Stepped Drum Calculating Machines

The distinguished mathematician and philosopher Gottfried William Leibniz started thinking about stepped drum calculating machines in the 1670s, and an eighteenth century instrument built on his design survives. However, it was the French insurance executive Charles Xavier Thomas (1785-1870) who invented and sold the first commercially successful calculating machine. Proposed in 1820, it would sell successfully from about 1850.

Thomas’s calculating machine, which he dubbed the arithmometer, had cylindrical brass drums, each with nine teeth that varied in length.  If a setting lever was at “9”, it engaged nine teeth, at 8, eight teeth and so forth. This stepped drum mechanism would be modified over time, with different metals used for the stepped drums, much of the drum cut away, and different arrangement of the teeth on the gears. Nonetheless, the stepped drum survived as part of some calculating machines as long as they were manufactured.

This is the oldest surviving example of the type of stepped drum calculating machine constructed under patents obtained by the Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas of the French town of Colmar in 1820.
Description
This is the oldest surviving example of the type of stepped drum calculating machine constructed under patents obtained by the Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas of the French town of Colmar in 1820. Machines that could do arithmetic automatically were built as mechanical marvels in the 1600s on the design of mathematicians such as Blaise Pascal and Gottfried Leibniz. However, it was only with the introduction and improvement of the machine of Thomas that calculating machines became part of the world of practical calculation. The instrument was made for Thomas by the Parisian mechanician and clockmaker Devrine. Thomas arithmometers, as the machines were called, became the first commercially successful calculating machines.
The brass machine fits snugly in a wooden case covered with red shagreen and lined with green fabric intended to look like velvet - the fabric may be a synthetic fiber. It has three levers that are moved back to enter digits on brass stepped drums. A fourth lever, to the left of these, is labeled Multiplication, and used to determine the number of times the stepped drums rotate. Hence in this early machine, Thomas attempted direct multiplication by a single digit. This feature would not be successfully used in calculating machines until the late 19th century.
In back of the digit levers is a movable carriage with a row of six pairs of windows. Beneath each pair is a button. The levers are labeled: Unités, Dixaines, and Centaines. The pairs of windows are labeled: Unité, Dixaine, Centaine, Mille, Dix Mille, and Cent Mille.
Beneath each window is a numeral wheel. Two sets of digits are marked on each wheel, one in black and the other in red. Shifting a lever on the right of the carriage to “add e multiplication” opens six windows to show in black digits the result of addition and multiplication problems. In the other positions, six windows open to show in red digits the result of division and subtraction problems. Beneath the windows are thumbscrews for zeroing the result digits one at a time. There is no revolution register.
Pulling a red ribbon operates the machine. Pulling a shorter ribbon attached to the front assists in removing it from the case. Later Thomas machines would be crank-operated. The lid of the case has a brass handle, lock, and key. Part of the right side of the case turns down to allow for the motion of the carriage.
A mark on the left of the levers reads: Arithmomètre (/) du Chr. Thomas de Colmar (/) Par Brevet d’invention (/) Devrine fecit. A mark on a button at the front of the machine reads: Régulateur. A mark on the top of the lid reads: ARITHMOMÊTRE (/) De MR. LE CHER THOMAS DE COLMAR.
The machine is not identical to that shown in the drawings of Thomas’s 1820 patent. It resembles the drawings made in 1821 for a report by Hoyau published in 1822.
References:
Stephen Johnson, “Making the Arithmometer Count,” Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, No. 52, 1997, 12–21.
“Rapport fait par M. Francoueur. . .,” Bulletin de la Société d'Encouragement pour l’Industrie Nationale, 21, 1822, pp. 33–36.
Charles-Xavier Thomas, “1420,” 18 Novembre 1820. This is the number of Thomas’s 1820 French patent.
Hoyau, “Description d’une machine à calculer nommée Arithmomètre. . . ,” Bulletin de la Société d'Encouragement pour l’Industrie Nationale, 21, 1822, pp. 355–365.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1820
patentee
Thomas, Charles Xavier
maker
Thomas, Charles Xavier
ID Number
1987.0731.02
catalog number
326649
accession number
1987.0731
This stepped drum, manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass mechanism that fits well in a wooden case. Eight levers slide up to enter digits. A stepped drum is below each lever.
Description
This stepped drum, manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass mechanism that fits well in a wooden case. Eight levers slide up to enter digits. A stepped drum is below each lever. The brass plate that covers the drums and top of the machine has slits in it to allow these and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the digit entered. A lever to the left of these is either pushed up for addition and multiplication or down for subtraction and division. Further to the left is a slate-covered compartment. An operating crank is right of the digit levers. It has an ivory handle, which bends down so that the lid closes.
Behind the levers is a movable carriage that can be set in seven different positions. It has nine windows for the revolution register and 16 windows for the result register. The revolution register turns clockwise for subtraction and division, and counterclockwise for addition and multiplication. A knob for zeroing the revolution register is on the right of the carriage, and a lifting knob on the left. Rotating thumbscrews allow one to enter numbers in both the revolution and the result registers. Holes for decimal markers are between the windows of the register, but no decimal markers survive.
A mark to the left of the levers reads: THOMAS de Colmar (/) A PARIS (/) INVENTEUR (/) No. 787. A nearby mark reads: ADDON ET MULTON (/) SOUSTON ET DIVISON. The frame of the slate is stamped on the bottom: ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY (/) COLUMBIA (/) UNIVERSITY (/) NEW YORK.
Frederick A. P. Barnard, the president of Columbia University, purchased this machine at the Paris Exposition of 1867. He used it in preparing a report on the exposition and later transferred it to the Astronomical Observatory at Columbia.
Compare MA.323658.
Reference:
P. A. Kidwell, “Scientists and Calculating Machines,” Annals of the History of Computing, 12, 1990, pp. 31–40.
date made
1867
maker
Thomas, Charles Xavier
ID Number
MA.327900
catalog number
327900
accession number
271855
maker number
747
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism that fits neatly in a wooden case. Ten levers are pushed back to enter digits, with a stepped drum below each lever.
Description
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism that fits neatly in a wooden case. Ten levers are pushed back to enter digits, with a stepped drum below each lever. The brass plate that covers the drums and top of the machine has slits in it to allow these and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the digit entered. Another lever, located to the left of these, is either pushed back for addition and multiplication or forward for subtraction and division.
Further to the left is a glass-covered compartment that holds the decimal markers, key, and loose parts to the machine. The operating crank is right of the digit levers. It's ivory handle folds down so that the lid closes.
