Resurrecting a classic “analog computer” from the 1960s …
The Tektronix Circuit Computer has been designed to compute … problems involving resistance, inductance, capacitance, frequency, and time.
Instruction Manual, 1961
Classic Version
Rarely available as a “collectable” on your favorite auction site: timing is everything if you want one!
The vintageTEK Museum has a scanned copy of the original manual:
Homage Version
Updated for the modern age, where “hertz” has replaced “cycles / sec” and we say “nanofarad” rather than “millipicofarad”. Laser-printed or CNC-plotted, laminated, then laser-cut, because that’s how we do things nowadays.
I think the red cursor looks better.
Instructions
The original instructions printed on the bottom deck assumed you owned a slide rule and knew how to use it. These revised instructions describe how to solve those pesky resistance-capacitance-inductance-time equations, even if it’s been a while since you last touched a slipstick.
The QR code printed on the back brings you here: it is not original!
Pickett Variation
If you grew up with a Pickett “eye saver” slide rule, you may prefer a yellow background.
Plotter Variation
Nothing beats a pen plotter for genuine old-school appearance. The tick marks seem a little thicker and the lettering may have a few imperfections, but they just exude engineering prowess.
Available with either plain white or Pickett yellow decks.
Availability
Unlike the original Tektronix Circuit Computer, these are hand-made one-at-a-time items.
You can make them yourself by starting with my GCMC source code and consulting my blog posts to avoid many dead ends.
Let me know if you develop an overwhelming desire for an assembled and tested version.
The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning 