P.I.C./ British Thornton Slide Rules

Founded in 1880 at 109 Deansgate, Manchester by Alexander George Thornton, the firm grew to become one of the largest manufacturers of drawing instruments and slide rules in Britain. The Precision Instrument Co was taken over in 1901 and PIC continued to be used by Thornton as a trade mark until about 1970. The firm became British Thornton in 1967 and merged with ESF at Burley in 1992. British Thornton is now a manufacturer of school furniture in Keighley.
See more Thornton Slide rules at David Riches' Mathmatical Instruments
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P.I.C. Pocket Mannheim c1920

ISRM 13.04.26.03
P.I.C. Pocket Mannheim
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Railroad Track scales
Front Scale
5inch // A [ B, C ] D|| 12cm
Back Slide: [ S, L, T ]

Gift of Phillip Rodley of UpperHutt, New Zealand
This slide rule and others in the ISRM archives and galleries were donated through the generosity and support of Phillip Rodley. Phil is very enthusiatic in finding slide rules in New Zealand that are not available to the rest of the world, and gifting them to ISRM. He enjoys the American brands that have leather sleeves and belt loops.



P.I.C. 131 Magnifier

REF
P.I.C. 131 Magnifier
Made in England by A.G.Thornton
Note: Cursor accessory for those weak in the eyes.


P.I.C. 10" R.A. Slide Rule

ISRM 20.08.07.03
P.I.C. 10" R.A. Slide Rule
Made in England by A.G.Thornton/PIC for Royal Artillery
Note cursor design
Front Scale (extended)
10in // A [ B, C ] D \\ 26cm
Back Scale: [ S, ST, T ]
Back: Triangulation guide for artillery.


P.I.C. "Junior" Mannheim

ISRM 22.03.01.41
P.I.C. "Junior" Mannheim
Made in England by A.G.Thornton/PIC.
Note: All glass cursor
Front Scale: A [ B, C ] D
Back Scale: [ S, L, T ]
Back: Blank
Gift Of Philip E. Stanley Collection


P.I.C. - I.C.S.- London

REF S424
P.I.C. - I.C.S.- London
Made in England by A.G.Thornton/PIC for I.C.S., London
Note cursor design
Front Scale (extended)
10in // A [ B, C ] D \\ 27cm
Back Scale: [ S, L, T ]
Back: Equivalents/Material Properties
Original Owner/Location: Unk/England


Thornton P.I.C. Early 10inch Mannheim

ISRM 21.08.04.01
Thornton P.I.C. Early 10inch Mannheim with Metal Cursor.
Made in England by A.G.Thornton. P.I.C. Trademark.
Note: Railroad Track scales. Riveted laminations. Closed trig windows.
Front Scale (extended): 10in // A [ B, CI, C ] D \\ 27cm
Back Scale: { S, L, T ]
Back: Equivalents/Material Properties
Original Kent, England


Thornton P.I.C.

REF S382
Thornton P.I.C.
Made in England by A.G.Thornton
Front Scale (extended)
10in // A [ B, CI, C ] D \\ 27cm
Back Scale: [ S, L, T ]
Back: Equivalents/Material Properties


P.I.C. 101

S278
P.I.C. 101
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided
, Pat 411090
Front Scale
27cm // A [ B, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] D, L \\ 10in
Back Slide: Blank
Back: Equivalents
Multiple hairlines


P.I.C. 101/PC8
P.I.C. 101/PC8
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided
, Pat 411090
Front Scale
10in // A [ B, RC, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] D, L \\ 27cm
Back Slide: Blank
Back: Equivalents
Multiple hairlines
Gift Of Mike Weaver UK


A.G. Thornton V.P.15 Pocket

REF
A.G. Thornton V.P.15 Pocket
Made in England by A.G.Thornton
Front Scale: 10cm // A [ B, C ] D \\ 4 inch
Back: Unknown
Archive - John Sykes Collection (UK)


A.G. Thornton V.P.104 Vest Pocket (1956)

ISRM 20.04.01.260
A.G. Thornton V.P.104 Vest Pocket dc11-56 Nov 1956
Made in England by A.G.Thornton. VP=Vest Pocket. RR track style scales
Front Scale: 5in // A [ B, C ] D
Back: Blank
Gift Of Philip E. Stanley, Worcester, Mass


A.G. Thornton V.P.114 Differential Trig Rietz Vest Pocket (1960)

