An abacus used at the NIH? Yes, by Dr. Wallace P. Rowe of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). According to Dr. Janet Harley (NIAID), Rowe used this abacus for many years “in making rapid calculations for data analysis—before and even after hand calculators were readily available.” His use of this calculation aid is of interest because many of Rowe’s research contributions had important and fairly sophisticated mathematical aspects. Rowe (1926–1983), chief of NIAID’s Laboratory of Viral Disease, was the first to isolate an adenovirus from patients, and he helped to clarify its role in respiratory disease. Adenoviruses mainly cause respiratory illnesses but can also cause other infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis). They get their name from the human organ they were isolated from: adenoids. Rowe also described the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of these infections. Learn more about how an abacus works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvsnftXXKdw. [01.0010.002]
This slide rule was “especially designed for the Merchant, Importer, Exporter, Accountant, Manager, Mechanic, Foreman, and others, whose computations involve only multiplication, division, proportion, and percentage.” (Keuffel & Esser Co. Catalogue, 38th Edition, 1936) This model includes DF, CF, CI, C, and D scales. Dr. Robert L. Berger, who owned this rule, began his career at the NIH in 1962 in the Laboratory of Technical Development, NHLBI. Over the course of 40 years, Berger developed a number of instruments used by scientists at the NIH. He holds two U.S. patents: the first in 1988 for the computer-controlled all-tantalum stopped-flow micro calorimeter; and the second in 1992 for the high-resolution digital thermometer. This thermometer could measure temperature differences to several micro-degrees centigrade and is a forerunner of the digital thermometers used today for cooking and taking temperatures. This slide rule is one of several belonging to Berger in the NIH Stetten Museum collection. See also 05.0014.003, Eugene Dietzgen Co. Midget Slide Rule and06.0005.001 Eugene Dietzgen Co. The Binary Slide Rule. [95.0006.003]
A circular slide rule eliminates the problem of calculations running off the scale, as the scale has no end. This slide rule is one of the commonly used 6-inch slide rules, equivalent to a 14-inch straight slide rule in calculation power. John R. Dempster of Berkeley, California, filed the first patent filed for a circular slide rule on April 30, 1928; the patent was issued on March 15, 1932. This rule belonged to Dr. Wallace P. Rowe, chief of the Laboratory of Viral Diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He was the first to isolate an adenovirus from patients and helped to clarify its role in respiratory disease. Adenoviruses mainly cause respiratory illnesses but can also cause other infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis). They get their name from the human organ they were isolated from: adenoids. Rowe also described the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of these infections. [01.0010.001]
