When I was in junior high school, the math teacher brought in a slide rule. Being a curious kid, I immediately wanted one. I have always been fascinated with technology, and at the time that slide rule looked really cool! I asked the teacher, Mr. Meacham, if I bought one would he allow me to use it in class and he said yes. I called around to find where I could buy my very own slide rule. Salt Lake Blueprint and Supply Co had a small slide rule that I could afford. With information in hand I talked Mom into driving me down to State Street to buy my new calculating “machine”. It was a Pickett 160 Microline. It had K, A, B, CI, C, D, and L scales. The next time I had math class I was really excited to take it in and show Mr. Meacham. To my dismay when I showed it to him he told me I couldn’t use it in class after he previously said I could. I was really disappointed that a teacher would do that to me. I assume that he was just being flippant when I originally asked, not thinking I would be able to find and buy my own slide rule. I have held onto it today. To me it represents not only the technology at that time, my persistence in finding and buying one, but also a lesson in how not to treat someone who respects you and goes the extra mile to achieve.
The Pickett 160 Microline was a compact 5-inch (pocket-sized) slide rule produced by Pickett & Eckel in the 1960s. My example is made of laminated plastic with a white matte finish and a clear plastic cursor — lighter and more affordable than Pickett’s aluminum models. It was designed for students and professionals needing a portable calculating tool. It was part of Pickett’s popular “Microline” series, known for durability and clear engraving. This model has scales only on the front face.
The Pickett 160 featured these main scales on the front:
It could perform:
While not as advanced as larger 10-inch rules or duplex models (which have scales on both sides), its compact size and front-only layout made it perfect for carrying in a shirt pocket or notebook.
In the mid-1960s, the Pickett 160 retailed for approximately $5.95 to $7.95 (roughly $55–$75 in 2026 dollars). It was one of the more affordable slide rules, making it accessible to students. It was commonly sold at blueprint supply stores, school bookstores, and mail-order catalogs.
Pickett & Eckel was founded in 1943 in California and became one of America’s leading slide rule manufacturers. They pioneered all-aluminum construction for durability and lightness in their premium lines. Pickett rules were used extensively in schools, NASA (astronauts carried them on Apollo missions), and by engineers. The company produced millions of slide rules before electronic calculators largely replaced them in the 1970s.
The Pickett 160 Microline is more than a calculating tool to me — it’s a reminder of youthful curiosity, persistence, and a lesson in keeping your word. Even though I was never allowed to use it in class, I kept it all these years. In the MicroBasement, it stands as a symbol of the pre-digital era of computation and the simple joy of discovering technology on your own.