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There are not many specimens from Geo. W. Richardson Rule Works,
but his design style and short period of doing business is uniquely
Americana, and deserves his own gallery.
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Manual signed by the Inventor: George
W. Richardson Jan 11, 1910, "To Mr. Bronlow, with compliments of the
builder Geo, W, Richardson, Chicago, Illinois".
Popular Mechanics ad for his slide rule (was in manual).
Richardson Home at 4212 W 42nd Place, Chicago, as it is today
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The Slide Rule Simplified - 1918, 6th Edition Book
By George W. Richardson (16.6MB pdf)
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A letter of endorsement from George Richardson to The International
Correspondence Schools, of Scranton,
PA Dated April 5, 1920. Donated by Chris Spannbauer, Barre, VT.
George mentions being able to own a "Winton Six" automobile. An ad from 1914 shows what this car looked like.
1922 Gilson Catalogue (Niles, MI) with Richardson SR - 5.56MB PDF
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Richardson Death Notice, 1940
Complete Obituary Page
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Note: There has been much speculated about the relationship between Richardson and Gilson,
as both companies used at one time the "Be Wise" owl on the back of their manuals.
In the above endorsement to I.C.S., George mentions that he was able
to retire after selling his company,which had to be before the 1920 date. He
is obviously writing this endorsement after the sale in order to promote
his slide rule design for the new owners. Richard A. Gilson, son of of the
founder of Gilson Slide Rule Company, states in a letter to Bobby Feazel
(published by Oughtred Society Vol. 2, No. 2, 1993) that they made an 11" Richardson
straight rule for I.C.S. The only conclusion, therefore is that Gilson Slide Rule
Company purchased Richardson Rule Works prior to 1920. Both Richardson and Gilson were
family owned and run businesses, having created slide rules different from what was being
produced at the time. They would have been like minded and kindred spirits. George W. Richardson died
September 21, 1940, his obituary in the Chicago Tribune listed the same address was his business in 1911. I estimate he died at 75 years of age, having retired at 54 when he sold his business around 1919. This would put his birth around 1866. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War of 1898 and ended his Naval service, soon thereafter, as a Chief Electrician, beginning his formal education at 33. He married Clara Knief. He had a son, Harold K. Richardson and a grand daughter Lynn Clair (Richardson).
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Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule 1909
ISRM 04.10.21.01.X |
Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule - 1909
Made in USA - Aluminum sheet body - reinforced celluloid sheet slide.
Glass Block Cursor with two hairlines. This first designed was abandoned in 1910 for a less expensive version.
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D
Back: Problem Key Table for common equations.
Front Ad: George solicited more slide rules by advertising on front of stock.
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S497 Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule |
Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule - 1910 - Patent Pending
Made in USA - Aluminum sheet body - reinforced celluloid sheet slide.
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D
Plastic film Cursor with snap-over sheet metal frame
Back: Problem Key Table for common equations.
Archive - Donated to Smithsonian Museum, Washington,
DC
Complete Manual 9.89Mb
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S568 Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule |
Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule - Jan 31, 1911 Patent
Made in USA - Aluminum sheet body - reinforced celluloid sheet scales.
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D
Plastic film Cursor with snap-over sheet metal frame
Back: Problem Key Table for common equations.
Note differences on this production year:
Grommets on two piece reinforced celluloid and aluminum slide,
George's name less pronounced than before
Union label on back - The only slide rule known to have a union label
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P230 Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule (Pocket) |
Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading (Pocket)Slide Rule - 1912
Made in USA - Richardson Rule works - 1911/1912
Stock: Stainless Steel, Cursor: aluminum with clear celluloid lens,
Scales: Opaque printed celluloid, Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale
A [ B, C ] D
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S523 Richardson 812 Pantocrat Mannheim |
Richardson 812 Pantocrat Mannheim
Made in USA - all sheet steel construction
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale
Sin, A [ B, C
] D, Tan, Log
Back: Blank (label torn off)
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REF Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule |
Geo. W. Richardson's Direct Reading Slide Rule - 1912
Made in USA - Richardson Rule works - 1911/1912
Stock: Stainless Steel, Cursor: aluminum with clear celluloid lens,
Scales: Silksreen Aluminum, Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale
Sin, A [ B, C ] D, Tan, Log
Archive - Scan contributed by Peter Fox (UK)
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Richardson Rule Works 1776
ISRM 13.00.00.25 |
Richardson Rule works 1776 - Simplex
Made in USA - all sheet steel construction.
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale
K, Sin, A [ B, CI,
C ] D, Tan, Log
Back: Problem Key Table for common equations.
Ref:Cursor
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S285 Richardson 1776 Pantocrat |
Richardson 1776 Pantocrat - Patents 1911, 1912
Made in USA - all sheet steel construction.
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale
Sin, A [ B, CI,
C ] D, Tan, Log
Back: Problem Key Table for common equations.
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S414 Richardson 1776 Pantocrat Dual Slides |
Richardson 1776 Pantocrat Dual Slides
Made in USA - all sheet steel construction, interchangeable slides
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale (Slide #1)
K, A [ B, CI, C
] D, Tan, Log
Front Scale (Slide #2)
K, A [ C, LL1, LL2, LL3 ] D ] Tan,
Log
Back: Problem Key Table for common equations.
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S496 Richardson 1812 Pantocrat Mannheim
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Richardson 1812 Pantocrat Mannheim
Made in USA - all sheet steel construction
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale (Slide #1)
Sin, A [ B, ± (Log), C
] D, Tan, Log
Back: Blank
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Richardson Model 1812 Pantocrat Mannheim
ISRM 10.09.09.01
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Richardson Model 1812 Pantocrat Mannheim
Made in USA by Richardson Rule Works - all sheet steel construction
Keyed holes for conversions and solving problems.
Front Scale (Slide #1)
Sin, A [ B, ± (Log), C
] D, Tan, Log
Back: Missing Instruction Guide
Note: Company Markings at top mention Company name rather than "Direct Reading Slide Rule"
Donated by Bill Weinman in Eugene, OR (USA)
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Geo. W. Richardson Military 'Slide Rule Of 1917'
ISRM 04.11.09.01
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The Credits at the left are from Geo. Richardson's The Slide Rule Simplified. It reads:
by Geo. W. Richardson
Consulting Engineer
4212 24th Place - Chicago, U.S.A.
Ex-Chief Electrician U.S. Navy
Late Instructor of Engineering, Chicago Nautical School,
founded by Lieut. W.J. Wilson, U.S. Navy (resigned);
Active Member U.C.C. of E. Local No. 1, Chicago;
Active Member N.A.S.E. Local No. 1 Ill., Chicago;
Active Member I.U.S.E. Local No. 143 Ill, Chicago
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