Science & Mathematics

Chemical Balance

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.

Date: 1950s

Commonwealth 581 Admiration Professional Simplex Slide Rule

The Commonwealth Plastics Corporation of Leominster, Mass., a manufacturer of plastic toys, dolls, and other goods, made this one-sided, six-inch inexpensive white molded plastic slide rule with a clear plastic frameless indicator.
Description
The Commonwealth Plastics Corporation of Leominster, Mass., a manufacturer of plastic toys, dolls, and other goods, made this one-sided, six-inch inexpensive white molded plastic slide rule with a clear plastic frameless indicator. The base has A and D scales, with B, CI, and C scales on the slide. The slide also has linear scales along its edges, inches divided to sixteenths of an inch and centimeters divided to millimeters. The back of the rule has a table of equivalents and abbreviations. The back is marked in script: Admiration. It is also marked: U.S.A. The rule fits into two slots in a yellow card. The front of the paper holder is marked: Instructions for use (/) on back of card; Admiration (/) PROFESSIONAL SLIDE RULE; EASY TO USE (/) No. 581. The back of the card gives directions and examples for reading the scales, locating the decimal point, multiplication, division, squares, square roots, and cubes. The card and rule are in a plastic bag stamped: 30¢.
Commonwealth Plastics was founded around 1923 and remained in business at 98 Adams Street until at least 1960. It was not a major manufacturer of slide rules.
References: "William Morris Lester (1908–2005)," The Plastics Collection, Syracuse University Library Special Collections Research Center, http://scrc.syr.edu:8080/content/lester_wm.php; Karen Nugent, "A City in the Making, from Pianos to Plastics: Industrial Past Spotlighted for Tour," Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, Mass., May 27, 2010; ad for Extrusion Supervisor, The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H., February 12, 1960, 10.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
maker
Commonwealth Plastics Corporation
ID Number
1988.0807.03
accession number
1988.0807
catalog number
1988.0807.03

Leaflet on the Triangulator

This pink leaflet gives information about the trigonometric computing instrument stored with it (1986.0441.01).Currently not on view
Description
This pink leaflet gives information about the trigonometric computing instrument stored with it (1986.0441.01).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1954
maker
Roeder, George E.
ID Number
1986.0441.02
accession number
1986.0441
catalog number
1986.0441.02

Pelikan Graphos Pen with Nibs

This 4-5/16" black plastic pen has a metal pocket clip and is marked in script: Pelikan Graphos GERMANY. The end is unscrewed from one side, revealing a metal holder for a pen nib, and screwed to the other side. The tip of the holder is marked: 3.
Description
This 4-5/16" black plastic pen has a metal pocket clip and is marked in script: Pelikan Graphos GERMANY. The end is unscrewed from one side, revealing a metal holder for a pen nib, and screwed to the other side. The tip of the holder is marked: 3. Nineteen different nibs may be attached to the pen. They each are marked: MADE IN GERMANY. They are also marked: Pelikan (/) GRAPHOS (/) GÜNT . . . NER. They are also marked: IMPORTE D'ALLEMAGNE. Each nib is marked with its size; brass inlays indicate the width for seven of the nibs (those for drawing fine lines).
The set is in a wooden bar-lock case covered in black leather and lined with dark blue velvet. The top of the case is marked: Pelikan (/) Graphos. The bottom of the case is marked: MADE IN GERMANY (/) IMPORTE D'ALLEMAGNE.
Carl Hornemann opened a color and ink factory in Hanover, Germany, in 1838. The company began using a pelican as its trademark in 1863 and first offered a fountain pen in 1929. The Graphos was manufactured in the form illustrated by this object between 1934 and 1957. This set was probably made in the early part of this time frame. The nibs were designed for technical drawing and lettering. Rotring took over the Graphos brand in 1978, but Pelikan remains in operation as of 2013.
References: Pelikan, "History," http://www.pelikan.com/pulse/Pulsar/en_US.Pelikan.timelineInitView.136400./history; Annina and Andreas Schenk, "Pelikan Graphos," http://www.kalligraphie.com/909-0-Pelikan-Graphos.html.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934-1957
maker
Pelikan
ID Number
1989.0305.02
accession number
1989.0305
catalog number
1989.0305.02

