Collection of pages from K&E catalogs for the 4054 family
Description:
The 4054 family of slide rules is of the Mannheim type. The 4054s were constructed on a
non-adjustable wood frame with
celluloid laminated to the surface. The markings are engine divided.
It is theorized that the 4054 descended from the "American" slide rule by
K&E. The 4054 is identical to the "American" except that the "American" does
not have a model number mark, the cursor is of the same construction but
somewhat wider, there is an extended centimeter scale on the inside of the
frame, and the name "American" is on the case. It is also theorized that the
"American" was the first slide rule by K&E that was actually manufactured in
the USA.
The 4054 had two distinctly different issues. The rule as seen from 1899 to 1925 was a subset of the 4041.
The wood frame was made of boxwood. It
had a cheaper metal formed cursor with glass from 1900 to 1914. The cursor
was changed to an all glass cursor in 1915. The inch and centimeter scales on the edges
were not laminated with the printing being directly on the wood.
The scale set:
A = B C = D
= S L T =
The rule as seen from 1944 to 1952 was a subset of the 4053. It had the standard metal rimmed cursor. The inch
and centimeter scales on the edges were removed.
The scale set:
A = B CI C = D K
= S L T =
History:
The following is a brief history of the 4054 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.
First Issue of the 4054: The 4054 Favorite Slide Rule: The 4054 was first introduced
as the 1748-3 in 1899 and was called "Favorite" until 1925.
Catalog page from the 1903 K&E catalog
- 1899 -- The slide rule was first introduced as model
number 1748-3.
- 1901 -- The model number was converted from 1748-3 to 4054.
- 1925 -- The first version of the 4054 was last shown in 1925.
Links to catalog pages for the first issue of the 4054 family of slide rules:
Second Issue of the 4054: The 4054 Polyphase Slide Rule: The 4054 model number
was reused but was named "Polyphase". It has the scale set of a 4053-3 without the inch and centimeter
scales on the edges. A new stamped frame cursor is also used.
Catalog page from the 1944 K&E catalog
- 1944a - The second version of the 4054 was introduced.
- 1952 -- The 1952 price list mentions the 4054 but
shows "temp disc." instead of a price.
- 1954 -- The 4054 was not shown after 1952.
Links to catalog pages for second issue of the 4054 family of slide rules:
Scans: Scans of 4054 Family
of Slide Rules