[X] My Assistant

[dvandorn]

Here are two nearly identical images. One of these was used by Sergei Korolyev, the other by Wherner von Braun. Can you tell which is which?





And here's a more interesting question -- how many of us here on UMSF have actually *used* a slide rule in their lives? I know I used a slide rule, even in a completely non-engineering field -- I'd use it to do basic scaling functions when doing layout on newspapers and such.

Since both Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their own personal slide rules to the Moon, people were obviously using them only 35 or so years ago. So, how many of us have ever used one?

-the other Doug

[mchan]

I have used slide rules and card punches briefly. Don't miss them at all.

I still use my HP RPN calculator. Some of these fetch very high prices on Ebay. E.g., an HP-42S in mint condition goes for over $300. The original retail price was $120. HP still makes RPN calculators, but they don't have the solid feel of some of the older models.

[Bob Shaw]

It's not just US education that has a problem with numeracy - so too does the UK. I think, though, that there were always many people who were barely numerate, but that they were forced to learn simple skills by both school and their environment. These days calculators are ubiquitous, and when they are not to hand even educated folk crumble...

In the UK we suffer from Value Added Tax at 17.5%, which I generally work out in my head if I need to get a general idea of a real price (many of the goods I purchase are priced ex-VAT). I shudder whenever somebody reaches for a caculator, especially when I've got the cash already in my hand. As for making change...

I may have to move to Yorkshire at this rate. Luxury, that's what it'd be, bloody luxury...

Bob Shaw