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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Quoted in 1905

Here is an interesting New York Times article from their archives quoting a "Chicago Astronomer" on Sunspots...

The Chicago Astronomer lives on in perpetuity.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Early Chicago Astronomer Invents a New Calculating machine Circa 1898

I'm an abacus man myself...

[Centaur]

admin said:

Early Chicago Astronomer Invents a New Calculating machine Circa 1898

The article is describing a circular slide rule. The slide rule was invented in the 1620’s and the first circular one in 1630. When I was in high school and college we used slide rules constantly. Classrooms had huge ones above the blackboard for demonstrations by the teacher. Hand held calculators were not yet available. I even had a slide rule tie clip. We used circular ones when I worked briefly for the FAA in the early seventies estimating the times for aircraft to reach various points. The circular variety was generally less accurate than the linear due to slight jostling in the axis of the wheel.

I have to wonder if that “Chicago Astronomer” actually was issued a defendable patent or simply knew how to promote himself to the public through the press. That latter skill has been finely honed by many politicians in my native Chicago, including a not to be named mayor who forced himself to wear a Cub cap yesterday.

Portrait of William Oughtred (1575-1660)
English inventor of the circular slide rule

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I would like to see this new Calculating Machine the Chicago Astronomer invented.

Amazing that sliding sticks could be scribed with markings that when aligned just right...can get us to the moon.

Quite cool really...