Calendar Medal Giving Calendar for 1951-1978

This small perpetual calendar was distributed to advertise Whitehead Metal Products, Company, Inc. It has a square plastic base on which a plastic disc rotates. The disc and base are riveted together at the center.
Description
This small perpetual calendar was distributed to advertise Whitehead Metal Products, Company, Inc. It has a square plastic base on which a plastic disc rotates. The disc and base are riveted together at the center. The years 51 to 78 are marked in an outer circular scale on the base, going clockwise. Leap years are in black and a space with a star precedes each leap year. The top of the rotating disc contains a listing of the months, with special sections for January and February of leap years. Five concentric circles on the base are marked with from 1 to 31, suitably arranged with blank spaces. A window in the outer disc reveals five rows of numbers, beneath the column labels S, M, R, W, T, F, S. By lining up a month on the rim of the inner disc with a year on the rim of the outer disc, one obtains a calendar for the month of interest. Or, as a mark reads: SET MONTH UNDER YEAR ABOVE (/) READ DATES BELOW.
Four images of sandglasses decorate the corners of the base. Text on the back reads in part: To foretell Your Future (/) CALL US FOR HELP ON (/) YOUR METAL PROBLEMS (/) WHITEHEAD METAL (/) PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. Telephone numbers in eight American cities are listed.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
1988.0323.04
catalog number
1988.0323.04
accession number
1988.0323

Burroughs Bank Register Machine

This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a block of 12 columns of square tan and white color-coded plastic number keys with a column of function keys to the right. Right of these are two function bars.
Description
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a block of 12 columns of square tan and white color-coded plastic number keys with a column of function keys to the right. Right of these are two function bars. A narrow carriage, with printing mechanism and paper tape, is at the back. There are 14 type bars in the printing mechanism, and a black ribbon. The machine has no case. There is power cord at the back and a loose gray piece.
A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #141. It was model #141 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. A metal tag under the keyboard reads: 3448. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.24
catalog number
1982.0794.24
accession number
1982.0794

National Adding Machine Stand

This open metal stand is painted black and has a metal side shelf on the left. The four metal feet are covered partly with metal cups. Dimensions given are with shelf down.
Description
This open metal stand is painted black and has a metal side shelf on the left. The four metal feet are covered partly with metal cups. Dimensions given are with shelf down. The center of the front is marked: National.
This stand goes with adding machine 1986.0397.01.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1951
maker
Allen Wales Adding Machine Division, the National Cash Register Company
ID Number
1986.0397.02
catalog number
1986.0397.02
accession number
1986.0397

Fuel-Steam Calculator Circular Slide Rule for Norfolk & Western Railway, invented by Fred Q. Saunders

