Science & Mathematics - Overview
The Museum's collections hold thousands of objects related to chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Instruments range from early American telescopes to lasers. Rare glassware and other artifacts from the laboratory of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, are among the scientific treasures here. A Gilbert chemistry set of about 1937 and other objects testify to the pleasures of amateur science. Artifacts also help illuminate the social and political history of biology and the roles of women and minorities in science.
The mathematics collection holds artifacts from slide rules and flash cards to code-breaking equipment. More than 1,000 models demonstrate some of the problems and principles of mathematics, and 80 abstract paintings by illustrator and cartoonist Crockett Johnson show his visual interpretations of mathematical theorems.
"Science & Mathematics - Overview" showing 16 items.
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Standard Model B Adding Machine
- Description
- This ten-key printing adding machine has a cast-iron frame painted black, with ten black plastic numeral keys across the front (two of these keys are missing) and nine red and white plastic unmarked order keys behind these. There is a large metal key on the left side, and a key stem (without cover) below. The paper tape holder is behind the keys (there is no paper tape), the printing mechanism behind it, and the adding mechanism behind this. Missing front and two sides, crank, three key covers, ribbon. The machine has serial number 6044. It was transferred to the Smithsonian from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
- The machine is marked on a tag screwed to the top: No. 6044 (/) STANDARD ADDING MACHINE Co (/)] ST LOUIS, Mo U.S.A. (/) PATENTED MAR. 3’ 1891 (/) MAR. 27’ 1894 (/) OTHER PATENTS PENDING. It is marked on the back: ACCURACY (/) SUPREMACY; PATENTED (/) MARCH 3rd 1891 (/) MARCH 27th 1894 (/) OCTOBER 8th 1901 (/) OTHER PATENTS PENDING
- References:
- E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, pp. 143,144; Brunsviga catalog Zaz 1903-1 (No. 5828).
- A. C. Ludlam, “Adding and Writing Machine,” U.S. Patent 384372, June 12, 1888 - reissue March 3, 1891.) and 517383 William W. Hopkins, “Adding, Subtracting, and Recording Machine,” U.S. Patent 517383, March 27, 1894 - assigned to Standard Adding Machine Co. of St. Louis at time of issue.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1907
- maker
- Standard Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1979.0806.01
- maker number
- 6044
- accession number
- 1979.0806
- catalog number
- 1979.0806.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Comptometer Model A
- Description
- This key-driven, non-printing adding machine is an early example of a Comptometer with a metal case.
- It has eight columns of plastickeys. The keys in the two rightmost columns, which represent cents, are white, the three middle columns are black, and the three lftmost columns are white. Such color coding was common in machines designed for financial calculations. Complementary numbers are indicated. The keys are alternately concave (for odd digits) and flat (for even digits). The keys are worn, and one is missing. The key stems are flat, and become progressively longer as the digits become larger. The subtraction levers are at the same level as the decimal markers.
- The nine numeral wheels are white or turquoise around the rim, depending on the decimal place of the digit indicated. They are visible through windows in the glass. The zeroing handle is on the left. The Model A Comptometer was Felt & Tarrant’s first “duplex” machine, in that it would add in more than one column at a time, each column having the capacity to add, receive, and carry simultaneously. This was not true of the earlier wooden box models.
- The first Model A Comptometer was produced in January 1904 and had serial number 15000. Over 6,200 machines were produced in the next two years. This machine has serial number 17536, which is marked in the center front. It has a metal tag screwed to the top that reads in part: TRADE COMPTOMETER MARK. There are ten patent dates on this tag.
- This machine came to the Smithsonian in 1981 from the collection of Esther S. and James C. Henderson, who ran an office equipment business in Corvallis, Washington.
- For a related adding machine section, see MA*323643.
- References:
- Felt & Tarrant, "Accession Journal ,"1991.3107.06.
- J. H. McCarthy, American Digest of Business Machines, 1924, Catalog Section, p. 71.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1904
- maker
- Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0234.01
- maker number
- 17536
- catalog number
- 1982.0234.01
- accession number
- 1982.0234
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Levin Adding Machine
- Description
- This ten-key non-printing manually operated adding machine has a steel and iron frame. The ten digit keys are arranged in two columns on the left side. Two rows of nine keys across the top indicate the place number of the digit entered. The front row is for addition and the other is for subtraction. To enter a number, both the digit key and the place key were depressed. Numbers through 9,999,999 can be indicated. The metal keys have plastic and paper key tops. The space under the keyboard is covered with green velvet. The result is indicated on a row of red number wheels below these two rows of keys. The machine is stored in a small black suitcase covered with leather, lined with cloth, and provided with a metal handle on top.
