Cylindrical navigation slide rule
Object No. 2010/1/165
This object is part of a collection relating to the history and development of calculating devices assembled by Assoc Professor Allan Bromley of Sydney University, comprising mathematical instruments, slide-rules, mechanical and electronic calculators, electronic analogue computers, computer components, kit computers, education computers, and associated ephemera. Allan Bromley was a lecturer and researcher at the University of Sydney Basser Department of Computer Science from 1978 until his untimely death in August 2002. He specialised in Computer Architecture, Computer Logic and in particular the History of Computing. He was regarded as the world authority on Charles Babbage's Calculating Engines (instigating the building of the Difference Engine No.2 at the Science Museum London) and the Antikythera Mechanism and had extensive knowledge of calculators, analogue computers, logic, stereopsis, totalisators, clocks and time keeping and mechanical engineering.
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Summary
Object Statement
Cylindrical navigational slide rule with case, Bygrave type AML Position Line Mark IIA No 546. metal / paper / rubber, made by Henry Hughes & Son Ltd, used by Allan Bromley, England, c.1930
Physical Description
The slide rule is a Bygrave type position line navigation calculator. It is cylindrical in shape and consists of three concentric cylinders. The outermost cylinder, is made from a course cream coloured plastic and features two pointers as well as a number of tables and formulas which assist navigators to obtain position lines from sextant observations. The middle cylinder contains logarithmic cosies and scales, while the inner cylinder features a long spiral of logarithmic tangents. Both are made of a smoother, cream coloured plastic. There is a small plastic plaque attached to the outer cylinder. Handwritten on the plaque in blue pen is "LAT / HA/ DEC / C / y / Y / Az / ALT" The top of the cylinder is capped by an octagonal red/brown plastic. The cap is labelled "A.M.L. Position Line Slide Rule, Mark IIA, No.546 Patent No.162895". The base is also capped with a hollow, round, red/brown plastic, with grooved edges. The container for the slide rule, consisting of case and lid, is also cylindrical and is made of a black metal.
DIMENSIONS
Diameter
75 mm
SOURCE
Credit Line
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program in memory of Associate Professor Allan Bromley, 2010
Acquisition Date
20 January 2010
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