This two-sided white plastic circular slide rule helped railroad procurement officers determine the amount and cost of coal or oil needed to efficiently operate the boiler of a train engine.
Description
This two-sided white plastic circular slide rule helped railroad procurement officers determine the amount and cost of coal or oil needed to efficiently operate the boiler of a train engine. It consists of three concentric discs, with the two smaller discs on the front and back and one large disc in the middle. The metal fastener holding the discs together is tarnished. On the front, the outer edge of the large disc bears an evenly-divided scale for "Fuel Cost per Million Btu's and Steam Cost per 1000 lbs." The smaller disc has scales for coal cost per ton/oil cost per gallon, BTUs per pound, and evaporation for a high viscosity of fuel. A bell-shaped indicator has a scale for the weight of oil in pounds per gallon.
On the back of the instrument, from the outside in, there are scales and windows for reading the feed water temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit), difference in height (in BTUs per pound), steam pressure (in pounds per square inch), boiler efficiency, the heat value of fuel (in BTUs per pound), a boiler at high pressure, the factor of evaporation and equivalent evaporation, saturated steam pressure (in degrees Fahrenheit), and steam pressure (in pounds per square inch). There is a hairline indicator. The instrument fits into a black leather case.
The front of the device is marked: FRED Q. SAUNDERS (/) RICHMOND, VIRGINIA; FUEL-STEAM CALCULATOR; PAT. 2,328,881. The indicator on the front is marked: N & W (/) Ry. (/) CARRIER OF (/) FUEL SATISFACTION. This is the logo for the Norfolk & Western Railway, which transported coal east from the Pocahontas Coal and Coke Company in the Appalachian mountains. N&W was a relatively small railroad with a significant role in American transportation in the 19th and 20th centuries. It expanded into other activities in 1964 by merging with several other railroads; around this time, it also completed the transition from steam-powered to diesel locomotives. In 1998, the company was merged into Norfolk Southern Corporation.
Inside one of the windows on the back of the instrument is marked: 459; WHITEHEAD-HOAG, NEWARK, N.J. Founded in 1892 and in business until 1959, Whitehead and Hoag was a major producer of paper and plastic advertising novelties. Headquartered in Newark, it had branch offices in about thirty cities around the world. For other slide rules made by this company, see 1987.0221.02 and those described by the MIT Museum and Dick Rose's Catalog for Vintage Instruments (October 2000) at their web sites.
Besides his patent on this device, Fred Q. Saunders of Richmond, Va., copyrighted a "Fuel Steam Calculator Manual" on July 2, 1945 (cit. no. 21463). In 1952, he received patent no. 2,763,873 for a portable, collapsible bath tub to be used on hospital beds.
References: Fred Q. Saunders, "Fuel Engineer's Calculator" (U.S. Patent 2,328,881 issued September 7, 1943); Library of Congress Copyright Office, Catalog of Copyright Entries: Part 1, Books, Group 2, Pamphlets, Etc., new ser. 42 (1945): 397; Mason Y. Cooper, "An Introduction to the Norfolk & Western Railway," Norfolk & Western Historical Society, http://www.nwhs.org/about_nw.html; Thomas W. Dixon, Jr., Appalachian Coal Mines & Railroads (Lynchburg, Va.: TLC Publishing, Inc., 1994); Joseph T. Lambie, From Mine to Market: The History of Coal Transportation on the Norfolk and Western Railway (New York: New York University Press, 1954); "Whitehead and Hoag Collection," Nehushtan Antiques, http://www.nehushtanantiques.com/whitehead_and_hoag.html.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943-1959
maker
Whitehead & Hoag Company
ID Number
1984.1080.01
accession number
1984.1080
catalog number
1984.1080.01

National Model 11EN Adding Machine

This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a gray metal frame and ten columns of green and white color-coded plastic keys. Behind the keyboard is a row of ten number dials.
Description
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a gray metal frame and ten columns of green and white color-coded plastic keys. Behind the keyboard is a row of ten number dials. Right of the keyboard are square keys (and an addition bar) marked with a star (for totaling), an S (for subtotals), a subtraction sign, an addition sign, and a “#” (for non-add). The machine prints these symbols, except in the case of addition. Subtracted numbers are in red. There also is a repeat lever. Behind the keyboard and the dials to the left is a lever controlling the printing mechanism. This mechanism and the narrow paper tape, fixed carriage, and motor are at the back. There appear to be 11 keys in the printing mechanism.
The machine is marked on the front: National. It is marked on a metal tag at the base of the front: 11EN327988. It is marked on the back: MANUFACTURED AT (/) ITHACA, NEW YORK, U.S.A. BY THE (/) ALLEN-WALES ADDING MACHINE DIVISION OF (/) THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY (/) DAYTON, OHIO. U.S.A. (/) National. It is marked on a tag at the base of the back: NATIONAL SERIES E.
The stand for this machine is 1986.0397.02. Compare 1982.0794.79.
Reference:
American Office Machines Research Service, section 3.21, 1938, p. 4.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1951
maker
Allen Wales Adding Machine Division, the National Cash Register Company
ID Number
1986.0397.01
catalog number
1986.0397.01
accession number
1986.0397

Fairchild Dip Pen with Esterbrook 794 Nib

This 7-1/8" pen has a steel nib, ornate gold-colored metal grip, and ridged white mother-of-pearl handle. The nib is marked: 794 (/) R. ESTERBROOK (/) MODIFIED SL[ANT]. The grip is marked: FAIRCHILD. A wooden case has rounded corners and brass hook-and-eye latches.
Description
This 7-1/8" pen has a steel nib, ornate gold-colored metal grip, and ridged white mother-of-pearl handle. The nib is marked: 794 (/) R. ESTERBROOK (/) MODIFIED SL[ANT]. The grip is marked: FAIRCHILD. A wooden case has rounded corners and brass hook-and-eye latches. The case is covered with black leather and lined with blue paper.
Richard Esterbrook moved from England to the United States in the 1850s and opened a factory to pens in Camden, N.J., around 1860. The company also made pen nibs, probably beginning around 1920, when it expanded into fountain pens. Venus Pen and Pencil, formerly the American Lead Pencil Co., purchased Esterbrook in 1967. Leroy W. Fairchild began making fountain pen nibs in New York City between 1837 and 1843. After the firm experienced bankruptcy, it reorganized in 1897 and began to sell fountain pens. In the 20th century, the company also offered dip pens.
Frank Terlitzky (1885–1962), who owned this pen, emigrated from Russia in 1906 and settled in Baltimore, where he and his wife worked as caterers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920-1958 (nibs)
ca 1920-1958 (nib)
ca 1920-1958
maker
Leroy W. Fairchild
Esterbrook Pen Company
ID Number
MA.314804
accession number
210144
catalog number
314804