- Compare to U.S. patent 815,542, dated March 20, 1906. Other Levin patents are 706,000, July 29, 1902,and 727,392, May 5, 1903.
- Judah Levin, the inventor of this adding machine, was an Orthodox rabbi in Detroit.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1906
- maker
- Levin, Judah L.
- ID Number
- MA*311442
- accession number
- 147976
- catalog number
- 311442
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Universal Model 5 Adding Machine
- Description
- This full keyboard printing manually operated adding machine has a metal and glass case, with the metal painted black. The keyboard is covered with green felt. There are nine columns of black and white color-coded plastic number keys, with a red clearance key at the bottom of each column. Two of the clearance keys are missing. The key stems for the number keys are bent to ensure that the keys form columns. A button on the left clears the entire keyboard. There is also a lever to the right of the keyboard. When it is shifted up, the keyboard automatically zeros after addition. When it is shifted down, the keyboard remains set after an addition, so that the lever also serves as a repeat key. A crank in the right side of the machine drives it. Behind the keyboard are nine white numeral dials that show the result through glass windows in the case. When the repeat lever is shifted up, the clearance button is depressed and the operating crank is brought forward, and the total decreases (it seems likely that this is supposed to zero the adding wheels).
- At the top of the machine is a printing mechanism, with a two-colored ribbon. The carriage is 33 cm. wide, 46 cm. with the handles. The eight platen positions are set manually by release levers at the top. This is a blind printing machine, with the paper or paper tape emerging at the top so that it is visible to the operator. It has a two-color ribbon. A bell on the carriage handle rings when one approaches the bottom of a piece of paper.
- The machine is marked at the front: UNIVERSAL (/) ACCOUNTANT MACHINE CO. (/) St. LOUIS, MO. (/) PAT.APR.20,1897, PAT.NOV.28, 1899, PAT.JULY 24, 1900 (/) PATENTS APPLIED FOR. It is marked behind the keyboard, over the result dials: Universal. It is marked on paper behind the carriage: No UAM (/) CO 5.
- Universal Accountant Machine Company was organized by 1898 and purchased by Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1908. The model originally sold for $300, with electric drive $75 extra. It was introduced in about 1905. Burroughs discontinued production of the machine.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 544.
- E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P. A. Kidwell and M. R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, p. 148.
- The Universal Accountant Machine Company, “1905 Model” and “Universal Adding Machines,” Warshaw Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1906
- maker
- Universal Accountant Machine Company
- ID Number
- MA*323591
- catalog number
- 323591
- accession number
- 250163
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Class 1, Style 3 Adding Machine
- Description
- This relatively early example of a Burroughs full-keyboard printing manually operated adding machine was collected by the rival firm of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company.
- The machine has a ferrous metal frame painted black, with glass sides that reveal the metal mechanism. This mechanism includes a dashpot, a device for cushioning a movement to avoid shock.. There are nine columns of color-coded black and white plastic keys, with two black keys for cents, three white keys for dollars to 999 dollars, three black keys for thousands through 999,000 dollars, and a ninth, leftmost column for millions of dollars. The metal total key is left of the keyboard, and metal error and repeat keys are right of the number keys. The keyboard is covered with green felt. The machine is operated by bringing forward a metal crank with a wooden handle that is on the right side.
- The printing mechanism is at the back of the machine. The carriage is 10 1/4" (26 cm.) wide, and the results printed are not visible to the operator. This carriage can be set in six different positions. It has a pinch roller release to adjust a single sheet of paper, as well as adjustable paper guides. An adjustable release is on the left side at the back. A smaller carriage for rolls of paper 3 1/2” wide. A saw-toothed edge allows one to tear off part of the roll of paper. A row of nine number dials at the front of the machine, inside the case, shows the running total. This machine lacks a paper tape, apparently has no ribbon, and is missing a portion of the glass on the right side.
- The Class 1, Style 3 differs from the other Burroughs Registering Accountant received from the collections of Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company in having a wide movable carriage, separate error and repeat keys, and a register showing running totals at the bottom front of the machine. Compare MA*323592.