Behind the levers is a movable carriage with 11 windows for the revolution register and 20 windows for the result register. The black knob for zeroing the revolution register is on the right of the carriage, and a knob for zeroing the result register is on the left. Both the revolution and the result register have thumbscrews for entering numbers and holes for decimal markers between the windows of the registers. The eighteen decimal markers in the compartment have a brass base and ivory top. The case is painted black and the lid is shaped so that it fits in holes in the sides of the case that allow for motion of the zeroing mechanisms in the carriage.
A mark at the center of the machine reads: THOMAS de COLMAR (/) A PARIS (/) INVENTEUR (/) No. 1068. A mark next to the lever near the center reads: ADDON ET MULTON (/) SOUSTON ET DIVISON. The lid of the machine is marked: Arithmomètre.
Thomas Egleston of Columbia University’s School of Mines was a judge in Group 1 (Mining, Quarrying and Metallurgy) at the 1873 exposition held Vienna. The firm of Thomas exhibited at this exposition, and it is possible that Egleston arranged to purchase this machine at that time.
An instruction book received with the instrument and stored separately is dated 1868.
Compare MA.328869.
References:
P. A. Kidwell, “Scientists and Calculating Machines,” Annals of the History of Computing, 12, 1990, pp. 31–40.
Robert H. Thustron, Reports of the Commisioners of the United States to the International Exhibition Held at Vienna, 1873, Washington: GPO, 1876, vol. 1, p. 118.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1873
maker
Thomas, Charles Xavier
ID Number
MA.335215
catalog number
335215
accession number
318961
maker number
1068
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism held in a wooden case. A stepped drum is under each of ten levers that are pushed back to enter digits.
Description
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism held in a wooden case. A stepped drum is under each of ten levers that are pushed back to enter digits. The brass plate that covers the drums and top of the machine has slits in it to allow these and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the digit entered. A lever to the left of these is either pushed back for addition and multiplication or forward for subtraction and division. Further to the left is a compartment that holds the key to the machine. The lid is missing. Right of the digit levers is a crank for operating the machine. It has an ivory handle, which bends down to the left when not in use so that the lid closes.
Behind the levers is a movable carriage with 11 windows for the revolution register and 20 windows for the result register. Rotating a black knob on the right of the carriage zeros the revolution register, and rotating a knob on the left of the carriage zeros the result register. Rotating thumbscrews on the carriage enter numbers in both the revolution and the result registers. Decimal markers would fit in holes between the windows of the registers, but the markers are missing. The case is painted black and the lid is shaped so that it fits in holes in the sides of the case that allow for motion of the zeroing mechanisms in the carriage.
A mark at the center reads: THOMAS (...) INVENTEUR S’adresser (/) 44, RUE DE CHATEAUDUN, 44 (/) PARIS (/) No 1994 (/) EXPOSITION, 16. RUE DE LA TOUR DES DAMES. A mark under this reads: Imported by Jas W. Queen & Co. (/) PHILADA. A mark on the left reads: ADDON ET MULTON (/) SOUSTON ET DIVISON. The top of the case reads: Arithmomètre.
This machine came to the Smithsonian as a transfer from another U.S. government agency on March 5, 1968. It probably was from the National Bureau of Standards.
Compare to MA.335215, a very similar machine with serial number 1068 that dates from about 1873.
No references to the Thomas arithmometer appear in James W. Queen & Co. catalogs for 1874, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, or 1887.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1883
maker
Thomas, Charles Xavier
ID Number
1987.0857.01
catalog number
328869
accession number
1987.0857
maker number
1994
This manual, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass mechanism that fits snugly in a wooden case. Eight levers moved up to enter digits. A stepped drum is below each lever.
Description
This manual, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass mechanism that fits snugly in a wooden case. Eight levers moved up to enter digits. A stepped drum is below each lever. The brass plate that covers the drums and top of the machine has slits in it to allow these and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the number entered. A lever to the left of these is either pushed up for addition and multiplication or down for subtraction and division. Further to the left is a glass-covered compartment. Right of the digit levers is an operating crank with an ivory handle that bends down so that the lid closes.
Behind the levers is a movable carriage with 9 windows for the revolution register and 16 windows for the result register. A crank for zeroing the revolution register is on the right of the carriage. A lifting knob and a crank for zeroing the result register are on the left. Rotating the thumbscrews enters numbers in both the revolution and the result registers. Holes for decimal markers are between the windows of the registers. There is one brass decimal marker. The bottom of the case is covered with green felt. Holes in the sides of the case allow the carriage to move.
A mark at the center reads: THOMAS de Colmar, INVENTEUR (/) S’adresser (/) 44, RUE DE CHATEAUDUN, 44 (/) PARIS (/) No 1372 (/) EXPOSITION, 16. RUE DE LA TOUR DES DAMES. A mark on the carriage reads: PRUDENTIAL (/) ASSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. A mark inside the lid: TIM & UNITAS (/) CALCULATING MACHINES (/) GEORGE SPICER (/) Market Place, Brentford. (/) PHONE EALING 2020. It is marked on top of the lid: Arithmomètre.
The Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas of Colmar (1785-1870) patented his first calculating machine in 1820. He made major changes to the mechanism at mid-century, and the Thomas arithmometer became the first commercially successful calculating machine. After Thomas died, his firm was taken over by his longtime associate Payen, who made some modifications. Payen began selling arithmometers under his own name and, in 1908, following his own design. This machine is one made after Thomas’s death in his style. The Prudential Assurance Company was an important early British user of arithmometers. This machine passed from the Prudential into the collections of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company of Chicago and from there to the successor firm of Victor Comptometer Corporation.
Compare MA.327900.
References:
Stephen Johnston, “Making the Arithmometer Count,” Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, #52 (1997) refers to several arithmometers that were in use at the Prudential by 1872.
Stephen Johnston, Personal Communication, indicates that this machine was acquired by the Prudential in 1876.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876
maker
Thomas, Charles Xavier
ID Number
MA.323658
catalog number
323658
accession number
250163
maker number
1372
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism that fits snugly in a wooden case. Six levers, each with a stepped drum beneath it, move back to set digits.
Description
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism that fits snugly in a wooden case. Six levers, each with a stepped drum beneath it, move back to set digits. The brass plate that covers the drums and the top of the machine has slits in it to allow these and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the digit entered. A lever to the left of these is either pushed back for addition and multiplication or forward for subtraction and division. Further to the left is a glass-covered compartment. Right of the digit levers is the operating crank. It has an ivory handle, which bends down so that the lid would close. The lid is missing.