ISRM 20.04.01.186
A.G. Thornton V.P.114 Differential Trig Rietz Vest Pocket c1960
Made in England by A.G.Thornton.
Front Scale: 5in // F (X3), A [ B, RC(CI), ISd, ITd, Td, Sd, C ] D, L
Back: Blank
Sleeve promo: "English Electric" Comercial Industrrial Peruana, S.A. (Peru, South America).
Gift Of Philip E. Stanley, Worcester, Mass


P.I.C. No. 121 Electro

ISRM 13.06.20.02
P.I.C. No. 121 Electro
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided, Pat 411090, 754938
Note: Railroad track style scales, metal framed cursor.
Front Scale (extended)
27cm // E1, E2, Int + A [ B, R, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] d + D, ƒ(s) \\ 10inch
Well: Blank
Back Slide: Blank
Back: Equivalents, Weights of materials
3 Full hairlines
Original Owner's Location: New Zealand
Gift of Phillip Rodley of Upper Hutt, New Zealand.


P.I.C. No. 121 Electro

ISRM 13.10.09.01
P.I.C. No. 121 Electro
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided, Pat 411090, 754938
Note: Railroad track style scales. Plastic framed cursor.
Front Scale (extended)
27cm // E1, E2, Int + A [ B, R, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] d + D, ƒ(s) \\ 10inch
Well: Blank
Back Slide: Blank
Back: Equivalents, Weights of materials
3 Full hairlines
Original Owner: G.F. Webb, New Zealand
Gift of Phillip Rodley of Upper Hutt, New Zealand.


P.I.C. No. 121 (PC18) Electro with folding Magnifier

ISRM 18.12.08.02.X

P.I.C. No. 121 (PC18) Electro with folding Magnifier
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided, Pat 411090, 754938
Note: Railroad track style scales. Plastic framed cursor.
Front Scale (extended)
27cm // E1, E2, Int + A [ B, R, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] d + D, ƒ(s) \\ 10inch
Well: Blank
Back Slide: Blank
Back: Equivalents, Weights of materials
3 Full hairlines
Gift of Phillip Rodley of Upper Hutt, New Zealand.



A.G. Thornton V.P.124 Differential Trig Log Log Vest Pocket (1956)

ISRM 20.04.01.186
A.G. Thornton V.P.124 Differential Trig Log Log Vest Pocket May, 1956
Made in England by A.G.Thornton. - Engine Divided - Pat 411090
Note: same scales as Thornton PIC 121.
Front Scale: 5in // E1(L1),E2(L2),A,Y [ B, RC(CI), ISd, ITd, Td, Sd, C ] D, f(x), F(K), Z
Back: 13cm [ Blank ]
Cursor: Multiple hairlines
Gift Of Philip E. Stanley, Worcester, Mass


P.I.C. 130 Pocket Electro

REF
P.I.C. 130 Pocket Electro
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided, Pat 411090
Front Scale
15cm // LL2, LL3, Int + A(Kw) [ B(hp), CI, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] d + D, K || 5 inch
Back Slide: Blank
Well: Dynamo-Motor Efficiency, Volt
Archive - Atsushi Tomozawa Collection


P.I.C. No. 131 Electro

ISRM 13.06.20.03
P.I.C. No. 131 Electro
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided, Pat 411090, 754938
Note: Railroad track style scales
Front Scale (extended)
27cm // E1, E2, Int + A(Kw) [ B(hp), R, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] d + D, ƒ(s) \\ 10inch
Well: Dynamo-Motor η=%, Volt
Note: Metal 'Pick' slide indicator hairline
Back Slide: Blank
Back: Equivalents, Weights of materials
Original Owner's Location: New Zealand
Gift of Phillip Rodley of Upper Hutt, New Zealand.


P.I.C. No. 131 /PC18 Electro

REF S376
P.I.C. No. 131 /PC18 Electro
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided, Pat 411090, 754938
Note: Railroad track style scales
Front Scale (extended)
27cm // E1, E2, Int + A(Kw) [ B(hp), R, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] d + D, ƒ(s) \\ 10inch
Well: Dynamo-Motor η=%, Volt
Note: Plastic slide indicator hairline
Back Slide: Equivalents, Weights of materials
3 Full hairlines
Original Owner/Location: S.Kacharya/England



Thornton P.I.C. No.251

ISRM 15.03.28.02
Thornton P.I.C. No.251
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Plastic Stock
Front Scale
25.5cm (M/ms), 10 Inches (1/20ths), DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, A, 10 inch (1/16ths)
Gift of Larry and Enid (Holzrichter) Hodes The Thornton belonged to Enid's father, Gerard H. Holzrichter (1912-1979), born in Passaic, NJ, the town in which he was raised. After graduating from high school, he studied at college, worked on a tramp steamer, and served with the Merchant Marine during World War II. After the war, he was a maintenance engineer for several large organizations in New Jersey and New York, and developed a specialty in operating commercial boilers and large steam distribution systems. He lived, and raised a family in Nutley, NJ. The attached photo is Gerard as a young man, some time prior to his marriage, Larry inherited the Thornton slide rule, one of his tools, when he died in March, 1979. Larry's Pickett 120 slide rule is in the Pickett gallery.


