With computers and computer aided design (CAD), most of these tools are now antiquated.
The compass was my dad’s; zooming in, you can see his initials etched on one of the “legs.”
The ruler was also my dad’s in college; note the “ENG DEPT” etched into it (“engineering”).
The slide rule and case were my great uncle’s. His name is on the outside of the case and on the inside flap as “GEORGE PETERS // S.A.E. HOUSE ‘36’,” as he was in the Michigan State class of 1936 and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
The X-acto knife set was Clare’s dad. Shoot, even the box is a work of art, no?
Underneath it all? A clear, plastic drafting triangle. That, I think, belongs to my younger daughter, going back to around the time she did a summer “architecture camp” at the university.
The circle-drawing tool? I don’t know whose this was, but I love the fact that it has the following printed on its face: “PENCIL ALLOWANCE ON ALL HOLES .040”. Inches, no doubt, but on all the labels these engineers used, ya gotta love the “all caps” lettering!
This is also an appropriate post to say thank you to “cohare” for all of her wonderful posts. It was a joy “following” her and her family for a year. Alas, she recently reached #365 and reported that she, too, has to step back from the daily commitment; if you’ve been following her, you understand. She’s one busy professional/parent. Anyway, thank you, Christine! This post is one I’ve had in mind to post and say thank you to you for being an important member of this community!
http://365project.org/cohare/365
Note: Not the same slide rule as
http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-02-10 — that one was Clare’s dad’s.
A year ago (“Too late for reflections today”):
http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-01-19 
![A ‘school photo’ portrait [Filler]](https://media.365project.org/1/9434205_hijklnqsv2_sq.jpg "A ‘school photo’ portrait [Filler]")
![On the monkey bars [Filler]](https://media.365project.org/1/9434496_eijmty2367_sq.jpg "On the monkey bars [Filler]")
@digitalrn I have a $5 yard sale slide rule that I take to the intro classes I teach to make a point about "protecting jobs." I also have my late father-in-law's and my great-uncle's. Now those two -- owned by professional, career engineers -- are precision instruments of their day. Clare's dad still had the instruction manual stored with his slide rule; that's just the meticulous, organized person he was. After he saw this post, my dad reported to me that he sold his "slip stick" when he moved at one point. If you ever find one, you'll find instructions many places online!