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Quite often circular or small slide rules will have company names on them. These are widely called advertising slide rules, but I think of them as 'gift' slide rules, that's because my Hughes-Owens catalogue calls them such.
As at 1958 , the date of my catalogue, none of these slide rules were available from Hughes Owens. I suspect them to be mid to late 60's examples. They are almost all two types of slide rules: either a variation of the popular Concise 28 circular , or UTO 601 linear models. Some are engraved on the reverse of the slide rules, others on the case.
These would make fine gifts, as they are pocket sized rules, convenient for carrying.
Hughes Owens 1958 catalog. H-O was a supplier of engineering supplies and services, including providing a variety of slide rules.
Page 99, bottom. The bottom of this page has instructions for those wishing to order "imprinted gift slide rules"
Concise 4028 circular rule. The leather sleeve is marked "Carveth Metallurgical Ltd". I haven't been able to find too much about this company. It appears to be (once was?) Toronto based, based on mentioned a research paper dated 2018.
Un-marked Concise circular rule. The slide rule is possibly another 4028, it has the same scales. The sleeve is marked "Canadian General Electric", which was operating using this name up to around 1998 (Wikipedia says Canadian General Electric became General Electric Canada in 1998).
Underneath the company name is written "Atomic <smudged> Dept".
Hughes-Owens 1760. This slide rule was made by Hemmi, having a "BEMAC" logo on the leather sheath. I don't have a know whether the firm still exists. Not sure what the company was. There are firms that have BEMAC in their names today, most are too recent for slide rules.
K+E 4153-1. "TIMKEN" is written on the sleeve. I suppose that to refer to this company: TIMKEN, which has a presence in Canada, and were around in the slide rule era, and whose customers would include engineers.
UTO No 601 Slide rule, with "York Steel Construction" Limited" on the sleeve and also on the reverse side of the rule. York Steel Construction was founded by Larry Tanembaum. It looks like it might now be a division in another company.
UTO No 601 marked "Compliments of Ian WM Martin, P. Eng.
It is remarkable to see a gift rule inscribed from an individual.
I assumed that since I picked it up nearby, it must have came from someone who actually lived in my general vicinity. A quick search on the internet found a local engineering firm online, "Ian Martin Group"... which specializes in skills resourcing for engineering and IT.
I contacted the firm to find out whether this SR related to anyone in that company and was pleased to learn that Mr. Ian W. Martin was the founder of the firm.
Diwa No 601 marked HILTI on the reverse in red, and also on the sleeve. Hilti remains in business and still uses the same branding shown on the slide rule. Hilti provides tools and support to the construction industry. I'd expect from it's condition and the modern brand that this slide rule may date to the last days of slide rule production.
Hemmi No 37 Sales Slide rule. The slide rule is labelled in Japanese, The sleeve appears to be a felt material.
I am unclear whether this is properly a gift slide rule, or just branded to be carried by an employee.The only gift slide rule I have which is obviously designed for sales. I assume that this is the Japanese bearing company NTN, which has subsidiaries in North America.
Maker/Model Unknown. The design is identical to the UTO 601.
Reverse showing the company logo. The company that I believe this refers to appears to no longer be operating. However there is a Cesco Electrical Supply company still operating, and it's possible that this was a 'doing business as' name for a Canadian branch of Cesco eletric at the time.
Hope No 57. This slide rule is marked with company contact information on reverse.
I was unable to locate a business with a name like "General Photogrammetric Services", but it may still be operating under a newer name.
Aristo No 89. This slide rule is marked FRORIEP on the reverse.
Froriep is likely now called Schiess-Froriep, a subsidiary of a well known machine tool manufacturer, Schiess AG. I located a company history from another subsidiary here
Model/maker unknown This slide rule is identical to the UTO 601, though; the sleeve is i unmarked.
The back side has Sheldons Engineering Limited, still operating today, not to far from where I live.
And finally, an ALCAN gift slide rule. I'll guess it might be made of Aluminum.
Concise 4028. Given it was found locally, I assume this the company was "Ontario Hydro", our provider of electricity at the time. 'Hydro' is a Canadian term for the our providers of electricity . As far as I know it's not used in that sense elsewhere.
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