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 59 items.
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Sterling 544 Protractor and Drawing Instrument
- Description
- This clear plastic semicircular protractor is contained within an irregularly shaped piece of plastic that features a French curve at the top, two triangles (of 60° and 45°) on the sides, and a 5-1/2" scale along the bottom.
- The scale is divided to 16ths of an inch and is marked by single inches from 1" to 5". The protractor is divided to single degrees and marked by tens from 10° to 90° to 170° and from 170° to 90° to 10°. A semicircular slot separates the protractor from the French curve. Cut-out stencils for six circles range in diameter from 1/8" to 7/16". Also included are two slots for drawing angles of 30° and 45° and templates for an equilateral hexagon and two closed curves. On the curve the object is marked: SP [/] PROTRACTOR – FRENCH CURVE – TRIANGLES – RULER – CIRCLE GAUGES. Between the protractor and scale, the object is marked: MADE IN U.S.A.; 2; STERLING 544. The markings were stamped in black but are wearing off.
- Sterling Plastics was operated by George and Mary Staab in Mountainside, N. J., through the late 1960s. It was a division of Borden Chemical Company in the 1970s and 1980s, during which time this object was called the 7-IN-1 Protractor. For other products of Sterling Plastics, see slide rule 1988.0807.01 and adding machine MA*335327. James J. Williams gave this protractor to the Smithsonian.
- Reference: Toxic Substances Control Act: Trademarks and Product Names Reported in Conjunction with the Chemical Substance Initial Inventory (Washington, D.C.: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1979), 90.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1975
- maker
- Sterling Plastics
- ID Number
- 1998.3104.01
- nonaccession number
- 1998.3104
- catalog number
- 1998.3104.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model 8N-213 Calculating Machine
- Description
- This fully automatic electric non-printing modified stepped drum calculating machine has a gray and black steel frame, and ten columns of gray and white oblong plastic keys. At the bottom of each column is a key for clearing it. Between the columns of keys and under the keyboard are metal rods which turn to serve as decimal markers. They are painted white on one side and the same black as the case on the other.
- To the right of the number keys are subtraction and addition bars, two carriage shift keys, and a green enter multiplier key. Below these are three levers, one to set repeated entries, one for multiplication, and one for non-entry. Below these are three red keys relating to entering the dividend, a gray keyboard clearance key, and a lock lever. Beneath the number keys are five keys relating to multiplication and division. A DIVD ALIGN key is left of these.
- The carriage in back of the keyboard has ten dials to show a number set up for multiplication, 21 dials to show the result, and a row containing ten white dials and then 11 black dials. Sliding decimal markers are provided. The dials showing numbers set up for multiplication can be set at any of five positions. A metal piece slides over the windows for these dials to indicate the decimal point. A gray electrical cord attaches to the back. The gray cover is separate.
- A mark on the carriage reads: MONROE. The same mark is on the back of the machine, with the Monroe logo trademarked in 1956. A mark on both right and left sides reads: MONROmatic. A paper sticker glued to the bottom of the machine reads: MONROE (/) CALCULATING MACHINE (/) COMPANY, INC. (/) ORANGE, N.J. U.S.A.. It also is marked with patent numbers that range from 2,250,403 to 2,732,129. The second patent date is from 1953. A metal tag attached to the bottom of the machine reads: MODEL 8N-213 (/) SERIAL B973812B. There is no mention of Litton Industries, which acquired Monroe Calculating Machine Company in 1958.
- According to the accession file, the machine was purchased by the University of Pittsburgh 14 September 1960, at a cost of $880, for use in parapsychological research.
- Compare to MA*335425 and 1984.3046.01.
- Reference:
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1960
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1980.0255.01
- catalog number
- 1980.0255.01
- maker number
- B973812B
- accession number
- 1980.0255
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4053-3 Polyphase Mannheim Duplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch one-sided wooden slide rule is coated with white celluloid. The indicator is glass with white plastic edges attached by metal screws. The base has A, D, and K scales. The slide has B, CI, and C scales on one side of the slide and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The top and bottom edges are beveled; the top has a simply divided scale 10 inches long and divided to sixteenths of an inch, while the bottom has a simply divided scale 25 centimeters long and divided to millimeters.
- The left end of the slide has the model number in red: 4053-3. The right end is marked in red: © (/) K+E. The left end of the back of the slide has a serial number: 169518. Underneath the slide is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.; MADE IN U.S.A. Engraved directly on the back of the rule are tables of measures labeled: CONVERSION FACTORS. Centered underneath the tables is: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO.
