Science & Mathematics

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.

This German full-keyboard electric proportional rod calculating machine is black, painted green under the keyboard. It has 16 columns of black, white, and red octagonal plastic keys. The machine records multipliers of up to eight digits and products of up to 16 digits.
Description
This German full-keyboard electric proportional rod calculating machine is black, painted green under the keyboard. It has 16 columns of black, white, and red octagonal plastic keys. The machine records multipliers of up to eight digits and products of up to 16 digits. Keys for correction, division and multiplication are left of the keyboard, and keys for subtraction and addition are to the right. The carriage at the back of the machine has four rows of number dials. One row is covered at any given time. In back of the topmost row of number dials is a set of thumbscrews. The motor is in the back of the machine’s case, with a rubber cord extending from it.
A mark on the right front reads: MERCEDES- (/) EUKLID (/) Mod.38MS. A mark on the back reads: Mercedes Euklid. A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #146. It was model #146 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. It has serial number: 62941. The serial number dates the machine from after 1939. It was manufactured until about 1953.
References:
American Office Machines Research Service, vol. 3, section 4.3 (September 1938), p. 49.
Fédération Nationale des Chambres Syndicales de la Mécanographie,Fédération de Reprise officielle des Machines à Ecrire, Machines à Calculer . . ., Lyon, 1970, p. 72.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1946
maker
Mercedes-Bureau-Maschinen-GES.m.b.H.
ID Number
1982.0794.25
catalog number
1982.0794.25
accession number
1982.0794
maker number
62941
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. The toothed brass bar is grooved on the bottom with a flat steel strip attached in the groove.Compare to 311943.Currently not on view
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. The toothed brass bar is grooved on the bottom with a flat steel strip attached in the groove.
Compare to 311943.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hans W. Egli
ID Number
1983.3003.016
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.016
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.
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 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
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. Each of these seven small brass pieces is hollow with two gearwheels protruding from it. They resemble components on the shaft of 1983.3003.18.
Description
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. Each of these seven small brass pieces is hollow with two gearwheels protruding from it. They resemble components on the shaft of 1983.3003.18. Also compare to 311948.
Dimensions given are those of each object.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hans W. Egli
ID Number
1983.3003.022
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.022
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The frame supports a shaft, which in turn holds twelve number wheels.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The frame supports a shaft, which in turn holds twelve number wheels. Each wheel has the numbers from 0 to 9 indicated on it in white. Each is linked to a spring and to a gear.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Lehigh Corporation
ID Number
1983.3003.002
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.002
This full-keyboard, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and nine columns of black and white plastic keys. At the base of each bank of keys is a red clearance key.
Description
This full-keyboard, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and nine columns of black and white plastic keys. At the base of each bank of keys is a red clearance key. The columns of the keyboard are identified below the keys, going from right to left. The underlying keyboard is painted green. Between banks of keys are rotating metal rods for decimal markers.
Right of the number keys is a red clear key and a red ADD key. When the add key is depressed, the keyboard clears after each operation.The operating crank on the right rotates backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division. It is further toward the front of the machine than on the model KC, and has no stop.
Behind the keyboard is a movable carriage with the 18-window result register. A crank at the front of the machine shifts the carriage and a mechanism on the left end of the carriage apparently is meant to clear it. Behind and above the carriage is a row of nine windows showing digits entered, a lever that can be set for multiplication or division, and a row of nine windows for the revolution register. A small crank on the right side clears this register. Metal rods with sliding decimal markers are above all three registers. The machine has four rubber feet. A bell rings when the result passes through zero.
Plates attached to the right and left sides read: MARCHANT. Metal plate to the right of the keyboard reads: MARCHANT (/) CALCULATORS (/) SIMPLICITY (/) ACCURACY (/) SPEED. Metal tag attached to base reads: H9-8090. Masking tape on the top of the machine reads: 1250, Mark on bottom of machine reads:10004.
The model H9 was introduced in 1927. It sold for $350 in 1930 and 1931. In 1933, the “MARCHANT” plates on the sides of the machine were replaced by lettering on the sides, hence the date given.