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 523.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1903
- maker
- American Arithmometer Company
- ID Number
- MA*323592
- accession number
- 250163
- maker number
- 20167
- catalog number
- 323592
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Gem Adding Machine
- Description
- This small stylus-operated non-printing adding machine has seven chains in parallel columns. The links visible in each column are numbered from 1 to 9. A stylus is placed in a link of the chain and pulled down to enter a digit. Above the columns are seven windows to show results On the right is a knob which may be intended for zeroing. The device sits in a small steel stand that has four rubber feet. The stylus is missing.
- The machine is marked on the bottom: PATENTED MARCH 1ST 1904 - MARCH 27TH 1906. (/) UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING. It is marked on the left side: No. 8445 (/) AUTOMATIC ADDING MACHINE CO. (/) NEW YORK U.S.A. It is marked on the stand: GEM. A paper tag has Felt & Tarrant adding machine collection number 37.
- According to U.S. Census records, Abraham Isaac Gancher was born in Russia of Russian parents in about 1875. He came to the United States in 1892 and initially worked as a leather salesman. He and his wife, Rebecca Gancher, mariied in 1899. Gancher became interested in adding machines a few years later. He was active in the Automatic Adding Machine Company through at least 1918. Nobyoshi A. Kodama, who took out early patents used in the GEM, had pulled out of the picture by 1908.
- Compare to 1981.0935.01.
- Gancher went on to patent and sell a printing adding machine that was also sold by Automatic Adding Machine as the Gancher. See U.S. patents 1047199 (1912) and 1178227 (1916).
- References:
- Ads in Scientific American, vol. 95, October, 1906, p. 314; vol. 96, March 2, 1907, p. 203; and vol. 96, Mar. 30, 1907.
- Nobyoshi A. Kodama, “Automatic Adding and subtracting Apparatus,” U.S. Patent 783,586, March 1, 1904. Kodama was a subject of the Emperor of Japan living in New York City, New York. He assigned half of the patent to Rebecca Gancher of New York, N.Y.
- Nobyoshi A. Kodama and Abraham I. Gancher, “Adding-Machine,” U.S. Patent 816,342, March 27, 1906. Kodama was a subject of the Mikado of Japan. Both he and Gancher, a U.S. citizen, were living in Manhattan, New York. The patent was assigned to Automatic Adding Machine Company of New York, N.Y.
- Abraham I. Gancher and Albert T. Zabriskie, “Adding-Machine,” U.S. Patent 847,759, March 19,1907. This patent describes the stand. It was assigned to Automatic Adding Machine Company of New York, N.Y.
- Abraham I. Gancher, “Adding-Machine,” U.S. Patent 1015307, January 31, 1912.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1906
- maker
- Automatic Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- MA*323621
- accession number
- 250163
- catalog number
- 323621
- maker number
- 8445
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Calcumeter
- Description
- This eight-wheeled stylus operated non-printing adding machine has wheels of brass and copper and a steel frame. Two metal supports on the back can be lowered so that the machine is at an angle rather than lying flat. The machine is marked on the front: THE CALCUMETER. It is marked on the right side: H.N.MORSE (/) TRENTON,N.J. It is marked on the left: 18143 (/) PAT’D DEC 17 ‘01. This is number 38 in the Felt & Tarrant collection.
- The Calcumeter was invented by James J. Walsh of Elizabeth, N.J. who applied for a patent January 16, 1901, and was granted it December 17, 1901 (U.S. Patent 689,225). Walsh went on to patent a resetting device for the machine on September 1, 1908 (U.S. Patent #897,688). This example of the machine does not have that mechanism. The instrument was first manufactured by Morse & Walsh Company in 1903 and 1904, but by 1906 was produced by Herbert North Morse of Trenton. Morse was a native of New Jersey who attended the South Jersey Institute in Bridgeton, N.J. and then spent a year at Harvard College. By 1916, he not only owned the Calcumeter adding machine business, but was assistant commissioner of education for the state of New Jersey.
- Compare MA*335352.
- Reference:
- Harvard College Class of 1896, "Report V," June, 1916, Norwood, Massachusetts: Plimpton Press, p. 192.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1901
- maker
- Morse, H. N.
