Collection of pages from K&E catalogs for the 4053 Family of Slide Rules
Description:
The 4053 family of slide rules is of the Mannheim type. The 4053s were constructed on a mahogany frame with celluloid laminated to the surface except for the 5" rules which were made of plastic. The markings are engine divided except for the 5" rules.
The scale set for 1909 - 1921 is: 10 inch / A = B CI C = D ] K ----------- = S L T =
The scale set for 1922 - 1967 is: 10 inch / A = B CI C = D K] 25 cm ----- = S L T =
The scale set for 5 inch rules is: A = B CI C = D K ----------------------- = S L T =
The rear of the rule has conversion tables on it. The following models are part of the 4053 family and mainly vary in length:
- 4053 ----- 10"
- 4053-2 --- 8"
- N4053-2 - 8"
- 4053-3 --- 10"
- N4053-3 - 10"
- 4053-3F --10" with fine scale divisions the same as the 20" rule
- N4053-3F 10" with fine scale divisions the same as the 20" rule
- 4053-5 --- 20"
- N4053-5 - 20"
- 4153-1 --- 5" plastic
- 4153-1C - 5" plastic with belt clip on case
- 68 1607 -- 20"
- 68 1612 -- 20"
- 68 1617 -- 10"
- 68 1622 -- 10"
- 68 1643 -- 5" plastic
- 68 1648 -- 5" plastic
History:
The 4053 first appeared in the 1909 catalog as just a 10" rule with no dash number. The dash number scheme for designating length was introduced in 1913. The 4053 family was the first use of the dash number scheme. A 5" plastic version of the 4053 is listed in the 1972 catalog. The following is a brief history of the 4053 family of slide rules as is told in the K&E catalogs that are available at this time. Exact timing is not possible because of the time between catalogs.
- 1909 -- The 10" 4053 was introduced without a dash number.
Page from the 1909 catalog
- 1911 -- The full family was introduced with dash numbers for lengths and the F version. This appears to be the first use of dash numbers to designate length of the rule. This concept is used extensively in the rest of the slide rule line after 1921.
Catalog page from the 1911 catalog
- 1915 -- The "frameless" all glass cursor was introduced.
- 1922 -- The K scale was moved from the bottom edge to the front of the rule and a centi-meter scale was placed on the bottom edge..
- 1925 -- All of the 4053 model number designations were changed. The N prefix was added: N4053-2, N4053-3, N4053-3F, and N4053-5
- 1936 -- The improved metal framed cursor was introduced.
- 1939 -- Only the N4053-3, N4053-3F, N4053-5 appears in the catalog.
- 1942 -- Only the N4053-3 and N4053-5 are shown in the catalog.
- 1954 -- The model number of the N4053-3 was changed to 4053-3, the profile shape of the body was changed, and the conversion tables on the rear were printed directly without a paper label. The N4053-5 remained unchanged.
- 1959 -- The 4153-1 and 4153-C 5" plastic slide rules were first mentioned in the 1959 Price Sheet.
- 1960 -- A special brochure for pocket slide rules shows the 4153-1 and 4153-1C.
- 1962 -- The 4053 numbers were converted to the 68 series of numbers. The 20", 10", and 5" are described.
- 1972 -- Only the 5" Pocket rule was listed with a group of Pocket Slide Rules
Links to catalog pages for the 4053 family of slide rules:
Scans: Link to scans of 4053 Family of Slide Rules