References:
Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, vol. I, p. 9-23;
Office Machines Research Service, 1938, vol. 3, 4.31, p. 1–6; 1979.3084.98.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
ID Number
1985.0821.01
catalog number
1985.0821.01
accession number
1985.0821
maker number
H9-8090
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. It consists of a steel frame, shaft and gears with metal number wheels.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. It consists of a steel frame, shaft and gears with metal number wheels. Eighteen large number wheels are on the right, each with the numbers from 0 to 9. Ten smaller wheels are on the left, each carrying the numbers from 0 to 8 in white and then from 9 to 1 in red. The wing nuts at either end are used for zeroing, while a lever in front sets the decimal point. A bell is on the left side. Compare to calculating machine 309542 (a Brunsviga Midget).
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Grimme, Natalis & Co.
ID Number
1983.3003.001
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.001
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian.
Description
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The steel component has nine numeral wheels arranged on a shaft, which in turn is linked to a larger shaft, various springs, and larger discs.
Reference:
Museum of the Peaceful Arts, 1927, vol. 6.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Ensign Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1983.3003.053
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.053
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. They are five banks for an adding machine.
Description
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. They are five banks for an adding machine. The metal frame of each bank contains nine key stems with white plastic keys, a numeral wheel at the top of the keys, and related mechanisms. The metal strip below the keys is painted green. The key stems are held in place with a string.
Compare to 1983.3003.08 and 1983.30033.09. See also 311948.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Controller Company
ID Number
1983.3003.040
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.040
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The metal frame contains eight key stems with white plastic keys.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The metal frame contains eight key stems with white plastic keys. A numeral wheel is at the top of the keys. The metal strip immediately below the keys is painted green. The key stems are tied together with string.
Compare 1983.3003.09 and 1983.3003.40. May be from 311948.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Controller Company
ID Number
1983.3003.008
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.008
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke.
Description
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. The cloth bag held two frame pieces, nine key stems with white keys,one key stem with a red key, two numeral wheels (one with red and black numbers on white and one white numbers on black), four pieces from a selector mechanism and carry trigger (three disc-shaped and one shaped like a spool of thread), twp small metal pieces, and five small screws in two shapes.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.3003.034
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.034
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.
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
These three round steel shafts were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. One carries a stepped drum and all have other components on them.
Description
These three round steel shafts were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. One carries a stepped drum and all have other components on them. The dimensions given are those of each object.
Compare objects1983.3003.19 and 311943.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Controller Company
ID Number
1983.3003.038
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.038
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. Each of these nine steel gears has the dimensions given. Each gear has twelve teeth.Currently not on view
Description
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. Each of these nine steel gears has the dimensions given. Each gear has twelve teeth.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.3003.029
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.029
This illustrated instruction book explains the use of the LA-X line of Monroe calculating machines. It was received with a Monroe LA 200 (1986.0131.01).Currently not on view
Description
This illustrated instruction book explains the use of the LA-X line of Monroe calculating machines. It was received with a Monroe LA 200 (1986.0131.01).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947
ID Number
1986.0131.02
accession number
1986.0131
catalog number
1986.0131.02
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. Each of these small brass and steel calculating machine components has the dimensions given. The brass frame contains a spring-driven prawl.Currently not on view
Description
These objects were collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke. Each of these small brass and steel calculating machine components has the dimensions given. The brass frame contains a spring-driven prawl.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1983.3003.026
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.026
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The mechanism has an array of nine pinwheels with nine intermediate wheels and four circular segments. All these parts are on a single shaft.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Marchant Calculators
ID Number
1983.3003.013
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.013
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. It is the base of a Marchant calculating machine, holding at the front the carriage, levers for moving the carriage, and zeroing screws. The carriage has ten numeral wheels in one section and eighteen in the other.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Marchant Calculators
ID Number
1983.3003.012
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.012
The large heavy adding and calculating machines that began to sell widely in the early 20th century were not easy to move about. Purchasers also often bought metal stands like this one. The object is painted black and has four rubber feet.
Description
The large heavy adding and calculating machines that began to sell widely in the early 20th century were not easy to move about. Purchasers also often bought metal stands like this one. The object is painted black and has four rubber feet. Stands for smaller machines would often have a shelf on which the operator could place related paperwork.
For related object, see Millionaire calculating machine 1986.3114.01.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1904
maker
Egli, Hans W.
ID Number
1986.3114.02
catalog number
1986.3114.02
nonaccession number
1986.3114
When the Scheutz difference engine was shipped to the Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York, in 1857, all the instructions provided for its use were this set of drawings and a letter explaining the procedure for converting the machine from operation in one number system to anoth
Description
When the Scheutz difference engine was shipped to the Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York, in 1857, all the instructions provided for its use were this set of drawings and a letter explaining the procedure for converting the machine from operation in one number system to another.
