists and tables.

 

Ir. IJ. Schuitema (Kringlid) & Ir. H. van Herwijnen (1929-2004)  ,
Rekenen op liniaal en schijf,   "2 x 3 ...... ongeveer 6",   Een tijdsbeeld,
Private publication, 2000

Addresses 11 Dutch slide rule designers and producers,
and some other slide rule models.
The information presented has been mainly acquired
by conversations and correspondence with the directly
involved persons or family. ("oral history"). 
Also some sections cover the collecting of slide rules,
and a CD-ROM has been added containing over 500
striking pictures of the slide rules that are addressed
in this book. 

This book has been issued in a Dutch, but also in an English
version: Calculating on Slide Rule and Disc,  
"2 x 3 ...... approximately 6",  Portrait of an era

                          English version is available at  The Astragal Press:
                                          www.AstragalPress.com

 

 

 

 

Peter M. Hopp, SLIDE RULES - Their History, Models, and Makers,
The Astragal Press, 1999

Comprehensive reference book with many tables on
models and makers world-wide. Includes unique
information about English instrument makers before
the 20th century.

 

 

 

Dieter von Jezierski, Rechenschieber - eine Dokumentation, 
Private publication, 1997

Very readable and accomplished book covering a
broad range of the area. Especially recommended
for the starting collector, in German.

 

 

Dieter von Jezierski, Slide Rules, A Journey Through Three Centuries,
The Astragal Press, 2000

English-language edition of above-mentioned book
from 1997, with many improvements and additions.  

 

 

 

 

W.J. Heijdeman, De Rekenliniaal,
N.V. Uitgevers-mij. "KOSMOS", Amsterdam, many reprints around 1940

Many books with a more general description and
operating techniques have been published in addition
to the User Manuals bundled with the slide rules.
As example, this easy booklet was very popular at
the time in the Netherlands.

 

 

 

Florian Cajori, A History of the Logarithmic Slide Rule, 
originally published in 1910, Reprint by The Astragal Press, 1994

This book set a standard at the time, with many details
from the early history of the slide rule, including a
wealth of source references.

 

 

 

Some other interesting books:

 

		See contents in MIR 42
Gazette 7, 2006 See contents in MIR 43	Gazette 8, 2007 See contents in MIR 46	Gazette 9, 2008 See contents in MIR 50
See review in MIR 37	See review in MIR 36	See contents