#slide rules

[slack-wise]

Harris-Intertype Fototronic from Tangible Media Collection.

[wherepond]

We never went to the moon

Why it's impossible humans landed on the Moon

Join physicist Michio Kaku as he examines one of history's greatest achievements through a scientific lens. In this provocative 2-hour exploration, discover why the 1969 Moon landing seems almost impossible when you analyze the physics, technology, and challenges involved.

Professor Kaku breaks down the extraordinary obstacles NASA faced: navigating with 64KB of computer memory, surviving deadly Van Allen radiation belts, operating in extreme lunar temperatures, and landing with 1960s technology that seems primitive by today's standards.

From radiation exposure to the rocket equation, from the lunar module's fragile design to the psychological pressures on astronauts—every aspect of the Apollo missions pushed the absolute limits of what was physically possible.

But here's the paradox: if it was so impossible, why haven't we gone back in 50 years? Why does modern technology struggle to replicate what we achieved with slide rules and vacuum tubes?

This isn't conspiracy theory—it's hard science examining an almost miraculous achievement and asking the uncomfortable questions about why humanity's greatest triumph remains unrepeated.

Topics covered:

Van Allen radiation belts and cosmic ray exposure The Apollo Guidance Computer's incredible limitations Extreme temperature survival on the lunar surface Why the Saturn V rocket capability was lost Engineering "impossibilities" that somehow worked The lost institutional knowledge of the 1960s

Why returning to the Moon is harder than we think.

Source || Michio Kaku

[stone-cold-groove]

Andrew microwave antenna system slide calculator - 1987.

[hezigler]

Slide rules and book of mathematical tables and formulas. How we did math before the invention of the electronic digital calculator.

[egglybagelface96]

The provenance of the Pickett N600 in spaceflight. The mini ‘log log’ rule offers an extremely powerful tool in a compact package and saw use in both of it’s T(white) and ES(yellow) forms aboard Gemini and Apollo missions.

[krakenartificer]

The Electric Slide Rule - Numberphile

Cliff Stoll shows off an electric-powered slide rule. More links & stuff in full description below ↓↓↓ Audible (free trial): http://www.audible.com/numberphi...

This wins for not only the best explanation of how to use a slide rule, but also the dorkiest slide rule video over -- and that’s some stiff competition

[slack-wise]

[slack-wise]

Hey!

Do you own a circular slide rule, or know someone who does? Maybe you have a box in the attic or a whole drawer of them.

I am working on an artist's book with one chapter dedicated to circular slide rules.

If you would like to help me out and get a credit in a really cool book then please scan your slide rule(s) and submit via the form on my site or you can email me [email protected].

Details and submissions at this link https://slackwise.org.uk/submit

Thank you!