Behind the levers is a movable carriage that can be set in seven different positions. It has seven windows for the revolution register and 12 windows for the result register. The revolution counter register turns clockwise for subtraction and division and counterclockwise for addition and multiplication. Rotating a black knob on the right of the carriage zeros the revolution register, and rotating a knob on the left zeros the result register. Turning the thumbscrews enters numbers in both the revolution and the result registers. Between the windows are holes for decimal markers, although there are no markers. The bottom of the case is covered with red felt. Holes in the sides of the case permit motion of the zeroing mechanisms in the carriage.
A mark on the center front reads: ARITHMOMETRE (/) No 2345 (/) L. PAYEN (/) PARIS (/) 44, RUE DE CHATEAUDUN, 44. A mark to the left of this reads: 16. A tag on the inside of the bottom of the case reads: G.F. REDFERN (/) SOLE AGENT FOR (/) ENGLAND,AMERICA (/) AND THE (/) COLONIES (/) SOUTH ST FINSBURY LONDON.
Charles Xavier Thomas first envisioned a calculating machine in the 1820s, and by the mid-19th century was manufacturing commercial products. When Thomas died in 1870, his business was taken over by his longtime associate L. Payen. Payen continued to sell arithmometers under Thomas’s name until the mid-1880s. This is a relatively early example of a machine manufactured by Payen under his own name. Payen later introduced a rather different form of stepped drum machine.
This example was part of the collections of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company of Chicago and its successor firm, Victor Comptometer Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1887
maker
L. Payen
Payen, L.
ID Number
MA.323656
catalog number
323656
accession number
250163
maker number
2345
The manufacture of calculating machines, which began in France, widened to include Germany in the late 1870s with the introduction of Burkhardt arithmometers. This stepped drum, manually operated non-printing instrument is a somewhat later form of Burkhardt’s machine.
Description
The manufacture of calculating machines, which began in France, widened to include Germany in the late 1870s with the introduction of Burkhardt arithmometers. This stepped drum, manually operated non-printing instrument is a somewhat later form of Burkhardt’s machine. It has eight German silver levers for setting numbers; an operating crank right of the levers; and an addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever left of the levers. The operating crank folds down so that the lid closes. Left of this a small compartment with a slate cover that holds a black knob.
When one pushes up the addition & multiplication/subtraction & division lever, it pushes back a set of ten gears that are linked to shafts coming from the stepped drums. In this position, these gears turn the gears of the result register clockwise (if looked at from the inside), and the number in the result register increases. If the lever is down, the gears on the shafts turn the gears of the result register counterclockwise, so that the number in the result register decreases.
Behind the levers is a carriage with a nine-window revolution register and a 16-window result register. Both registers have thumbscrews for setting numbers. A small crank on the right side of the machine clears the revolution register and another crank on the left side clears the result register. When these cranks are in use, a brass bar extends out the sides of the carriage. Holes for decimal markers are between the levers and between the windows of the registers. Two brass decimal markers fit in these holes. When the entry in the result register becomes negative (as it might in subtraction or division), a bell rings. It rings again if a number is added so the result is once again zero or positive.
A mark on the top of the machine, left of the entry levers, reads: Arth.Burkhardt (/) Glashütte(Sa) (/) Nr557.
A mark on the outside of the wooden case reads: RECHEN- (/) MASCHINE. Glued to the inside of the lid of the wooden case is a paper label with operating instructions in German. Written in ink on this sheet is the mark: Made in Germany.
Further instructions received with the machine are stored separately. The last date indicated on the instructions received with this machine is 1886. The instructions are stamped WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (/) U.S.C.&G. SURVEY, with an illegible date.
A mark on the front edge of the case reads: B.S.219. The machine apparently was transferred from the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey to the National Bureau of Standards some time after the latter organization was founded in 1901. From there it came to the Smithsonian.
Burkhardt exhibited at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. “More than 500 machines have been supplied to all parts of the world,” the maker claimed at that time.
Compare MA.313158, MA.313519, MA.323624 and MA.323597.
References:
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 78–82.
German Exhibition, Group 21, Special Catalogue of the Collective Exhibition of Scientific Instruments and Appliances . . . ., 1893, p. 15.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
maker
Arthur Burkhardt
ID Number
MA.313158
accession number
177275
catalog number
313158
In 1881 the English engineer Samuel Tate applied for a British patent for an improvement in the arithmometer invented by the Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas. Tate’s machine was manufactured by the publishers C. & E.
Description
In 1881 the English engineer Samuel Tate applied for a British patent for an improvement in the arithmometer invented by the Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas. Tate’s machine was manufactured by the publishers C. & E. Layton of London, who made various improvements to it.
This stepped drum manually operated and non-printing calculating machine is one made by Layton. It has a brass top and metal mechanism and fits into a mahogany case. Eight levers are used to set digits, with a stepped drum below each lever. The plate that covers the drums and top of the machine has slits in it to allow these and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the digit entered. An ADD MULT / SUB DIV lever is left of the digit levers, but the machine has no windows to show the number set up. A crank on the right side operates the machine.
Behind the levers moves a carriage with a row of nine windows for the revolution register and a row of 16 windows for the result register. The discs in the revolution register have the digits from 1 to 8 in red and from 0 to 9 in black. The discs of the result register have only the digits from 0 to 9. Rotating the crank on the right side of the carriage zeroes these registers. A handle for lifting the carriage is on its left. Three brass decimal markers fit in holes between the levers and windows. Thumbscrews in the revolution and result registers can be used to set numbers. Handles at both ends of the case assist in lifting.
A mark toward the front of the machine, left of the digit levers, reads: C. & E.LAYTONS (/) ARITHMOMETER (/) LONDON. A mark below the operating handle reads; C.A. BAYNON (/) AGENT (/) NEW YORK. Stamped on the underside of the carriage on the left is the serial number: 1431.
C. & E. Layton sold arithmometers particularly to insurance companies. This example came to the Smithsonian from Colonial Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, a firm established in 1897.
Compare MA.311,953, MA.323657, MA.323629, and MA.333922.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
maker
C. & E. Layton
ID Number
MA.333922
catalog number
333922
accession number
304369
maker number
1431
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine is of English manufacture. It represents an improvement of the arithmometer invented by the Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas in the 1820s and sold successfully from the middle of the 19th century.
