I have an old slide rule, though it had already passed out of use by the time I got it. My father in law, a civil engineer, used one in his early work days but eventually went to HP calculators and later, of course, computers.
I know how to do some basic operations with it. It really is a feat of engineering and design, and I seriously suggest trying one out.
As Obi Wan might say: it was an elegant weapon, from a more civilized age.
gnabgib•1d ago