slide for Barth's feed-speed slide rule
Datecirca 1921
Inventory Number1990-4-0058
ClassificationSlide Rule
Subject
Maker
Carl G. Barth
1860-1939
Associate Name
Frederick W. Taylor
1856-1915
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions0.6 x 48.3 x 2.5 cm (1/4 x 19 x 1 in.)
Material
DescriptionRectangular wooden slide faced with off-white paper.
An arrow pointing up is printed on the right side of the slide. The bottom edge of the slide is printed with two unlabeled scales. The leftmost scale has values 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B. The scale on the right has values 1C, 2C, 3C, and 4C.
An arrow pointing up is printed on the right side of the slide. The bottom edge of the slide is printed with two unlabeled scales. The leftmost scale has values 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B. The scale on the right has values 1C, 2C, 3C, and 4C.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedface, on left: S. 43
face, on right: 32LES
Curatorial RemarksProbably made in the same place as 1990-4-0043;
Probably made at the same time as 1990-4-0040;
To be used with 1990-4-0060;
Records indicate that Barth was working in Philadelphia at the time.
FunctionFor use in the power section of a feed-speed slide rule for drilling in steel.
The user inserts the slide into the appropriate groove of a steel feed-speed rule. He then uses the rule (see 1990-4-0038 for how to operate a similar device) to calculate the most efficient feed-speed setting combination for his machine.
The user inserts the slide into the appropriate groove of a steel feed-speed rule. He then uses the rule (see 1990-4-0038 for how to operate a similar device) to calculate the most efficient feed-speed setting combination for his machine.
ProvenanceThe papers and slide rules of Carl G. Barth and his son, J. Christian Barth, were transferred to the Baker Library of the Harvard Business School by J. Christian Barth in 1961.
The slide rules were transferred from Harvard Business School to the Collection of Historical Instruments in 1980.
Historical AttributesThis is part of a set of slide rules for machine shops designed by Carl G. Barth under Frederick Winslow Taylor's system of scientific management. Given the characteristics of a particular machine and a depth of cut, for example, a shop manager could quickly calculate the most efficient speed and feed settings using one of Barth's speed and feed slide rules. Other objects in the collection include slide rules for helical springs, belts, and gears, as well as jigs for making slide rules.