Description
This stepped drum manual non-printing calculating machine is of English manufacture. It represents an improvement of the arithmometer invented by the Frenchman Charles Xavier Thomas in the 1820s and sold successfully from the middle of the 19th century. In 1879 the Prudential Assurance Company challenged English makers to produce a more reliable machine than that of Thomas. The firm of Elliott Brothers made some twenty such machines, and won the premium offered. The engineer Samuel Tate of Clerkenwell Close in Middlesex County also set out to make a simpler, faster, sturdier, and more accurate arithmometer. Tate filed for a British patent in 1881, and received it in 1884.
Charles and Edwin Layton, London publishers of works on insurance, annuities and mathematics, sold Tate’s arithmometer. They exhibited it at the International Inventions Exhibition held in London in 1885, and manufactured it, with improvements, at least until the time of World War I.
The machine has a brass top and metal mechanism that fits tightly in a wooden case. It has eight levers for setting digits, and an ADD MULT / SUB DIV lever to the left of these levers. It has no windows for showing the number set up. The operating crank is on the right.
Behind the levers is a movable carriage with a row of nine windows for the revolution register and a row of 16 windows for the result register. The right side of the carriage has a zeroing crank for these registers. A handle for lifting the carriage is toward its left. Five brass decimal markers fit in holes between the levers and between the windows. Thumbscrews for setting numbers in the revolution and result registers are between the registers. The stepped drums are of brass. The compartment in the case to the left of the machine has no cover. Handles at both ends of the case make it easier to lift the machine.
A mark to the left of the levers on the front reads: TATE’S (/) ARITHMOMETER (/) C. & E. LAYTON (/) LONDON. The inside of the machine below the carriage on the left side is engraved: 8.15.
This example comes from the collection of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company of Chicago.
Compare MA.311,953, MA.323657, MA.323629, and MA.333922.
References:
Horsburgh, E. M., ed., Handbook of the Napier Tercentenary Celebration of Modern Instruments and Methods of Calculation, Edinburgh: G. Bell & Sons, 1914, pp. 102–104.
Stephen Johnson, “Making the Arithmometer Count,” Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society 52 (1997), pp.12–21.
Samuel Tate, “Improvements in Calculating Machines or Arithmometers,” U.K. Patent #65 for 1884. The provisional specification for this patent is dated March 29, 1881.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
C. & E. Layton
ID Number
MA.323629
catalog number
323629
accession number
250163
maker number
not found -
Although the arithmometer originated in France, by the early 20th century this German version of the machine sold in Paris.The manually operated non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass top plate painted black and a brass and steel mechanism that both fit snugly
Description
Although the arithmometer originated in France, by the early 20th century this German version of the machine sold in Paris.
The manually operated non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass top plate painted black and a brass and steel mechanism that both fit snugly in a wooden case. Eight German silver levers move to set numbers. The operating crank is to the right of the levers, and an addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever is to their left . The operating crank folds down so that the lid closes. At the far left is a compartment with a slate cover
Behind the levers is a carriage with a nine-window revolution register and a 16-window result register. Both registers have thumbscrews for setting numbers. Each window of the revolution register shows the digits from 0 to 9 in black, and from 1 to 8 in red. A bell sounds when the crank has been turned too often in subtraction and a negative number results. It is intended especially for use in division. A knob on the right side of the machine clears the revolution register, and another knob on the left side clears the result register. When these knobs are in use, brass bars extend out the sides of the carriage. Holes for decimal markers are between the levers and between the windows of the registers, but the machine has no decimal markers.
A piece of wood hinged to the back of the case of the machine can be released so that the instrument slopes toward the operator. A panel in the bottom of the case slides across to reveal the brass stepped drums.
The top of the lid of the case and the front of the machine have the mark: BURKHARDT (/) ARITHMOMETER. The back edge of the right side of the carriage has the serial number: N1197. The zeroing knobs are marked with the German patent number: D.R.G.M. (/) No78251. A mark left of the levers reads: GERMANY. A red label glued to the inside of the lid reads: MACHINES A ECRIRE (/) ET A CALCULER (/) ACHAT-VENT-ECHANGE (/) REPARATIONS. . . (/) G. BERNARD. . .(/) PARIS.
This machine came from the collection of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company.
Compare 313158, 313519, 323624 and 323597.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Erste Glashütter Rechenmaschininfabrik
ID Number
MA.323597
catalog number
323597
accession number
250163
maker number
N1197
This German stepped drum, manually operated, non-printing calculating machine has a brass top painted black and a brass and steel mechanism that fit snugly in a wooden case. Ten German silver levers are moved to set numbers.
Description
This German stepped drum, manually operated, non-printing calculating machine has a brass top painted black and a brass and steel mechanism that fit snugly in a wooden case. Ten German silver levers are moved to set numbers. The operating crank is right of the levers, and an addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever is to their left. The operating crank folds down so that the lid closes. At the left is a compartment with a slate cover that holds a key and a small box of spare parts. The machine has space for an inkwell, but no inkwell is present.
Behind the levers is a carriage with a ten-window revolution register and a 20-window result register. Both registers have thumbscrews for setting numbers. Each window of the revolution register shows the digits from 0 to 9 in black and from 1 to 8 in red. A knob on the right side of the machine clears the revolution register and another knob on the left side clears the result register. When these knobs are in use, brass bars extend out the sides of the carriage. Holes for decimal markers are between the levers and between the windows of the registers, but the machine has no decimal markers. A bell sounds when the crank has been turned too often in subtraction so that a negative number results. It is intended especially for use in division.
Instructions for operating the machine are glued to the inside of the lid. A piece of wood hinged to the back of the machine allows it to be held at an angle. One may slide over a panel in the bottom of the case to reveal the stepped drums. A key fits the lock in the case.
A mark on the top of the lid and on the center front of the machine reads: BURKHARDT (/) ARITHMOMETER. Another mark on the center front reads: Keuffel & Esser Co. (/) New York (/) Sole Agents. A mark to the left of this reads: GERMANY. The zeroing knobs on the carriage have the patent number: D.R.G.M. No78251. The National Bureau of Standards inventory number stamped on the right edge of the case is 1624 N.B.S. The back right edge of the carriage is marked: 5. This is the usual location of serial numbers for Burkhardt arithmometers, but does not jibe well with other serial numbers of machines in the collections.
Compare MA.313158, MA.313519, MA.323624 and MA.323597.
The date of 1903 is assigned on the basis of the accession file.
