Latest news with #FacitModelLX
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Science
- Daily Record
Machine that helped Neil Armstrong step on moon donated to Scottish museum
The Facit Model LX calculator, made in Sweden, belonged to Glasgow-born astronomer Professor Archie Roy A machine that helped Neil Armstrong make his "one small step" on the moon has been donated to a Scottish museum. The calculator was used by a Scottish scientist to help plot the path of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. The crucial gadget has been donated to National Museums Scotland ahead of the mission's 55th anniversary this month. The Facit Model LX calculator was built in Sweden between 1938 and 1954, and belonged to the late Professor Archie Roy, a renowned Glasgow-born astronomer and physicist. The machine played a key role in the calculations behind the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which saw Neil Armstrong become the first person to set foot on the moon, something he described as a "giant leap for mankind". Professor Roy was invited by NASA to act as a consultant on trajectory calculations, using the Facit to carry out work that helped guide the spacecraft to the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. The same calculator, which Roy first used during his PhD studies at Glasgow University in the 1950s, remained a key tool throughout his career until it was eventually replaced by electronic computers in the later 1960s. Professor Roy was educated at Hillhead High School before studying at Glasgow University, where he later became a lecturer and continued to teach for many years. His distinguished academic career spanned several disciplines, with research interests ranging from astrodynamics and celestial mechanics to archaeoastronomy and neural networks. He held numerous prestigious honours, including Fellowships with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the British Interplanetary Society. Professor Roy also had a keen interest in psychical research, serving as a Member and past President of the Society for Psychical Research, and as Founding President of The Scottish Society for Psychical Research. The historic Facit machine has now been added to the science and technology collections at National Museums Scotland, where it will sit alongside other key artefacts related to space exploration and astronomy. These include a prototype camera developed for use on the moon, and an analogue calculator once used to solve Kepler's equation. Dr Tacye Philipson, senior curator of science at National Museums Scotland, said the calculator is 'a wonderful addition' to the national collection. 'It is a visibly well-used piece of kit, reflecting Professor Archie Roy's long and productive career,' she said. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'Moreover, when we think of the array of computational power at our fingertips today with our phones and laptops, it is evocative to look at this completely analogue machine and think that it was instrumental in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements in human history, one unsurpassed and even unrepeated in over 50 years.' She added: 'Professor Roy's calculator gives us a tangible link to Scotland's part in that achievement.' Following his retirement in 1989, the machine was kept by Roy's close friend, the former Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor John Brown, who recognised its historical value. It was recently donated to National Museums Scotland by Roy's widow, Margaret Roy.
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Science
- Glasgow Times
Machine that aided moon landing acquired by Scots museum as anniversary nears
With the anniversary of the moon landing later this month, the Facit Model LX calculator, used by Scots scientist Archie Roy (1924-2012) during the mission, has been donated to National Museums Scotland. He was asked by Nasa to be a consultant on trajectory calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first humans landing on the moon on July 20 1969. Apollo 11 lifts off at Cape Canaveral (Alamy/PA) Prof Roy is thought to have acquired the mechanical calculator to enable him to complete his PhD, which he was awarded in 1954, and continued to use it through the 1960s until it was gradually superseded by electronic computers. The Facit Model LX calculator was manufactured in Sweden from 1938 to 1954. The one used by Prof Roy has been added to National Museums Scotland's science and technology collections, where it will be used to make connections with other material relating to space, astronomy and calculation, including a prototype camera designed for use on the moon, and an analogue calculator for the solution of Kepler's equation. After Prof Roy's retirement in September 1989, his friend and colleague, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, John Brown, recognised the calculator's significance to the history of science and held it for safekeeping before his widow Margaret donated it to National Museums Scotland. A close-up of the Facit Model LX calculator (Stewart Attwood Photography/PA) Dr Tacye Philipson, senior curator of science at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the National Collection for many reasons. It is a visibly well-used piece of kit, reflecting Professor Archie Roy's long and productive career. 'Moreover, when we think of the array of computational power at our fingertips today with our phones and laptops, it is evocative to look at this completely analogue machine and think that it was instrumental in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements in human history, one unsurpassed and even unrepeated in over 50 years. 'Professor Roy's calculator gives us a tangible link to Scotland's part in that achievement.'
