Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Development Of The Slide Rule, Robert Bray

Honors Theses

Although the slide rule has been used extensively in business, industry, and science only in recent years, it is not a modern invention. Since the slide rule is a mechanical device whereby the logarithms of numbers may be manipulated, the slide rule of today was made possible over three and one-half centuries ago by John Napier, Baron of Merchiston in Scotland. In 1594, Napier privately communicated his results to Tycho Brake, a Danish astronomer, but did not publicly announce his system of logarithms until 1614. Napier set forth his purpose.