- Keuffel & Esser made slide rules of this type from 1909 to 1967. McCoy notes that this version of model 4053-3 (with this model number and the engraved tables) was introduced in 1954. In 1959, the rule sold in a plain case for $13.50. In 1962, model number 4053-3 was changed to 68-1622. The serial number suggests a date closer to the late 1950s than to the early 1960s. Compare to the earlier rule, 1981.0933.05.
- References: Peter M. Hopp, Slide Rules: Their History, Models, and Makers (Mendham, N.J.: Astragal Press, 1999), 192; Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4053 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4053family.htm; K+E Catalog, 42nd ed. (New York, 1954), 271; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; Eric Marcotte, "The Evolution of a Slide Rule – The K&E 4053-3," http://www.sliderule.ca/4053.htm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1954-1962
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0922.08
- accession number
- 1981.0922
- catalog number
- 1981.0922.08
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser N4053-3 Polyphase Mannheim Simplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch one-sided mahogany slide rule is coated with white celluloid. The top is beveled and bears a scale of nine inches whose ends may have broken off. The base has A, D, and K scales. The slide has B, CI, and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The indicator is glass with plastic edges held together with metal screws. The top plastic edge is broken. The front edge of the rule has a scale of 25 centimeters. A paper table of equivalents and slide rule settings, based on U. S. Bureau of Standards Circular No. 47, is pasted to the back of the rule. Compare the table to 1999.0254.01.
- The top of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5, 1900; KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; MADE IN U.S.A. The right end of the slide is marked in red: < N4053-3 >. The left end of the other side of the slide and the scale of centimeters have the serial number: 350305. The top of the base and under the slide are scratched with the initials: PML. The bottom plastic edge of the indicator is marked: PATENT 2,086,502, with K&E CO. N.Y., on the back of the edge.
- Keuffel & Esser of New York sold this slide rule as model N4053-3 from 1925 through 1953. Illustrations in K&E catalogs include the patent date of June 5, 1900, from 1925 through 1934. The serial number suggests the rule was made closer to 1934. However, the patent on the indicator was issued in 1937, suggesting that this part was replaced after the rule was purchased. Compare to 1981.0922.08.
- William J. Ellenberger (1908–2008) donated this object. He studied electrical and mechanical engineering at The George Washington University between 1925 and 1934. He then worked for the Potomac Electric Power Company and the National Bureau of Standards. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was a civilian construction management engineer for the army from 1954 to 1968, when he became a private consultant.
- References: Adolf W. Keuffel, "Runner for Slide Rules" (U.S. Patent 2,086,502 issued July 6, 1937); Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4053 Family of Slide Rules," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4053family.htm; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; Wayne E. Feely, "K & E Slide Rules," The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association 49, no. 5 (June 1996): 50–52; "The GW Engineering Hall of Fame 2006 Inductees," http://www.weas.gwu.edu/ifaf/hall_of_fame_inductees_2006.php.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1925-1934
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1981.0933.05
- catalog number
- 1981.0933.05
- accession number
- 1981.0933
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model KA 160 Calculating Machine
- Description
- In 1921 the Monroe Calculating Machine Company expanded its offerings to include calculating machines of several different capacities, selling the new machines as the model K. Soon thereafter, it began to sell automatic or electrically powered machines. This is an example of Monroe’s first electrically powered model, the KA.
- The full-keyboard non-printing modified stepped drum machine has a metal frame painted black, with rounded corners. The steel plate under the keyboard is painted green. Eight columns of black and white plastic concave keys are colored according to the place value of the digit represented, with a red clearance key at the bottom of each column. Rods between the rows of keys serve as decimal markers. They are painted the same green as the plate underneath them on one side and white on the other.
- To the right of the number keys are two bars and three keys in a column. The bars are for addition and subtraction. One key clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation. A metal lever and a metal knob are to the left of the keyboard. A crank for operating the machine fits into the right side. It rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction. A black motor attached to the left side at the back can be used to drive the machine. It has an on-off switch.
- Behind the keyboard is a carriage that has a row of 16 numeral dials for recording results and a row of eight numeral dials behind these in the revolution register. Two thin metal rods between the rows of windows carry decimal markers. A crank for shifting the carriage is at the front of the machine; a knob for lifting the carriage is to the right of the result register; and a crank for zeroing dials on the carriage is on its right side. The machine has four rubber feet and a black two-pronged electrical cord.