The frail tan paper sheet has a white cloth backing. On the sheet are 14 drawings labeled Fig. 1 through Figure 14. The figures are similar to but not identical with those in the final specifications for British Patent A.D. 1854, No. 2214, as reproduced in Merzbach. The numbering is somewhat different.
For a related object, see the Scheutz difference engine, MA.323659.
Reference:
Merzbach, Uta C., Georg Scheutz and the First Printing Calculator, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1977.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1857
maker
Georg and Edvard Scheutz
ID Number
1988.0798.01
accession number
1988.0798
catalog number
1988.0798.01
These components are six round steel shafts, each carrying a metal stepped drum and related components. Five of them are marked with the number of the Museums of the Peaceful Arts: 27-70. A sixth shaft had no mark.Compare to 1983.3003.38.Currently not on view
Description
These components are six round steel shafts, each carrying a metal stepped drum and related components. Five of them are marked with the number of the Museums of the Peaceful Arts: 27-70. A sixth shaft had no mark.
Compare to 1983.3003.38.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Controller Company
ID Number
1983.3003.019
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.019
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. Nine cylinders are mounted on a common shaft.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. Nine cylinders are mounted on a common shaft. Each of the first four cylinders has a lever and a spring-activated device attached to it. On the fourth cylinder, there is a linkage to a fifth cylinder. The fifth cylinder has only a spring-activated device attached to it. The sixth through ninth cylinders have two such devices each, at varying separations. There are levers to the left of each cylinder.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
George B. Grant
ID Number
1983.3003.011
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.011
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The black metal plate has silver-colored parts.
Description
This object was collected by Brooklyn high school teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke and held by the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City before coming to the Smithsonian. The black metal plate has silver-colored parts. Eleven numeral wheels are mounted on it, with another missing. A mark on the object reads: THIS PLATE NEVER TO BE TAKEN OFF!
Compare to 311943.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hans W. Egli
ID Number
1983.3003.015
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.015
This lever-set, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal housing and metal base, both painted black. The nine levers for setting entries are topped with red or white plastic covers.
Description
This lever-set, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal housing and metal base, both painted black. The nine levers for setting entries are topped with red or white plastic covers. A bar in front of the levers can be raised to zero them (there is no entry register). The steel operating crank with wooden handle extends from the right side of the machine. It rotates backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division.
At the front of the machine is a movable carriage with 13 windows that show dials of the result register on the right and nine windows for the revolution register on the left. Dials in the revolution register are black for addition and red for subtraction. Decimal markers slide above both of these registers and above the setting levers. Moving a sturdy brass lever at the front shifts the carriage. A zeroing lever on the right side of the carriage zeros the result register when turned clockwise, and the revolution register when turned counterclockwise. The machine has a metal base with rubber feet, but has no cover.
A triangular metal tag attached left of the levers reads: MARCHANT (/) CALCULATORS (/) SIMPLICITY (/) ACCURACY (/) SPEED. A worn paper tag glued to the back of the machine reads: MANUFACTURED BY (/) MARCHANT CALCULATING MACHINE (/) OAKLAND CALIFORNIA U.S.A. (/) PATENTED IN UNITED STATES & FOREIGN COUNTRIES (/) UNITED STATES [. . .] 76,197 DEC 4. 1923 (/) AUSTRALIA 5,861 March 2. 1922 (/) CANADA 239,984 MAY 13. 1924 (/) CHILE 4,884 OCT 18. 1922 (/) GREAT BRITAIN 185,852 June 14. 1921 (/) HOLLAND & COLONIES 11,299 April 16. 1924 (/) JAPAN 40,871 NOV. 30 1921 (/) SOUTH AFRICA 78 JAN 27. 1922 (/) OTHER UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN PATENTS (/) ISSUED AND PENDING. No serial number found.
According to Marchant Math-Mechanics, a publication for the sales staff of Marchant, the model XLA was introduced in 1928 as a relatively inexpensive calculating machine that could be placed “on every desk.” It cost $125, and had a smaller capacity than the model XL. The experiment proved unsuccessful, and the machine was discontinued in 1931.
Reference:
Marchant Math-Mechanics, vol. 7, 1940, p. 132.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
ID Number
1984.0682.02
catalog number
1984.0682.02
accession number
1984.0682

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