Tchoty, or Russian Abacus

This modern Russian abacus has a black plastic frame and 13 parallel metal wires that hold beads. There are ten beads on each rod, with two blue ones in the middle and four white ones on either side. On the third and sixth row, the leftmost bead is also blue.
Description
This modern Russian abacus has a black plastic frame and 13 parallel metal wires that hold beads. There are ten beads on each rod, with two blue ones in the middle and four white ones on either side. On the third and sixth row, the leftmost bead is also blue. The fourth row from the bottom has only four beads - two blue ones in the center and a white bead on either side.
The cardboard envelope is yellow, red, and tan, with a drawing of the abacus. The envelope is marked in pencil: MOSCOW (/) Sept. 1958 (/) G.U.M. Other marks on it are in Russian.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1958
ID Number
MA.335269
catalog number
335269
accession number
314637

National Class 2000 Bookkeeping Machine

This is a relatively late example of an NCR Class 2000 accounting machine built for department store use. NCR had introduced the Class 2000 as a way to register several totals in 1921.
Description
This is a relatively late example of an NCR Class 2000 accounting machine built for department store use. NCR had introduced the Class 2000 as a way to register several totals in 1921. From the mid-1950s, it was gradually be replaced by electronic accounting machines.
The machine has a ferrous metal case and metal mechanism. The printing mechanism is at the front left and has space to print two forms simultaneously. Paper is in one of these spaces. A set of three rows of numbered keys at the front left determines the line on which a number will print on a form. These keys are numbered from 1 to 21.
The back part of the case is rounded like a cash register. It has a set of six columns of plastic keys on the right, which are designed for entering identification numbers. The leftmost column is lettered from A to K (top to bottom). The five other columns have the digit keys from 0 to 9, going up. At the center left are six columns of keys for entering numbers, with nine keys in each column. Between these sets of keys are a motor bar, a lever that can be set according to the operation to be performed, and three partial columns of function keys. Left of the digit keys are two columns showing the results accumulated in several different registers. The machine has a keyhole with key.The electric cord is at the back.
A mark at the center front reads: National. A tag at the front left reads: 6101190 (/) A2146 (64UP). A mark on the center front at the base reads: The National Cash Register Co. (/) DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A.
This machine was used at the Lansburgh department store in downtown Washington, D.C.
Compare MA.333942.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959
maker
National Cash Register Company
ID Number
MA.334911
catalog number
334911
maker number
6101190
accession number
314157

SCM Marchant Model SKA

This full-keyboard non-printing electric calculating machine has a metal frame painted blue and charcoal, and ten columns of color-coded blue-gray and white plastic keys.
Description
This full-keyboard non-printing electric calculating machine has a metal frame painted blue and charcoal, and ten columns of color-coded blue-gray and white plastic keys. The rightmost three columns of keys are light blue; the next three, white; the next three, light blue; and the left column, white. Below the number keys is a row of blue keys with the numbers from 0 to 9. In front of them is a register with 10 keys. To the left are blue function keys and bars. Above the number keys is a row of ten windows that show the number entered.
Behind the entry register is a movable carriage with a 20-digit result register and an 11-digit revolution register. The entry register has sliding decimal markers; the registers on the carriage, flipping decimal markers. A socket for a cord is at the back, but no cord is present.
Marks on the sides and back of the machine read: MARCHANT. A mark on the bottom at the front reads: SKA 563169.
For related documents see 313984.02 through 313984.04.
Richard H. Hronik (1911–2003), the donor of this machine, held a number of patents in transportation engineering and did design work relating to railroad systems built for the Indian government. He went on to work for the firm of Melpar as a materials science engineer. He made donations to several Smithsonian units, including Electricity and Civil Engineering.
References:
Electricity Collections, National Museum of American History.
Fédération Nationale des Chambres Syndicales de la Mécanographie, Fédération de Reprise officielle des Machines à Ecrire, Machines à Calculer . . ., Lyon, 1970, p. 71.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
maker
SCM
ID Number
MA.334384
catalog number
334384
accession number
313984
maker number
SKA 563169