References:
Keuffel & Esser, Catalog, 1899, p. 190. Here Burkhardt machines are offered in 3 sizes (6x7x12, 8x9x16 & 10x11x20) at three prices ($193.25, $241.50, $338.25). This machine is the third type. The machine is not shown in the 1892 Keuffel & Esser catalog. By 1906, K&E was selling the Peerless calculating machine instead.
Accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903
maker
Erste Glashütter Rechenmaschininfabrik
retailer
Keuffel & Esser Co.
ID Number
MA.313159
catalog number
313159
accession number
177275
maker number
78251
By the early 20th century, Germans who had gained experience in the calculating machine industry were opening new companies of their own. In 1907 Ludwig Spitz, an attorney who had represented German calculating machine firms, founded Ludwig Spitz & Co. in Berlin.
Description
By the early 20th century, Germans who had gained experience in the calculating machine industry were opening new companies of their own. In 1907 Ludwig Spitz, an attorney who had represented German calculating machine firms, founded Ludwig Spitz & Co. in Berlin. The company sold improved forms of the arithmometer, particularly using designs of the engineer Robert Rein. These machine sold as the “T.I.M.,” which the company said stood for “Time is Money.” A German firm's choice of an English motto associated with Benjamin Franklin is noteworthy. Spitz was particularly proud of the “Unitas” machine, which united two carriages in one, making it possible to compute both subtotals and grand totals.
This relatively early example of the Unitas, made of brass and German silver, fits in a polished wooden case. It has eight levers for setting numbers, with windows behind the levers to show the number set up. Below these are the stepped drums, which are not complete cylinders, but only partial and hollow. They appear to be die–cast from a composite metal.
Behind these is a carriage with a seven-digit revolution counting register and a 12-digit result register. Behind this is a second carriage with a second result register. Metal rods carry sliding decimal markers for each register. The two carriages are held together on the left by a mechanism that can detach the back carriage from the front one.
Left of the digit levers is a lever for setting the machine to addition/multiplication or subtraction/division. When the lever and an adjacent smaller lever are both in the add position, both carriages show results of addition. When the lever is in the upper position and the adjacent lever is in the middle position, the first carriage shows addition and the back one subtraction. A crank for operating machine is at the right front. To the left is a small glass bottle for ink, held in its own compartment.
In the lid of the case of the machine is a table for converting shillings and pence to decimal fractions of an English pound and another table of decimal equivalents. The case can be locked but the key is missing. The bottom of the machine is hinged at the front and may be lifted to sit on metal legs at the back.
A mark on the left front of the machine reads: Ludwig Spitz & Co. (/) TIM (/) TIME IS MONEY (/) TRADE MARK. A mark in front of the setting levers reads: Rechenmaschinenfabrik LUDWIG SPITZ & Co., G. m. b. H., Berlin. A mark stamped on the right edge of the case reads: 0853. A mark stamped on the back edge of the case reads: 367. A mark on the front edge of the front carriage reads: 0724. A mark on the front edge of the back carriage reads: 0557.
This machine comes from the collection of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company of Chicago.
From 1909 the Unitas was produced with a metal stand rather than the wooden case.
References:
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 194–196.
The Unitas, New York: Oscar Muller & Co., 1908.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908
maker
Ludwig Spitz & Co.
ID Number
MA.323616
catalog number
323616
accession number
250163
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism, eight zinc alloy stepped drums, one of them cracked, and iron sides. The drums are only half-cylinders.
Description
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism, eight zinc alloy stepped drums, one of them cracked, and iron sides. The drums are only half-cylinders. On top of the drums is a metal plate painted black with slits for sliding levers used to set digits. The digits from 0 to 9 are marked along the edge of each slit. Six of the levers have steel bands next to them with the digits 0 to 9 stamped on them. These bands move so that the number set appears in a row of windows over the levers. The digit indicator is missing for the sixth and eighth windows.
On the carriage are nine windows in the revolution counter and 16 to show the result. The crank at the right is broken and has no handle. Decimal markers include one flimsy painted metal piece for numbers entered, one for the revolution counter, and three for the result. The add & multiply / subtract & divide lever is on the left, but has broken off. The stepped drums are not covered on the underside.
A mark below the entry levers reads: Rechenmaschinenfabrick LUDWIG SPITZ & Co., G.m.b.H., Berlin - Wien - New-York. A mark on the front of the machine reads: TIM. A mark at the left reads: PATENT (/) BREVET. A mark on the front edge of the carriage near the zeroing knobs reads: 828. A mark under the carriage reads: 01153. Another mark reads: Ludwig Spitz & Co. (/) TIM (/) TIME IS MONEY (/) TRADE MARK .
This is a TIM machine removed from a wooden case and placed on an iron stand, but without the central plate and other features of later TIM machines. The TIM was introduced in 1907 and first sold in a cast-iron housing in 1909.
The donor inherited this machine from his father.
References:
Accession file 1994.0092.
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 191–194.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1909
maker
Ludwig Spitz & Co.
ID Number
1994.0092.01
catalog number
1994.0092.01
accession number
1994.0092
maker number
01516
This incomplete stepped drum, manually operated, non-printing calculating machine has an iron base painted black. The rest of the case is missing. The eight data entry levers are linked to both number dials and brass stepped drums. The number dials record digits entered.
Description
This incomplete stepped drum, manually operated, non-printing calculating machine has an iron base painted black. The rest of the case is missing. The eight data entry levers are linked to both number dials and brass stepped drums. The number dials record digits entered. Levers in front of the dials zero the entry. An addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever is on the left, and the operating crank on the right has broken off. There is a cloth and plastic cover for the machine.
A mark on the right side, under where the carriage would be, reads: 02274. A mark on the left side, under the carriage space, reads: 1446. A mark on the bottom of the machine reads: 1607. A number painted on the bottom of the machine is 27-71. This is a typical catalog number of the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York.
A TIM carriage with Museums of the Peaceful Arts number 27-91 may well have come with this machine and has been placed with it. The carriage has a nine-digit revolution register and a sixteen-digit result register. The number on the carriage at the right front edge is 03282.
The object is from the collection of L. Leland Locke.
References:
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 191–194,
J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 84–85.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Ludwig Spitz & Co.
ID Number
MA.317390
catalog number
317390
accession number
230394
maker number
02271
This stepped drum, manually operated non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism that fits snugly in a wooden case. Each of the seven levers for setting digits has a stepped drum below it. The brass plate that covers the drums is painted black.