P.I.C. F3649

REF S280
P.I.C. F3649
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided
Front Scale
27cm // LL2, A [ B, CI, C ] D, LL3 \\ 10in
Back Slide: [ S, L, T ]
Back: Equivelants
Original Owner/Location: Unk/England


P.I.C. 3650 Electrical

REF S269
P.I.C. 3650 Electrical
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided
Front Scale (extended)
27cm // LL2, A(KW) [ B(HP), CI, C ] D, LL3 \\ 10in
Back Slide: [ S, L, T ]
Well: Dynamo/Motor%, Volts
Multiple hairlines
Original Owner/Location: Unk/England


P.I.C. 3654

ISRM 17.05.02.46
P.I.C. 3654
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided
Front Scale[Extended]
27cm // A [ B, CI, C ] D \\ 10in
Back Slide: [ S, L, T ]
Original Owner/Location: Mr. T. Warren/England (on sleeve)
Gifted by Mike Weaver, UK


P.I.C. 4457

REF
P.I.C. 4457
Made in England by A.G.Thornton - Engine Divided
Front Scale (extended)
13cm // A [ B, RC, C ] D \\ 5in
Back Slide: [ S, L, T ]
Archive - Tom Dilatush Collection


P.I.C. 221

REF S041
P.I.C. 221
Made in England by British Thornton
Front Scale
S, ST, T, A [ B, L, K, C ] D, DI, Ps, Pt
Back Scale
LL01, LL02, LL03, DF [ CF, CI, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] D, LL3, LL2, LL1
Multiple hairlines
Original Owner/Location: NIB/England


Thornton P221 Log Log Duplex

ISRM 17.12.17.08
Thornton P221 Log Log Duplex
Made in England by British Thornton
Front Scale
S, ST, T, A [ B, L, K, C ] D, DI, Ps, Pt
Back Scale
LL01, LL02, LL03, DF [ CF, CI, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] D, LL3, LL2, LL1
Multiple hairlines
Gift of James D. Pennell Collection


Thornton P.I.C. P241

ISRM 20.06.08.01
Thornton P.I.C. P241
Made in England by British Thornton (overall length 34.5cm)
Front Scale
LL2, LL3, L, A [ B, CI, ISd/ITd, Td/Sd, C ] D, S, ST, T
Back: Blank
Original Owner/Location: Unk/England
Gift of Gift Of Joanna M. Sawicka of Winchester, Massachussettes.


Thornton P271 Log Log (c1972)

ISRM 14.02.10.04

Jane gifted her father, Donald Northcote's slide rules which are shown in the ISRM Aristo and Blundell galleries. Her sister, Mary Northcote's slide rule is in the Hemmi gallery.
Jane Northcote
1972 and 2014
Thornton P271 Log Log
Made in England by British Thornton
Front Scale: LL2, LL3, L, A [ B, CI, ISd/Sd, Td/ITd, C ] D, S, ST, T
Back: Blank
Gift of Jane Northcote of London, England. along with others of her family
Jane Northcote (1955-) writer. Jane's photo (on left) is from 1972 when she first used this slide rule for her A-levels, and her Physics degree at Oxford University in the 1970s, where she gained a BA honours degree specializing in atomic and nuclear physics. She started as an engineer and integrated circuit designer. The digital telephone exchanges in the UK contain silicon chips that Jane designed. After moving through line management and sales, Jane joined CSC Index in 1990. This firm pioneered "Business Process Re-engineering" and Jane worked on a series of projects to implement large-scale change in international corporations in Europe. Jane has been an independent management consultant for fourteen years. Her clients include Fujitsu UK and Ireland, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Cable and Wireless, Goldman Sachs, BP plc, O2, and Eli Lilly. See her website. Jane's book, Making Change Happen is a practical guide to implementing business change. It was published in February 2008.