Leader Live
17-07-2025
- Science
- Leader Live
Machine that aided moon landing acquired by Scots museum as anniversary nears
With the anniversary of the moon landing later this month, the Facit Model LX calculator, used by Scots scientist Archie Roy (1924-2012) during the mission, has been donated to National Museums Scotland. He was asked by Nasa to be a consultant on trajectory calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first humans landing on the moon on July 20 1969. Prof Roy is thought to have acquired the mechanical calculator to enable him to complete his PhD, which he was awarded in 1954, and continued to use it through the 1960s until it was gradually superseded by electronic computers. The Facit Model LX calculator was manufactured in Sweden from 1938 to 1954. The one used by Prof Roy has been added to National Museums Scotland's science and technology collections, where it will be used to make connections with other material relating to space, astronomy and calculation, including a prototype camera designed for use on the moon, and an analogue calculator for the solution of Kepler's equation. After Prof Roy's retirement in September 1989, his friend and colleague, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, John Brown, recognised the calculator's significance to the history of science and held it for safekeeping before his widow Margaret donated it to National Museums Scotland. Dr Tacye Philipson, senior curator of science at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the National Collection for many reasons. It is a visibly well-used piece of kit, reflecting Professor Archie Roy's long and productive career. 'Moreover, when we think of the array of computational power at our fingertips today with our phones and laptops, it is evocative to look at this completely analogue machine and think that it was instrumental in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements in human history, one unsurpassed and even unrepeated in over 50 years. 'Professor Roy's calculator gives us a tangible link to Scotland's part in that achievement.'
North Wales Chronicle
17-07-2025
- Science
- North Wales Chronicle
Machine that aided moon landing acquired by Scots museum as anniversary nears
With the anniversary of the moon landing later this month, the Facit Model LX calculator, used by Scots scientist Archie Roy (1924-2012) during the mission, has been donated to National Museums Scotland. He was asked by Nasa to be a consultant on trajectory calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first humans landing on the moon on July 20 1969. Prof Roy is thought to have acquired the mechanical calculator to enable him to complete his PhD, which he was awarded in 1954, and continued to use it through the 1960s until it was gradually superseded by electronic computers. The Facit Model LX calculator was manufactured in Sweden from 1938 to 1954. The one used by Prof Roy has been added to National Museums Scotland's science and technology collections, where it will be used to make connections with other material relating to space, astronomy and calculation, including a prototype camera designed for use on the moon, and an analogue calculator for the solution of Kepler's equation. After Prof Roy's retirement in September 1989, his friend and colleague, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, John Brown, recognised the calculator's significance to the history of science and held it for safekeeping before his widow Margaret donated it to National Museums Scotland. Dr Tacye Philipson, senior curator of science at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the National Collection for many reasons. It is a visibly well-used piece of kit, reflecting Professor Archie Roy's long and productive career. 'Moreover, when we think of the array of computational power at our fingertips today with our phones and laptops, it is evocative to look at this completely analogue machine and think that it was instrumental in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements in human history, one unsurpassed and even unrepeated in over 50 years. 'Professor Roy's calculator gives us a tangible link to Scotland's part in that achievement.'
South Wales Guardian
17-07-2025
- Science
- South Wales Guardian
Machine that aided moon landing acquired by Scots museum as anniversary nears
With the anniversary of the moon landing later this month, the Facit Model LX calculator, used by Scots scientist Archie Roy (1924-2012) during the mission, has been donated to National Museums Scotland. He was asked by Nasa to be a consultant on trajectory calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first humans landing on the moon on July 20 1969. Prof Roy is thought to have acquired the mechanical calculator to enable him to complete his PhD, which he was awarded in 1954, and continued to use it through the 1960s until it was gradually superseded by electronic computers. The Facit Model LX calculator was manufactured in Sweden from 1938 to 1954. The one used by Prof Roy has been added to National Museums Scotland's science and technology collections, where it will be used to make connections with other material relating to space, astronomy and calculation, including a prototype camera designed for use on the moon, and an analogue calculator for the solution of Kepler's equation. After Prof Roy's retirement in September 1989, his friend and colleague, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, John Brown, recognised the calculator's significance to the history of science and held it for safekeeping before his widow Margaret donated it to National Museums Scotland. Dr Tacye Philipson, senior curator of science at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the National Collection for many reasons. It is a visibly well-used piece of kit, reflecting Professor Archie Roy's long and productive career. 'Moreover, when we think of the array of computational power at our fingertips today with our phones and laptops, it is evocative to look at this completely analogue machine and think that it was instrumental in one of the most extraordinary technological achievements in human history, one unsurpassed and even unrepeated in over 50 years. 'Professor Roy's calculator gives us a tangible link to Scotland's part in that achievement.'