Description
This stepped drum, manually operated non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism that fits snugly in a wooden case. Each of the seven levers for setting digits has a stepped drum below it. The brass plate that covers the drums is painted black. Slits in the plate allow the levers and other parts to move. The edges of the slits next to digit levers are numbered from 0 to 9 to indicate the number entered. An ADD. MULT. / SUB. DIV. lever is left of the digit levers. A compartment covered by a slate is left of this. The operating crank is right of the levers.
The carriage behind the levers has seven windows for the revolution counter register, and 12 windows for the result register. It can be placed at seven different positions. A mark on the cover plate assists in positioning the carriage. Holes for decimal markers are between the levers and between the holes of the registers, as well as sliding decimal markers for the result register. Thumbscrews allow one to set numbers in the registers. Zeroing levers for these registers on the right of the carriage may be operated jointly or individually. The case has two legs that may be used to set it at an angle, as well as a lock and key.
A mark to the left of the levers reads: BUNZEL (/) TRADE DELTON MARK. Left of this is the mark: FACTORY VIENNA. The serial number, on the edge of the case at the back, is 5310.
Hugo Bunzel, a calligraphy teacher and former painter in Prague, designed the machine, which was introduced in 1908 and produced through 1915. It was manufactured in Vienna. This example is from the collection of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company.
Reference:
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 198–199.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Bunzel-Delton-Werk Fabrik...
ID Number
MA.323585
catalog number
323585
accession number
250163
maker number
5310
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a metal mechanism and exterior, painted black on the outside. It fits snugly in a wooden case, and has a slate on a hinged door to the left of the levers.
Description
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a metal mechanism and exterior, painted black on the outside. It fits snugly in a wooden case, and has a slate on a hinged door to the left of the levers. The sides of the case provide the openings for the sliding carriage. The case can be locked, but there is no key.
Eight levers move to set the stepped drums. A row of windows below the levers reveals the number entered. A lever on the left is set for addition and multiplication or subtraction and division. A crank on the right is turned repeatedly to calculate.
The movable carriage has a row of nine small windows at the front that reveal discs of the revolution register. A row of 16 discs behind this records the result. The right side of the carriage has a zeroing lever for the revolution register, and the left side has a zeroing lever for the result register. A metal handle for lifting the carriage is on the left. The left side of the front of the machine has a zeroing handle for the entry levers. A wooden lever hinged along the base of the back of the machine unfolds to serve as a stand, so that the machine slopes toward the operator. A sliding panel in the bottom of the machine opens to reveal the stepped drums. The drums are made from a metal composite, die–cast on brass cylinders.
A mark stamped over a script MB on the front right of the machine reads: Trade Mark (/) PEERLESS. An inscription below the levers at the center front of the machine reads: Keuffel & Esser Co (/) New York. Left of this is the mark: Patents pending. Stamped on the back of the case and scratched on the bottom of the machine (so that it is visible when the wooden panel is open) is the mark: 10083. On the back of the carriage at the left is the serial number 2035.
In about 1904 the German firm of Mathias Bäuerle, a manufacturer of clocks, began making a stepped drum calculating machine on the design of Tobias Bäuerle, a son of the founder of the company. It was dubbed the Peerless. Keuffel & Esser Company, the American manufacturer of drawing instruments, soon offered the Peerless in its catalogs. K&E advertised an earlier version of the Peerless, without the zeroing crank for the levers, in its 1906 catalog (p. 313). This model of the Peerless is shown in the 1909 catalog (pp. 302–303, K&E #4006N). It sold in three capacities (6x7x12, 8x9x16, and 10x11x20) for $250.00, $300.00, and $375.00. By 1913, K&E was offering a Peerless calculating machine with an iron stand rather than a wooden case.
This example is from the collections of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company.
Compare 325564, 326642, and 323628.
References:
Keuffel & Esser, Catalog.
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 149–151.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
distributor
Keuffel & Esser Co.
maker
Math. Baeuerle
ID Number
MA.323628
catalog number
323628
accession number
250163
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a metal mechanism and an exterior painted black. It fits closely in a wooden case, with a slate to the left of the levers. Eight levers move to set stepped drums.
Description
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a metal mechanism and an exterior painted black. It fits closely in a wooden case, with a slate to the left of the levers. Eight levers move to set stepped drums. A row of windows below the levers shows the number entered. A lever on the left is set for addition and multiplication or subtraction and division. The operating crank is on the right.
The movable carriage has a row of nine small windows at the front that reveal discs of the revolution register. A row of 16 discs behind this records the result. A zeroing lever for the revolution register is on the right side of the carriage, and one for the result register on the left. A metal handle for lifting the carriage is on the left. The zeroing handle for the stepped drums is on the left front of the machine.
A wooden rectangle hinged to the back of the case opens to serve as a stand, so that the machine slopes toward the operator. A sliding panel in the bottom of the machine opens to reveal the eight stepped drums. The drums are made from a gray metal composite, die–cast on brass cylinders. The teeth are not sharply pointed.
Tacked inside the lid of the case is a 1938 table of International Atomic Weights, updated and corrected for 1942. Another card has a handwritten table of difference factors for Ca-3, dated 1939.
The machine is marked: Keuffel & Esser Co. (/) New York. A mark stamped over a script MB on the front right of the machine reads: PEERLESS. Stamped on the back of the carriage at the left end is the serial number 2033. Stamped on the back rim of the case, behind the carriage, are the marks B. S. 5473 and 10081.
In about 1904, the German firm of Mathias Bäuerle, a manufacturer of clocks, began making a stepped drum calculating machine on the design of Tobias Bäuerle, a son of the founder of the company. It was dubbed the Peerless. Keuffel & Esser Company, an American manufacturer of drawing instruments, soon offered the Peerless in its catalogs. K&E advertised an earlier version of the Peerless, without the zeroing crank for the levers, in its 1906 catalog (p. 313). This model of the Peerless is shown in the 1909 catalog (pp. 302–303, K&E #4006N). It sold in three capacities (6x7x12, 8x9x16, and 10x11x20) for $250.00, $300.00, and $375.00. By 1913, K&E was offering a Peerless calculating machine with an iron stand rather than a wooden case.
This example was purchase by and used at the U. S. National Bureau of Standards.
Compare MA.325564, MA.326642, and MA.323628.
References:
Keuffel & Esser, Catalog.
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 149–151.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
distributor
Keuffel & Esser Co.
retailer
Keuffel & Esser Co.
