Slide rule

This brass circular slide rule was made around 1850, probably by the firm of William Cary, a scientific instrument maker based in London, whose business continued after his death in 1825.

The rule is inscribed 'Cary London' and has four movable concentric rings with scales, sines on the outside and tangents on the outer third scale. The instrument is stamped below the centre, 'E. Sang', for the owner Dr Edward Sang (1805-91).

Sang was an eminent mathematician who was professor of mechanical philosophy at the University of Constantinople until the outbreak of the Crimean War.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-693-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1946.6
• Date: Around 1850
  c. 1850
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: Cary, London; E Sang [below centre]
  Slide rule, circular
  
• Dimensions: 5.00" D x 0.19" thick
  
• What: Slide rule, circular
  
• Subject: 19. MATHEMATICS (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Cary, London (Slide rule maker)
  E. Sang (Eponym ?)
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass circular slide rule, inscribed with the maker's name and below centre, E Sang, by Cary, London, c. 1850
  
• References:
  • Obituary of Edward Sang, in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Vol XIX (1891-2) pp 7-8 
• Translations:
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