- ID Number
- MA*323622
- accession number
- 250163
- catalog number
- 323622
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Comptograph
- Description
- After Dorr E Felt invented and began to sell successfully a key-driven adding machine known as the Comptometer, he designed a printing adding machine dubbed the Comptograph. This example has a cherrywood case and eight columns of metal key stems, with turquoise and white color-coded discs set in the metal key tops. Digits and complements of digits are shown on the discs. Each column has nine keys. The cover under the keys consists of metal slats with holes drilled in them, with one slat for each column of keys. A glass window at the front shows nine metal wheels that record totals.
- On the right side toward the front are a knob and a lever. Depressing the lever allows one to turn the knob and zero the total. Immediately to the right of the keyboard is a small lever, which is pushed up to release the keys. Further to the right are two large buttons attached to levers. When the button at the right back is depressed, the carriage moves to a new column. The other button on the right may advance the paper. To the left at the front is another large button on a straight shaft (depressing this button probably is intended to print totals or subtotals). At the back of the machine is a wide carriage, the printing mechanism for the adding machine, and a ribbon. This mechanism prints eight-digit entries and totals. A bell on top of each of the spools for the ribbon rings to warn that the ribbon is almost unwound.
- The machine is stamped on the front below the glass window: 1902. It is marked on a metal plate screwed to the right side: MODEL A No 1902 (/) PATENTED. It is also marked there: MAR. 11. 1902. It is also marked there: OTHER PATENTS PENDING. (/) COMPTOGRAPH CO. (/) CHICAGO, U.S.A.
- The coloring of the keys resembles that on the Comptometer with catalog number MA*248688, which dates from 1898, and the Comptograph with typewriter MA*323636. The Accession Journal dates this machine to 1900, but the tag screwed to the machine indicates a slightly later date.
- References:
- Felt & Tarrant, Accession Journal, 1991.3107.06.
- Pamphlet 1994.3060.05.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1900
- maker
- Comptograph Company
- ID Number
- MA*323632
- catalog number
- 323632
- maker number
- 1902
- accession number
- 250163
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Comptograph with Typewriter
- Description
- In the first half of the 20th century, a few companies manufactured accounting machines that could both type text and carry out routine calculations. This is an experimental combined typewriter and adding machine.
- It has a cherrywood case and eight columns of metal key stems, with turquoise and white color-coded discs set in the metal key tops. Digits and complements of digits are shown on the discs. There are nine keys in each column. The cover under the keys consists of metal slats with holes drilled in them. There is one slat for each column of keys. A glass window at the front shows nine metal wheels that record totals. Only eight-digit entries and totals print. On the right side toward the front are a knob and a lever. Depressing the lever allows one to turn the knob and zero the total. Immediately to the right of the keyboard is a small lever that is pushed up to release the keys. Further to the right are two large buttons attached to levers. To the left at the front is another large button on a straight shaft.
- Behind and above the keyboard is a typewriter with QWERTY keyboard. The type for the typewriter is below these keys. There is a lever on the upper left side of the typewriter carriage to shift the case of the letters and one on the upper right of the typewriter to slide the carriage left or right. At the back is a wide carriage, the printing mechanism for the adding machine, and a ribbon. There are two bells under the typewriter, one on top of each spool of the ribbon.
- According to documentation, this machine was an experimental model of inventor Dorr E. Felt and never led to any patent or product. The coloring of the keys resembles that on Comptometer MA*248688, which dates from 1898 and Comptograph MA*323632, which dates from 1900.
- Reference:
- Accession Journal, 1991.3107.06.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1900
- maker
- Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- MA*323636
- catalog number
- 323636
- accession number
- 250163
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Comptometer Model C Section
- Description
- This model has one column of nine white plastic keys and a second column of nine black plastic keys. Digits and complementary digits are indicated on the keys. Keys for odd digits are concave, and those for even digits are flat. The mechanism is of steel and the 3 numeral wheels have a black plastic rim. There are two subtraction levers at the base of the keyboard and a crank on the right. The entire model rests on a wooden base. There is no cover. The model was used as reference by Dorr E. Felt and J. A. V. Turck in developing the mechanism for production of the Model C Comptometer.
- Reference:
- Felt & Tarrant, Accession Journal, 1991.3107.06.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1909
- maker
- Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- MA*323642
- catalog number
- 323642
- accession number
- 250163
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center