ID Number
MA.326642
catalog number
326642
accession number
261654
This manually operated, non-printing calculating machine has a brass top painted black that fits closely into a roll-top wooden case, sloping toward the operator. Eight German silver levers on the machine rotate counterclockwise to set a digit.
Description
This manually operated, non-printing calculating machine has a brass top painted black that fits closely into a roll-top wooden case, sloping toward the operator. Eight German silver levers on the machine rotate counterclockwise to set a digit. The number entered appears in a row of windows over the levers. Above this row is a steel rod with one sliding decimal marker.
The handle for operating the machine is right of the levers. The zeroing lever for the entry, as well as the addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever, are left of the eight German silver levers. Left of this is a compartment with room for an inkwell and loose pieces. The cover of this compartment is missing and it is empty.
Behind the levers is a carriage with nine revolution register windows and 16 result register windows. Both registers have thumbscrews for setting numbers and sliding decimal markers. There is no carry in the revolution register. Two levers on the right side of the carriage zero its registers.
When the entry in the result register would become negative (as in subtraction or division), a bell rings. It rings again if a number is added to bring the total to zero or more.
The brass stepped drums are visible through a sliding panel in the bottom of the case. Metal lifting handles are on both ends of the case.
The machine is marked above the entry windows: REUTER’S (/) MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING MACHINE (/) PHILADELPHIA,PA. Metal tags toward the front of the machine read: D.R.G.M. 394014 and: AUSL. PAT. ANGEM. A mark under the operating crank reads: D.R.G.M. (/) 329403. A mark to the left of the entry levers reads: PATENT (/) DEUTSCHLAND No. 217048 (/) OSTERREICH ANGEM. The serial number, inscribed under the carriage on the machine at the right, is 1363.
This is an example of the Saxonia calculating machine made by Schumann and Company in the German city of Glasshütte, and imported and distributed by the Philadelphia firm of Carl H. Reuter. Reuter advertised as an importer of the Brunsviga and Burkhardt calculating machines in 1906. A machine with a later serial number is from 1913.
This machine was used at the Sproul Observatory of Swarthmore College.
Compare MA.323596.
References:
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 126–127.
Railway Age, 42, August 17, 1906, p. 219.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
distributor
Carl H. Reuter
maker
Schumann & Cie.
ID Number
1986.0684.01
catalog number
1986.0684.01
accession number
1986.0684
This German stepped drum, manually operated non-printing calculating machine has a brass and iron case painted black. The eight digit setting levers link to both number dials and brass stepped drums. The number dials record digits entered.
Description
This German stepped drum, manually operated non-printing calculating machine has a brass and iron case painted black. The eight digit setting levers link to both number dials and brass stepped drums. The number dials record digits entered. Levers in front of the dials zero the entry. An addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever is on the left, and an operating crank on the right. The plate at the front is easily removed to show the levers and bell. The bell rings when the result changes sign (as in overdivision).
In back of the levers is the carriage, with nine revolution register dials and 16 result register dials. Both these registers can be set by hand. The revolution register dials have numbers in black (0 to 9) and in red (1 to 8). The zeroing bars for these registers are on the right of the carriage, and a knob for lifting the carriage is on its far left.
The machine has a metal tag attached to the front that reads: Ludwig Spitz & Co. G.m.b.H. (/) TIM (/) TIME IS MONEY (/) TRADE MARK. It also reads: TIM Calculating Machine Co (/) Chicago U.S.A. It is marked to the left of the entry levers: PATENT. A mark under the carriage on the right side reads: 03745. A mark under the carriage on the left side reads: 2549.
This model of the TIM was introduced in about 1909 and sold at least through 1924. This example was transferred to the Smithsonian collections from the Navy Memorial Museum at the Washington Navy Yard.
References:
E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 191–194.
J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 84–85. By this time, the American agent for the TIM calculating machine was the Times Into Company of Chicago, Illinois.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1911
maker
Ludwig Spitz & Co.
ID Number
1979.0602.01
catalog number
1979.0602.01
accession number
1979.0602
maker number
03745
This relatively late English-built arithmometer represents C. & E. Layton's improvements to the machine originally designed by Samuel Tate.
Description
This relatively late English-built arithmometer represents C. & E. Layton's improvements to the machine originally designed by Samuel Tate. The stepped drum manually operated non-printing calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism attached in a mahogany case.
The eight setting levers are above a row of windows that show the number set. The zeroing lever for the setup is on the right and an ADD-MULT / SUB DIV lever is on the left. The crank for operating the machine is right of the levers. Below it is zeroing lever for the entry levers. The stepped drums are brass.
The carriage has 9 windows in the revolution counter register and 16 in the result register. On the right of the carriage is a crank that is turned counterclockwise to zero the revolution register and clockwise to zero the result register. When the entry in the result register would become negative (as it might in subtraction or division), a bell rings. It rings again if a number is added to bring the total to zero or more.
Decimal markers slide along rods above the entry windows, revolution register windows, and result register windows.
Handles at both ends aid in lifting the machine. The case lacks a lid. A space for a compartment is on the left side, but it has no cover.
The mark on the front of the machine reads: LAYTONS IMPROVED ARITHMOMETER (/) LONDON 1911 (/) PATENTS Nos 8984 & 12032 - 1909 BÄURLES. PATENTS Nos 1666 & 15261 - 1907. No serial number was found.
The machine is from the collection of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company of Chicago.
Compare 311953, 323657, 323629, and 333922. The approximate date is taken from an existing catalog card and from the machine.
Reference:
Horsburgh, E. M., ed., Handbook of the Napier Tercentenary Celebration of Modern Instruments and Methods of Calculation, Edinburgh: G. Bell & Sons, 1914, pp. 102–104.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911
maker
C. & E. Layton
ID Number
MA.323657
catalog number
323657
accession number
250163
maker number
none found
This rugged manually operated and non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and iron case painted black. The eight data entry levers are linked to both number dials and brass stepped drums. The number dials record digits entered.
Description
This rugged manually operated and non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and iron case painted black. The eight data entry levers are linked to both number dials and brass stepped drums. The number dials record digits entered. Levers in front of the dials zero the entry. An addition & multiplication / subtraction & division lever is on the left, and an operating crank is on the right. The plate at the front is easily removed to show the levers and a bell.
In back of the levers is the carriage, with nine revolution register dials and 16 result register dials. The zeroing bars for these registers are on the right of the carriage. A knob for lifting the carriage is on its far left. The entry levers, the revolution register, and the result register have sliding decimal markers. A bell rings to indicate overdivision. The entire machine has a steel cover painted black.
