Rare English version with instruction case

Fuller, John E. ; Palmer, Aaron

Fuller's Time Telegraph and Palmer's Computing Scale : Fuller's Telegraphic Computer with Portfolio and Instructions [ Full Size, Rare English Edition ]

[ New York and Boston ]: John E. Fuller [ circa 1861 ]. An early two sided American made circular slide rule with scarce instruction portfolio. 11 5/16 inches by 11 5/16 inches by 5/16 inches thick (1/2 inch thick enclosed in the portfolio). A few stains, minor soiling, and some wear at the corners. The cloth portfolio case has been rebacked and the instruction section professionally reattached to the case. Paper repair to rear folding plate. Constructed of three layers of board - the center board solid and the outer two boards with circular (volvelle) cutouts, the whole secured with a metal rivet and decorative “tartan” paper affixed around the edges. Each side covered with a different lithographed sheet with a circular cut matching the underlying volvelle.

One side contains “Palmer's Computing Scale Improved by Fuller”, engraved by George G. Smith, 186 Washington St, Boston. (Entered according to Act of Congress 1843 by Aaron Palmer in the Clerk's office of the District Court State of Massachusetts) and (“by J. E. Fuller 1847” in the Southern District of New York). The second side contains “Fuller's Time Telegraph.” entered according to Act of Congress 1845 by John E. Fuller in the clerks office in the State of Massachusetts and a notice that it too was engraved by GG Smith, Boston. Good. Boards. [20011]


Palmer's Computing Scale is one of the most desirable instruments for those who collect early American Slide Rules and calculating devices. It was designed by Mr. Aaron Palmer and Mr. George G Smith in early 1841. A prototype was shown in early 1842, and later in Boston in the fall of 1843 - the First American Slide rule. Feazel notes that the rule's first commercial appearance was in January 1844. The first version of the circular rule had a front volvelle, and instructions printed on the rear. Mr. John E. Fuller purchased the copyrights to the device from Palmer, and in 1845 copyrighted the Time Telegraph. This second volvelle or circular rule device was affixed to the rear of Palmer's Computing Scale, and "how to" instructions were provided in a separate cloth case with foldout and instructions.

This new instrument is proudly trumpeted by Fuller in the often missing instruction portfolio as a "TELEGRAPHIC COMPUTER". This usage is one of the first times that a device, rather than a person, is referred to as a "computer". Previously, people who sat at their desks and performed computing operations were called computers.

There were various versions of this instrument produced from 1845 to 1871. Colin Barnes (Slide Rule Gazette, Issue 6, Autumn 2005) notes initially these were only known in the United States. But he later discovered several examples in the Whipple Museum (Cambridge, England), which had telltales indicating that they were also available in England. Among other things [as in this example], the scales have tartan designs around the edges, and have a new scale and notation on the face "or Pounds, Shillings & Pence."

We offer here an example of the rare English edition (the first we've seen), with the ever elusive instruction portfolio. The tartan pattern around the edge of the Scale is the first of the three examples in Barnes' article. The portfolio has minor textual changes on the covers, and the instruction book is 22 pages rather than the usual 14. We believe it dates to circa 1861, as Hamlin is noted as Vice President under Lincoln.

The specific arrangement of this example we find poorly conceived, since unlike the earlier Palmer and Fuller scales, there are no finger slots or knobs to facilitate turning of the volvelles. When, as here, the inside and outside pieces fit too snugly, it takes some flexing and judicious movement in order grab the edge of either wheel to turn the scales. As a practical matter this precludes regular use. We cannot imagine that this design flaw would have gone un-noticed for more than a very short time, leading us to believe this example is either very early in the production run, or perhaps even a salesman's sample.

Origins of Cyberspace #s 302, 353. Journal of the Oughtred Society Vol 3 No 1 and Vol 4 no 1.

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