- A mark on the front reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York. The serial number, on the frame of the mechanism on the right side under the carriage is: A7530. A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #253. This is model #253 from the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
- Compare MA*334711, MA*304386, 1983.0831.1, and 1984.0682.05.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 551.
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1928, vol. 2, pp. 9-29 to 9-33.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1925
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.57
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.57
- maker number
- A7530
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Calculating Machine
- Description
- This full-keyboard, non-printing, manual, modified stepped drum calculating machine has a metal frame painted black, with rounded corners. The eight columns of black and white plastic keys have a red clearance key at the bottom of each column. Rotating rods between the rows of keys serve as decimal markers. Three keys are in a column to the right of the number keys. One clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation. The operating crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage that has a row of 16 numeral dials for recording results and a row of eight numeral dials behind these that serves as a revolution register. Digits for the revolution register are red and black. Between the windows for these registers are two thin metal rods that carry decimal markers. The carriage shift lever is at the front of the machine. On the carriage, to the right of the result register, is a lifting knob. A crank on the right of the carriage for zeros registers on it. The machine has four rubber feet.
- A mark on the front reads: MONROE. A red tag attached to it reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #254. A white tag attached to it reads: Monroe Calculator 8 Banks (/) Hand Side Crank (/) #92701 (/) (A. Williamson) (/) Rack B Shelf #3.
- This is model #254 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. Date based on assumption model number is 92701.
- Compare to MA*334711, MA*307386, and 1983.0831.1.
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 551.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1927
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.58
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.58
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model K-121 Calculating Machine
- Description
- This manual, full-keyboard non-printing modified stepped drum calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and a steel keyboard painted green. In the six columns of black and white color-coded keys, keys for odd digits are concave and those for even digits are relatively flat. At the bottom of each column is a red clearance key. Metal rods between the rows of keys serve as decimal markers.
- Three key stems are in a column to the right of the number keys. One clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation. The keys for these key stems are missing. A metal lever is to the right of the keyboard and a metal knob to the left. The operating crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- The carriage in back of the keyboard has a row of 12 white numeral dials for recording results and a row of six numeral dials behind these in the revolution register. The revolution register has black digits for addition and red ones for subtraction. There is no carry in the revolution register. Two thin metal rods between the windows of these registers carry decimal markers. The carriage shift lever is at the front of the machine. To the right of the result register is a knob for lifting the carriage. A zeroing crank for dials on the carriage is on its right side. A bell rings when the result passes through zero (as in over-division). The machine has four rubber feet.
- A mark on the front reads: MONROE. A mark on the back reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York, U.S.A.. Stamped on the edge of the carriage on the back left is the serial number: 77811.
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, pp. 9-29 to 9-33.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1926
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1984.0682.04
- catalog number
- 1984.0682.04
- maker number
- 77811
- accession number
- 1984.0682
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model K-16 Calculating Machine
- Description
- The manual, full-keyboard non-printing modified stepped drum calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and a steel keyboard painted green. Eight columns of uniformly shaped black and white color-coded keys serve for data entry. At the bottom of each column is a red clearance key. Metal rods between the rows of keys are decimal markers. Three key stems are in a column to the right of the number keys. One clears the entire keyboard. The other two are set to determine whether or not the keyboard clears after each calculation (at least one of these keys looks like a replacement). A metal lever is right of the keyboard and a metal knob to the left. The operating crank on the right side rotates clockwise for addition and counterclockwise for subtraction.
- The carriage behind the keyboard has a row of 16 black numeral dials for recording results, and a row of eight white numeral dials which serve as a revolution register. The revolution register, which has no carry, has black digits for addition and red ones for subtraction. Two thin metal rods between the windows for these registers carry decimal markers. The carriage shift crank is at the front of the machine. A knob for lifting the carriage is right of the result register, and a crank for zeroing dials on the carriage is on its right side. There are four rubber feet. A bell rings when the result passes through zero (as in over-division).
- A mark on the front of the machine reads: MONROE. A mark on the back reads: MONROE (/) Calculating Machine Company (/) New York, U.S.A. The serial number, recorded on the bottom edge of the left side of the carriage, is 91928
- Reference:
- J. H. McCarthy, The Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, pp. 9-29 to 9-33.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1927
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1984.0682.05
- catalog number
- 1984.0682.05
- maker number
- 91928
- accession number
- 1984.0682
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Keuffel & Esser 4055 Favorite Simplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This ten-inch mahogany linear slide rule is coated with white celluloid on the front and both sides of the slide. The base has A and D scales. The slide has B and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other. A paper table of equivalents and slide rule settings, based on U. S. Bureau of Standards Circular No. 47, is pasted to the back of the rule. See also 2001.0117.01. According to Eric Marcotte, this circular was in force from 1914 to 1936. Keuffel & Esser included it on slide rules from the 1920s to the 1950s.