The machine is stamped on the front: Ludwig Spitz & Co. (/) TIM (/) TIME IS MONEY (/) TRADE MARK, and: THE OSKAR MULLER Co., New-York. A mark on the right side of the machine under the carriage reads: 05187. A mark on the left side, also under the carriage, reads: 3684. Left of the setting levers, the machine is marked: BREVET. A metal disc attached to the front cover reads: OSCAR MÜLLER & Co. (/) Sole Agents (/) for (/) U.S. & Canada (/) NEW YORK.
This object was a gift of the Brooklyn, New York, engineer Harold G. Wening.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1912
maker
Ludwig Spitz & Co.
ID Number
MA.328127
catalog number
328127
accession number
270026
maker number
05187; 3684
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism painted black with a black steel cover and a black iron stand. Digits are set by pushing down (not pulling up) eight German silver levers.
Description
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism painted black with a black steel cover and a black iron stand. Digits are set by pushing down (not pulling up) eight German silver levers. The digit set up appears in a row of windows between the levers. A zeroing knob for the levers is left of them. The operating crank is to the right.
To the left of the levers is a window showing a number that relates to automatic division and two levers, one for automation division and the other for subtraction / addition-multiplication. Behind the levers is a carriage with a row of nine revolution counter register windows and 16 result register windows. The digits on the revolution counter run from 0 up to 8 and then from 9 down to 1. The zeroing knobs for these registers are on the right of the carriage.
Above the entry levers, the revolution counting register, and the result register are metal bars that carry decimal markers. Thumbscrews allow one to set up numbers in the result register. On the left end of the carriage are a bell and a mechanism for shifting the carriage. The bell rings when the result passes through zero (e.g., from positive to negative or negative to positive). The machine has four cork feet. The steel cover has operating instructions on a piece of paper pasted to its inside.
The machine is marked to the left of the levers: MADAS (/) U.S.A. Ptd Dec. 16th 1913 (/) etc. It is marked on the far left: No 4571 (/) MADE IN SWITZERLAND. It is marked on the outside of the cover: MULTIPLICATION AUTOMAT. DIVISION ADDITION SUBTRACTION (/) MADAS. A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #347.
This example was #347 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
This model of the MADAS was introduced in 1913 and sold until about 1930. Compare MA.317288, MA.324278, MA.323586 and 1982.0794.88.
Reference:
H. W. Egli, Ltd., MADAS 50 Jahre Arbeit, Zurich.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1912
maker
Egli, Hans W.
ID Number
1982.0794.88
catalog number
1982.0794.88
accession number
1982.0794
This manually operated non-printing stepped drum calculating machine is brass, painted black ,with a black metal frame and cover. Digits are set by pushing down seven German silver levers. The number set appears in a row of windows between the levers.
Description
This manually operated non-printing stepped drum calculating machine is brass, painted black ,with a black metal frame and cover. Digits are set by pushing down seven German silver levers. The number set appears in a row of windows between the levers. A zeroing knob for the levers and these windows is to the left of them. The operating crank is on the right. Left of the levers is a window showing a number relating to automatic division. Left of this is a lever and rod combination used to set the machine for addition or subtraction and, if desired, for automatic division.
Behind the entry levers is a movable carriage with seven windows for the revolution counter, 12 windows for the result register, zeroing levers for these registers, a bell, and rods with springs for moving the carriage. The bell rings when the result passes through zero. The thumbscrews can be used to set up numbers in the result register. Sliding decimal markers are available for all three registers. The inside of the lid has a paper sheet with instructions in German and in English.
A mark on the front of the machine reads: MADAS (/) Pat. Jahnz (/) U.S.A. Ptd Dec. 16th 1913 (/) D.R.P. etc. A second mark there reads: No. 3533. A third mark there reads: MADE IN SWITZERLAND. A paper tag glued to the back of the machine reads: J.W.O. Following these initials are illegible letters. A metal tag on the front of the machine reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY
This model of the MADAS was introduced in 1913 and sold until about 1930.
Compare MA.317288, MA.324278, MA.323586 and 1982.0794.88.
Reference:
H. W. Egli, Ltd., MADAS 50 Jahre Arbeit, Zurich.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913-1930
maker
Egli, Hans W.
ID Number
MA.317388
accession number
230394
catalog number
317388
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism painted black, with a black steel cover. Digits are set by pushing down eight German silver levers. The digit set up appears in a row of windows between the levers.
Description
This manually operated, non-printing stepped drum calculating machine has a brass and steel mechanism painted black, with a black steel cover. Digits are set by pushing down eight German silver levers. The digit set up appears in a row of windows between the levers. A zeroing knob for the levers is left of them. The crank for operating the machine is to the right. To the left of the levers is a window showing a number that relates to automatic division, and two levers, one for automatic division and the other for subtraction / addition-multiplication.
Behind the levers is a carriage with a row of seven revolution counter register windows and 12 result register windows. The revolution register has no carry mechanism. The zeroing knobs for these registers are on the right of the carriage. Above the entry levers, the revolution counting register and the result register are metal bars that carry sliding decimal markers. Thumbscrews are used to set up numbers in the result register. On the left end of the carriage are a bell that rings to indicate over division (e.g. a negative result), and a mechanism for shifting the carriage. The machine has four rubber feet.
A mark on the machine to the left of the levers reads: MADAS (/) U.S.A. Ptd Dec. 16th 1913 (/) etc. A mark on the far left reads: No 5095 (/) MADE IN SWITZERLAND. A mark on the outside of the metal cover reads: MULTIPLICATION AUTOMAT. DIVISION ADDITION SUBTRACTION (/) MADAS.
The steel cover has operating instructions in German and French on a piece of paper pasted inside. The MADAS, designed by Erwin Jahnz, a German living in Switzerland, was produced by the Swiss firm of H. W. Egli. It featured automatic division. The MADAS, introduced in 1913. was made until around 1930.
Compare MA.317288, MA.324278, MA.323586 and 1982.0794.88.
This example is from the collection of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company.
References:
H. W. Egli, Ltd., MADAS 50 Jahre Arbeit, Zurich.
Erwin Jahnz, “Calculating Machine,” U. S. Patent 1,81,310, December 16, 1913.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1913-1930
maker
Egli, Hans W.
ID Number
MA.323586
accession number
250163
catalog number
323586

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