This is a special slide rule designed for the paper and printing industry and used to calculate the weight and volume of paper, given the paper size. 

It is a large rule, 23 inches (585mm) long. In boxwood with a mahogany base. Twin slides with 5 scales: A - Length in inches B- Breadth C-superficial Area D-Weight in pounds E- a series of gauge points for paper sizes and conversion factors. Signed J Thomlinson Ltd, Publishers, Partick, Glasgow. 

It was made by J.Thomlinson Ltd. in Glasgow, Scotland in 1940 and it is one-sided with two moving scales and four sliding paper scales (there is no cursor): the A-scale indicates the length, B-scale the breadth, C-scale the area in square inches, and D is used for translation of inches to cm, kg to pounds. It was used for 480 and 500 sheet reams, and various different standard paper cuts. 

On the top side of the rule is text and numbers for measurements divided according to Scale A, B, C, D and E. 

Scale A reads, 'LENGTH IN INCHES', 12-60. On the top right hand corner of this it reads, 'THOMLINSON'S EQUIVALENT PAPER SLIDE SCALE'. 

Scale B reads, 'BREADTH IN INCHES', 40-8 (sliding). 

Scale C reads 'SUPERFICIAL AREA IN SQUARE INCHES', 96-2400. 

Scale D reads 'WEIGHT IN POUNDS', 10-260 (sliding)

Scale E reads, 'GRAMMES PER SQUARE METRE', 13 1/4 x 16 1/2 - 40 x 50 (fixed).

On the bottom right hand corner of the rule is, 'J. THOMLINSON LTD / PUBLISHERS / PARTICK GLASGOW'.

We are extremely grateful for this slide rule which was donated by The National Museums of Scotland

Manufacturer: J Thomlinson Ltd
Date: 1940

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH16102. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

Click on the Image(s) For Detail