Teaching Machine Component, Physico-Trig II Disc

This museum number covers a paper disc used with a Skinner teaching machine, as well as an accompanying sheet of paper and a paper sleeve. A mark on the disc reads: T-2 (/) (sine-1) (/) panel used; A mark on the sheet reads: PANEL FOR T-2, T-6.
Description
This museum number covers a paper disc used with a Skinner teaching machine, as well as an accompanying sheet of paper and a paper sleeve. A mark on the disc reads: T-2 (/) (sine-1) (/) panel used; A mark on the sheet reads: PANEL FOR T-2, T-6. A sceond mark on the sheet reads: Homme (/) II (/) Physico-Trig.
For details, see the discussion of teaching machine MA.335539.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
maker
Skinner, B. F.
ID Number
MA.318945.04
accession number
318945
catalog number
318945.04

Marchant Model 10EFA Calculating Machine, Figuremaster

This full-keyboard non-printing electric proportional gear calculating machine has a blue metal frame with a black carriage. It has ten columns of green and white all-plastic number keys. At the base of each column is a gray tabulator set key.
Description
This full-keyboard non-printing electric proportional gear calculating machine has a blue metal frame with a black carriage. It has ten columns of green and white all-plastic number keys. At the base of each column is a gray tabulator set key. These keys are numbered from 1 on the right to 10 on the left.
Right of the number keys are a small switch; line up, division, and stop keys; subtraction and addition bars; a non-shift key, a repeat key, and a negative multiplication bar; and two carriage shift keys. In front of these are clearance keys for the tab set, the keyboard, and the dials. Right of these is a column of ten keys for automatic multiplication. Odd digit keys are concave. Above the number keys is a row of ten windows to show a number set up.
Behind this register is a movable carriage with an 20-window result register and an ten-window revolution register. The registers on the carriage have reversible decimal markers. The motor is at the back of the machine, inside the case. The machine has four rubber feet.
Marks on the sides and back of the machine read: MARCHANT. A metal tag attached to the bottom reads: 10EFA-351117 A piece of tape atop the machine reads: 2-130. Remnants of a black plastic label attached to the bottom of the machine read: Figuremaster.
According to the donor, a collector of calculating machines, this example was manufactured in 1951 and originally sold for $787.00.
Reference:
Accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1951
maker
Marchant Calculating Machine Company, Inc.
ID Number
MA.335420
catalog number
335420
accession number
319049
maker number
10EFA-351117

Sheets Used by B.F. Skinner in Conjunction with Teaching Natural Sciences 114

This set of paper sheets was used in conjunction with the discs of MA.318945.06 and teaching machine MA.335539 to teach a psychology course, Natural Sciences 114, at Harvard University. A sleeve that hold the paper sheets reads: PANELS FOR SET OF (/) DISKS FOR NAT. SCI.
Description
This set of paper sheets was used in conjunction with the discs of MA.318945.06 and teaching machine MA.335539 to teach a psychology course, Natural Sciences 114, at Harvard University. A sleeve that hold the paper sheets reads: PANELS FOR SET OF (/) DISKS FOR NAT. SCI. 114 (/) (NOT COMPLETE).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
maker
Skinner, B. F.
ID Number
MA.318945.07
accession number
318945
catalog number
318945.07

Pamphlet, Instructions for Use of the CURTA

This small illustrated pamphlet gives instructions for operating the handheld CURTA calculating machine. Included is an image of the Contina factory in Mauren.Received with calculating machine MA.333848.Currently not on view
Description
This small illustrated pamphlet gives instructions for operating the handheld CURTA calculating machine. Included is an image of the Contina factory in Mauren.
Received with calculating machine MA.333848.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
maker
Contina AG Mauren
ID Number
MA.303780.02
accession number
303780
catalog number
303780.02

