Bissaker’s Slide Rule, Essay Example

This mathematical instrument was created by Robert Bissaker in 1654, though it was imperfect. A latter version of the instrument used by William Oughtred employed logarithmic and trigonometrical scales that could move with relative to one another. The logarithmic scales employed in the instrument are based on logarithmic rules devised by Edmund Gunter.

Instrument Features and Specifications

The original 1654 version of the instrument was made out of boxwood fitted with binders made of brass. It is 2 ft. in length with a cruciform slide on the 22mm square cross section. The scales employed on the instrument are logarithmically distributed with approximately 9500 ciphers, divisions, dots and letters (Backmann).

Bissaker arranged 16, mainly trigonometrical scales on four sides of the instrument. The instrument has three unique scales found on the inner faces of the slide. These unique scales were created with the intention of being used together with a unique cross or vane to calculate the height of the sun, moon and stars (Backmann). This highlights the instrument as an originally combined instrument that enabled a navigator to accomplish necessary calculations using a single instrument. It was supposedly used with the Gunter’s cross-staff.

Brunsviga Calculating Machine

This mathematical instrument is fundamentally an Odhner style machine (miniaturized pin weheel). Created by in 1892 and designed in 1890 by W.T. Odhner was used to execute basic arithmetic functions (Retro Calculators). This instrument was largelky regarded as the most portable mechanical calculating machine in the early 20^th century.

Instrument Features and Specifications

The Brunsviga calculating machine was designed and built on a wooden base with a sheet-metal cover. The nine setting levers have 9mm spacing centers while there are 71mm diameter rotor disks. The top section of the machine is the moveable carriage which has two displays, (1) the counter register with 10 places, and (2) the accumulator with 18 places (Retro Calculators). Notably, the ten-carry mechanism of the instrument can only cover 10 places out of the available 18in the accumulator.

The lower parts of the machine can slide up 7 places and from left to right. This section fo the machine has the 13-digit running total display. The machine also has only 9 setting levers, a user could work with figures and perform multiplications on the power of ten to as far as nine trillion. However, a user could also execute very precise arithmetic calculations by keeping track of the left-right sliders depicting the decimal place.The carriage is manually put in place by discharging the latch and moving it to the desired position. The carriage can then be cleared by the use of large wing nuts that are on both sides of the machine.

The machine has one unique feature that sets it apart from other mechanical calculators produced in the same era; when the running total of the arithmetic problem in question crosses from positive to negative, a small bell would ring to signify this change. A user turns the pinwheel at the top and sides of the machine so as to input the parameters of the desired arithmetic calculation. As the wheel turns, producing a “clickety clack” sound, the result of the arithmetic calculation is shown on the bottom section of the machine with a “ping” sound. This function was also available when the values changed from negative to positive.

The earlier version of the machine (produced in 1892) has two safety locks that are meant to prevent damage to the instrument as a result of misoperation (Retro Calculators). This was designed by installing a mechanism that connect the carriage with the rotors. This prevents either of the rotors from moving unless one of them is placed in the lock position. Another mechanism connects the accumulator clearing mechanism with the rotor. This function was largely limiting as the accumulator could only be cleared if, and only if the carriage is in the farthest position to the left. This mechanism was eliminated in latter versions of the instrument.

Medicine and Technology

Technology is an important aspect of the human civilization. Every era in civilization has been judges by the level of technology at the given time. While technology advances with each passing day, it becomes integral to the realization of desired goals and objective in the information age.

Technology brings changes, improvements and advancements that make life more comfortable and easier to navigate through. Medical advancements for instance have made it easier to resuscitate life, cure diseases and in general preserve the most precious thing to all human beings, Life. For example, Henry Ford Hospital has designed and made a novel operating room with 3-dimensional technology that takes modern robotic surgery to new levels. Surgical teams are now performing robotic surgery for prostate cancer with enhanced efficiency, comfort and communication using this unique technology. The whole surgical crew works in 3-D wearing exceptional polarized glasses, assisted by two 60-inch by 80-inch flat projection screens, advanced lighting, and a data monitoring and intercom system. This has made surgeries very convenient and safe by ensuring accuracy and eliminating human error.

A good example of the impact that technology has had on medicine can be seen in the Milton-Roy Model-A Home Dialysis Machine. This is renowned as the world’s first kidney machine used for home dialysis. This machine was first used to execute a successful home dialysis in 1964. While the machine was built based on a prototype known as the “Mini-1”. The designer, Albert “Les” Babb made it for Caroline Hem, his best friend’s daughter.

The Model A was one of the pioneering single patient systems that employed negative pressure. The machine was specifically made with a wooden finish to give it the look of ordinary household furniture for use at home. This piece of machinery was fitted with a solid-state logic, acoustic tile interior for noise reduction and a programmed hot water disinfection unit that maintained temperatures of 90? C.

Science Meets Medicine

Over the past two centuries, there have been great advancements in science. While these advancements have caused tremendous impact in numerous facets of life, medicine and biology have most benefited from these scientific discoveries. One of the greatest discoveries of the 20^th century was radioactivity.

Radioactivity is a modern day marvel for science owing to the strides made in development and technology with the help of radioactivity (The Science Museum). Initially, scientists knew very little about the structure, function and behaviors of atoms. One of the most significant individuals to have assisted in radioactivity-related discoveries was Marie Curie.

Marie Curies started in pursuit of understanding radioactivity during her doctoral thesis. She studied rays emitted from Uranium salts. She discovered that the level of radioactivity she could detect was directly proportional to the amount of uranium salts that she had in the sample. Furthermore, the rays emitted from the uranium salts did not change, regardless of change in form or condition.

Oblivious to the effects caused by radiation, curie would spend hours with test tubes of pure radium in her pocket. This prolonged exposure to radioactive material gradually took a toll on her health. She suffered and died of aplastic anemia in 1934. Curies extended exposure to radioactivity led to her death even though she ever really recognized any and all of the health risks that are associated with the use and handling of radioactive material.

Works Cited

Backmann, Erik. “The slide rule – a forgotten tool.” 1 November 2014. Powerhouse Museum Collection. Internet Source. 13 November 2014. <http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/theme,805,The_slide_rule_-_a_forgotten_tool>.

Retro Calculators. “Brunsviga Midget.” 1 March 2014. RetroCalculators. Internet Source. 13 November 2014. <http://retrocalculators.com/brunsviga-midget.htm>.

The Science Museum. “Science meets medicine.” 1 June 2010. Making the Modern World. Internet Source. 13 November 2014. <http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/stories/the_second_industrial_revolution/02.ST.05/>.

Wolff, John. “Brunsviga Calculators.” 22 December 2012. John Wolff’s Web Museum. Internet Source. 13 November 2014. <http://www.johnwolff.id.au/calculators/Brunsviga/Brunsviga.htm>.