Keuffel & Esser 4105 Webb's Stadia Cylindrical Slide Rule

This instrument consists of a wooden cylinder covered with paper scales, wooden handles at the ends of the cylinder, and a metal sleeve lined with felt. The sleeve, which is painted maroon, holds the cylinder. A slot 1.5cm wide and a paper scale run the length of the sleeve. For detailed information, see MA.333636. The only difference between the instruments is that the sleeve on this example has been decoratively painted in gold. Keuffel & Esser of New York sold this model for $5.00 from 1903 to 1923.

The School of Forestry of the University of Montana in Missoula donated this example to the Smithsonian in 1983. The School of Forestry was established at the State University of Montana (later Montana State University, now the University of Montana) in 1913. By 1921, courses taught in the school of forestry included—subject to student demand—a course on the slide rule. The course covered the theory and use of the Mannheim, Stadia, Polyphase, and Log rules.

References: State University of Montana, Annual Catalogue (Missoula, 1921), 125; "The Jack Burton Collection," Journal of the Oughtred Society 2, no. 1 (1993): 15–18; Bob Otnes, "The 31st (1903) and 32nd (1906) Editions of the K&E Catalogue" Journal of the Oughtred Society 11, no. 2 (2002): 24–32; Bob Otnes, "Keuffel & Esser Slide Rules 1909" Journal of the Oughtred Society 12, no. 1 (2003): 25–32.

Currently not on view