Box of American Lead Pencil Co. Venus Pencils and Eraser

This set of four short (less than 3-1/2") wood and graphite pencils is in a rectangular white cardboard box. The pencils are marked: VENUS AMERICAN (/) PENCIL CO. N.Y. They are also marked with the hardness of their leads: HB, B, F, 4H.
Description
This set of four short (less than 3-1/2") wood and graphite pencils is in a rectangular white cardboard box. The pencils are marked: VENUS AMERICAN (/) PENCIL CO. N.Y. They are also marked with the hardness of their leads: HB, B, F, 4H. These correspond to a chart of lead hardnesses that is on the top of the box. The chart is marked: "VENUS" PERFECT PENCILS: (/) Made in 17 Black and 2 Copying Degrees: (/) each degree guaranteed never to vary. (/) London. AMERICAN PENCIL CO., New York. Empty space in the box suggests it originally held five pencils.
The box also holds a 1" white rubber eraser marked: VENUS (/) AMERICAN PENCIL CO. (/) NEW YORK (/) No100. Next to the eraser is a 2-1/2" square wooden dowel covered in white paper marked: ←—— This Is The New VENUS ERASER Try It. The inside of the box lid has an advertisement for the eraser, which came in twelve sizes, ranging from four pieces in one box to 100 pieces in one box. The presence of the eraser suggests that this set was made after MA.330191.
The American Lead Pencil Company began operating in New York City around 1861 and started to manufacture the Venus line of drawing pencils in 1905. By 1939 the firm was advertising itself as the American Pencil Co. Various retailers in the United States, including Keuffel & Esser and the Eugene Dietzgen Co., offered the Venus line from the 1930s to the 1960s. In 1956 American Pencil Co. changed its name to Venus Pen and Pencil to reflect its popular brand. Faber-Castell USA purchased the firm in 1973.
The owner of these pencils, Mendel Lazear Peterson (1918–2003), earned degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and Vanderbilt University. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific theater, where he developed an interest in underwater archaeology. He remained in the service after World War II. From 1958 to 1973, he was a Smithsonian curator in historic archaeology and armed forces history. He likely acquired the pencils during his military career.
References: D. B. Smith, "Venus Drawing Pencil," http://leadholder.com/wood-venus.html; Bart Barnes, "Smithsonian's Mendel Peterson Dies," Washington Post, August 28, 2003.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939-1956
maker
American Lead Pencil Company
ID Number
MA.330192
accession number
288888
catalog number
330192

Teaching Machine Component, Physico-Trig I Disc

This museum number covers a paper disc used with a Skinner teaching machine , as well as an accompanying sheet of paper and a paper sleeve. A mark on the disc reads: Physics (/) T-1. A Markson the sheet reads: PANEL FOR T-1. Another mark on the sheet reads: Eval.
Description
This museum number covers a paper disc used with a Skinner teaching machine , as well as an accompanying sheet of paper and a paper sleeve. A mark on the disc reads: Physics (/) T-1. A Markson the sheet reads: PANEL FOR T-1. Another mark on the sheet reads: Eval. # 309 (/) Homme I (/) H1250-10P (/) Physico - Trig.
For details, see the discussion of teaching machine MA.335539.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
maker
Skinner, B. F.
ID Number
MA.318945.03
accession number
318945
catalog number
318945.03

Soroban, or Japanese Abacus

This abacus has an open wooden frame painted black and a wooden cross piece with an inset white strip on top. Twenty-three parallel wooden rods hold the beads. On each rod, there is one bead above the cross piece and four below.
Description
This abacus has an open wooden frame painted black and a wooden cross piece with an inset white strip on top. Twenty-three parallel wooden rods hold the beads. On each rod, there is one bead above the cross piece and four below. The beads are similar in shape to those on other Japanese abaci. Every third column of beads is marked with a black dot on the cross piece. The central column has two black dots and a red dot as well. Every fifth column is marked with a white dot. The abacus is stored in a cardboard box covered with decorated paper. There is no mark of a maker.
The instrument was given to the Smithsonian by G. Norman Albree, along with several circular slide rules of his design. According to the donor, his first introduction to the soroban was in 1958. He found addition and subtraction straightforward and bought this larger instrument to try multiplication and division. However, the beads were too small for his seventy-year-old fingers and thumb. Albree put the instrument aside, and returned to using logarithmic tables for multiplication and division.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959
ID Number
MA.335485
catalog number
335485
accession number
321674

