[Bounced2X]

Had to learn how to use a slid rule in high school science class. There were no computers. Desk tops, lap tops were far into the future.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Computers were large and cumbersome when we were in high school, but most large companies had them. Smaller companies purchased services from data processing companies. Mainframe time costs more per hour (in nominal dollars) than a laptop costs today, and had only a fraction of the processing power. And today's software is miles ahead of yesteryear's.

"Say, Bob, can you please mount the FORTRAN 66 compiler?"

[DUMBGRUNT]

—”There were no computers. Desk tops, lap tops were far into the future.”

And when TI finally came out with a scientific pocket calculator, I was too cheap to purchase one, plus I was never wild about RPN.

As a trainee, I worked for slide rule wizards!
True math masters at that time.

[Myrddin]

Had to learn how to use a slid rule in high school science class. There were no computers. Desk tops, lap tops were far into the future.

I purchased my first slide rule in high school. As I started college at UCSD, I had a 4 function Radio Shack calculator and my slide rule. I used the slide rule for a first approximation of a square root and successive approximation with my 4 function calculator, pencil and paper. The physics classes required a fairly precise answer. It was difficult to compete at times with classmates who had HP-35/HP-45 calculators. One button happiness. At the end of my first year at UCSD, I was able to afford a Casio scientific calculator that included factorial functionality. A huge win for my genetics probability courses.

My Post slide rule is still in my desk drawer.