This object is part of a collection relating to the history and development of calculating devices assembled by Assoc Professor Allan Bromley of Sydney University, comprising mathematical instruments, slide-rules, mechanical and electronic calculators, electronic analogue computers, computer components, kit computers, education computers, and associated ephemera.

Allan Bromley was a lecturer and researcher at the University of Sydney Basser Department of Computer Science from 1978 until his untimely death in August 2002. He specialised in Computer Architecture, Computer Logic and in particular the History of Computing. He was regarded as the world authority on Charles Babbage's Calculating Engines (instigating the building of the Difference Engine No.2 at the Science Museum London) and the Antikythera Mechanism and had extensive knowledge of calculators, analogue computers, logic, stereopsis, totalisators, clocks and time keeping and mechanical engineering.

Made by Aston & Mander for the British Military in 1914

Alidade, military, wood / brass, made by Aston & Mander Ltd, London, England, 1914

Rule, single-sided, wood to which brass end pieces that lift to 90 and act as sighting elements are bolted by four bolts each. Map reading scales are marked on each bevelled edge of the rule.

For military (gun laying) or survey use.
Used with a plotting table. The rule is laid on the plotting table upon which an ordnance survey map has been placed; a landmark is sighted using the visual cursor provided by the two end pieces so that the bearing of the landmark can then be accurately plotted onto the map.

Made: 1914

Aston & Mander Ltd, Makers, London, 1914 No. 1983 - Broadarrow in large "D"

2010/1/565

1914