- The indicator is glass with a plastic frame, of the style used by Keuffel & Esser between 1915 and 1937, based on the patent indicated by the mark on the top edge of the frame: K&E.CO.N.Y. (/) PAT.8.17.15. The top of the base is marked in red: PAT. JUNE 5, 1900; KEUFFEL & ESSER CO. N.Y.; MADE IN U.S.A. For more on this patent, see MA*322761. Four expressions have been scratched into the front of the slide: x = A + B; ÷ = A – B; x – 1; ÷ + 1. The model number is printed at the right end in red: < 4055 >. The left end of the back of the slide and the front left corner of the base are marked with a serial number: 190673.
- The rule is in a cardboard case covered with black morocco leather and heavily taped. It is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER (/) FAVORITE (/) SLIDE RULE (/) 4055. It is also marked on the tape near one end: E. HELLER (/) ΣΦΕ. On the other side of that end, it is marked on the tape: PROPERTY OF (/) PETER (/) HELLER. K&E sold model 4055 from 1927 to 1943; the serial number suggests a date closer to 1927, when the instrument sold for $4.00. One owner of this slide rule was the mechanical engineer Edward Lincoln Heller (1912–2007), who received a BSfrom Lehigh University in 1934 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1939. It seems likely that he used the slide rule as a college student.
- References: Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule" (U.S. Patent 651,142 issued June 5, 1900); Willie L. E. Keuffel, "Slide-Rule Runner" (U.S. Patent 1,150,771 issued August 17, 1915); Eric Marcotte, "The Evolution of a Slide Rule – The K&E 4053-3," http://www.sliderule.ca/4053.htm; Clark McCoy, "Collection of Pages from K&E Catalogs for the 4055 Family," http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KEModels/ke4055family.htm; Ed Chamberlain, "Estimating K&E Slide Rule Dates," 27 December 2000, http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/ke/320-k+e_date2.jpg; "Heller, Edward L.," American Men and Women of Science, 12th ed. (New York: J. Cattell Press, 1972), 2620.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1927-1943
- maker
- Keuffel & Esser Co.
- ID Number
- 1984.1068.01
- catalog number
- 1984.1068.01
- accession number
- 1984.1068
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Monroe Model 8N-213 Calculating Machine
- Description
- This fully automatic, non-printing electric modified stepped drum calculating machine has a gray and black steel frame and ten columns of gray and white oblong plastic keys. At the bottom of each column is a clearance key. Between the columns of keys and under the keyboard are metal rods that turn to serve as decimal markers. An automatic keyboard clear switch is in the front. To the right of the number keys are subtraction and addition bars, two carriage shift keys, and a green key. Below these are three levers, one to set repeated entries, one for multiplication, and one for non-entry. Below these are three red keys relating to entering the dividend, a gray keyboard clear key, and a lock lever. Beneath the number keys are five keys relating to multiplication and division. A DIVD ALIGN key is left of these.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage with ten dials to show a number set up for multiplication, 21 dials to show the result, and a row containing ten white dials on the left and then 11 black dials. The white dials are revolution register dials that show multipliers in black or quotients in red. These do not have a carry. The black dials also register the multiplier in multiplication and the quotient in division and have a carry. Above the black dials is a row plastic buttons, eight red and one yellow. The red buttons are tab stops for the carriage, and the yellow button releases the red ones. Sliding decimal markers are provided. A gray-green electric cord plugs into the back of the machine.
- A mark on the carriage reads: MONROE. The same mark is on the back of the machine, with the Monroe logo trademarked in 1956. A mark on both right and left sides reads: MONROmatic. A paper sticker glued to the bottom of the machine reads: MONROE (/) CALCULATING MACHINE (/) COMPANY, INC. (/) ORANGE, N.J. U.S.A.. It also is marked with patent numbers that range from 2,250,403 to 2,732,129. The second patent date is from 1953. A metal tag attached to the bottom of the machine reads: MODEL 8N-213 (/) SERIAL J903574. There is no mention of Litton Industries, which acquired Monroe Calculating Machine Company in 1958.
- Compare to MA*335425 and 1980.0255.01.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1960
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1984.3046.01
- catalog number
- 1984.3046.01
- maker number
- J903574
- nonaccession number
- 1984.3046
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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