It was the only technological tool widely and continuously used for over three centuries. For math and science geeks it was a badge of honor, nestled neatly into a plastic pocket protector along with ...

20141022_atc_the_slide_rule_a_computing_device_that_put_a_man_on_the_moon.mp3?orgId=1&topicId=1013&aggIds=359620445&d=489&p=2&story=356937347&t=progseg&e=358034983 ...

IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more. This is a two-foot, two-fold boxwood ...

While some (math-phobics) still may relish the simple beauty and non-threatening functionality of the abacus, there are those who have made the transition to more challenging computing gadgets—many ...

Used by engineers for centuries, they were displaced by pocket calculators and all but forgotten until Mr. Shawlee created a subculture of obsessives and cornered the market. By Alex Traub For about ...

In our most recent 5 Engineers post — part of this blog and our Fun Friday newsletter, where we toss out a question and invite our audience to respond with their wittiest answers — we asked: What’s ...

In 1622, William Oughtred created the first slide rule, a simple and easy-to-use calculation device consisting of two parallel logarithmic rulers that can slide past each other. It was the beginning ...

The protractor and the Bunsen burner. Playing the recorder in music class. Drawing arcs and circles with a compass in geometry. These tools of the education trade become part of our lives for a ...