P.I.C. 281 Standard

REF S383
P.I.C. 281 Standard
Made in England by British Thornton
Front Scale
25.5cm, K, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, A, 10in
Back: Blank
Original Owner/Location: Unk/England


Thornton Manheim

REF S238
Thornton Manheim - Patent 173660
Made in England - AG Thornton, Manchester
Front Scale
25cm // A [ B, C ] D || 10in
Back Scale: [ S, L, T ]
Well: 21 inch ruler extension
Multiple (3) hairlines
Original Owner/Location: Unk/England


AA010 Comprehensive

REF S098
British Thornton AA010 Comprehensive
Made in England
Front Scale
S, ST, T, A [ B, L, K, C ] D, DI, Ps, Pt
Back Scale: Blank
LL01, LL02, LL03, DF [ CF, CI, ISd/ITd, Td/SD, C ] D, LL3, LL2, LL1
Original Owner/Location: UNK/England


British Thornton AD050 Log Log

REF S040
British Thornton AD050 Log Log
Made in England
Front Scale
LL2, LL3, L, A [ B, CI, C ] D, S, ST, T
Back Scale: Blank
Original Owner/Location: UNK/England


British Thornton AD060 Standard

ISRM 12.03.02.18
British Thornton AD060 Standard
Made in England
Front Scale
25.5cm, K, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, A, 10in
Back Scale: Blank
Donated by Richard Davis, Las Vegas, Nevada
Richard is a retired Electronics Engineer in the semiconductor industry. He is a collector and Fellow of the Oughtred Society.Collects most all slide rules, has a comprehensive collection of Reiss mill finish aluminum slide rules, but prefers the spiral scale cylindrical versions. He has donated many slide rules to support the ISRM Slide Rule Loaner program.


British Thornton AD070

ISRM 16.07.28.01


Carol Summers 1970 (age 14) and 2016
Instruction Manual (9.8Mb PDF)
British Thornton AD070 (c1971)
Made in England
Front Scale
K, A [ B, CI, C ] D, L
Back Scale: Blank
Donated by Carol Summers of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK
Carol writes: "This British Thornton AD 070 was used during my mathematics lessons in school during 1971-72. I attended Heronswood School in Welwyn Garden City between the ages of 11 and 16 years of age. This particular slide rule was recommended to us by our mathematics teacher, and was bought through the school mathematics department. I have to admit that it probably wasn't used very much! I left school in 1972 and it has not been used since." I was born Carol Castle in Welwyn Garden City in April 1956 and have spent almost my entire life living there. I celebrated my 40th wedding anniversary in 2015. Initially I worked in offices in secretarial roles and various part-time roles while my children were young. In 1992 I began training as a Registered Nurse at my local Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, and since 2000 I have worked in my local General Practitioner surgery as a Practice Nurse."


British Thornton AD150 Advanced

ISRM 13.07.03.24
British Thornton AD150 Advanced
Made in England - 36cm[14.25in] long
Front Scale
LL1, LL2, LL3, A [ B, CI, K, C ] D, S, ST, T
Back Scale: Blank
Donated by Daniel Swerdlow, Bethesda, Maryland
Daniel Swerdlow is a second-generation engineer from New York City and has degrees in electrical engineering from New York University and Michigan State University. He has done telecommunications engineering for major corporations and currently lives in the Washington, DC area and works at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Dan has gifted most of his collection to ISRM to support the museum. Many specimens may be found in the various ISRM galleries.


British Thornton AD160

REF S467
British Thornton AD160
Made in England
Front Scale
K, DF [ CF, CI, C ] D, A
Back Scale: Blank
Original Owner/Location: D.Wilson/England


British Thornton Nautical Speed Rule

REF
British Thornton Nautical Speed Rule
Made in England to 0552/1448 standard
Front Scale
Minutes or D Long [ Sea Miles (Distance) or Knots (Speed) ] Hours-Days (Time)
Back Scale
Instructions [ Latitude ] Instructions, con't.
Archive - Not in Collection


Thornton F5100 Black Body Radiation Slide Rule

REF
Thornton F5100 Black Body Radiation Slide Rule
To determine the radiation from 1 cm2 of a back body
Made in England. for Admiralty Research Laboratory, Teddington.
Front Scale
PHOTONS g, f, 100e e [ h, i, j, l, k, m ] d, c, b, a ENERGY
Back Scale
Log scales [ n, p, o, r, q, s ] Instructions and tables
Archive - Scan by Steve Seale Collection, Nashville, Tennessee

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