National Class 32 Bookkeeping Machine on Stand

During the years immediately following World War II, demand for National Cash Register products boomed. In late 1949, the company introduced a new line of accounting machines, successors to the class 2000 and class 3000. It included the Class 31 and Class 32.
Description
During the years immediately following World War II, demand for National Cash Register products boomed. In late 1949, the company introduced a new line of accounting machines, successors to the class 2000 and class 3000. It included the Class 31 and Class 32. This is an NCR Class 32 machine from 1959.
The machine combines an electric typewriter at the front with an adding machine in the center. The adding machine has eleven columns of digit keys and three columns of keys for indicating dates to the left of these. It has a variety of function keys and bars. A mark above the typewriter keyboard reads: National. A metal label reads:
6073226 (/) SP-WD-26 (/) 32-W-10-11 (/) 38X - DP. The first number of this mark is the serial number. Other portions of this mark refer to features of the machine — a split paten, a wheel dater, and a protective dollar printing feature.
Behind the adding machine is a wide carriage that would accommodate one or more forms.
The machine is on a metal stand with rubber feet.
Accounting machines were used to prepare monthly statements, type checks, record payroll and do general ledger work. This example was used at the Lansburgh department store in downtown Washington, D.C.
Reference:
NCR, Reference Manual Class 31A Class 32A, August, 1965, Montgomery County Historical Society, Dayton, Ohio.
Accession File.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959
maker
National Cash Register Company
ID Number
MA.334904
catalog number
334904
maker number
6073226
accession number
314157

Skinner Teaching Machine

From the 1920s, psychologists have explored ways to automate teaching. In the 1950s, the psychologist B. F. Skinner of Harvard University suggested that techniques he had developed for training rats and pigeons might be adopted for teaching humans.
Description
From the 1920s, psychologists have explored ways to automate teaching. In the 1950s, the psychologist B. F. Skinner of Harvard University suggested that techniques he had developed for training rats and pigeons might be adopted for teaching humans. He used this apparatus teaching a Harvard course in natural sciences.
The machine is a rectangular wooden box with a hinged metal lid with windows. Various paper discs fit inside, with questions and answers written along radii of the discs. One question at a time appears in the window nearer the center. The student writes an answer on a paper tape to the right and advances the mechanism. This reveals the correct answer but covers his answer so that it may not be changed.
Skinner's "programmed learning" was refined and adopted in many classrooms in the 1960s. It underlies techniques still used in instruction for the office, the home and the school.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1957
maker
Skinner, B. F.
ID Number
MA.335539
accession number
318945
catalog number
335539

Box of Puzzles, Wire Puzzles

This cardboard box containing seven puzzles also includes a sheet, a leaflet, and a plastic bag which show solutions to the puzzles.
Description
This cardboard box containing seven puzzles also includes a sheet, a leaflet, and a plastic bag which show solutions to the puzzles. The puzzles included, as named in the leaflet, are the pretzel puzzle, the triangle puzzle, the question puzzle, the nail puzzle, the heart puzzle, the spider web puzzle, and the T puzzle.
A mark on the box reads: WIRE (/) PUZZLES (/) Twisted (/) [T]angled (/) Put Together (/) Take Apart (/) Wire (/) Problems. A mark on the bottom left of the lid reads: A (/) Sherm’s (/) Creation (/) REGISTERED U.S.A. A mark on the inside of the leaflet reads: LEARN TO ENTERTAIN (/) WITH (/) Master Magic. Further text there reads: Dept. A. “SHERMS” BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
Sherms, Inc., in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was a firm established by Russian-born magician Robert Sherman (1892-1969) by the 1920s and operated into the 1960s. This particular puzzle is not included in the firm’s 1926 catalog.
References:
Betty Tyler, “Robert Sherman Keeps on the Go Conjuring Magic and Manufacturing Tricks.” Bridgeport Post, February 15, 1959, p. 36.
Learn to Entertain with “Sherms Master Magic Tricks and Puzzles, Bridgeport, Ct.: Sherms, 1926.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930-1950
maker
Sherms Inc.
ID Number
MA.335288
catalog number
335288
accession number
314637

Teaching Machine Component, Poetry Disc

This museum number covers a paper disc used with a Skinner teaching machine , as well as an accompanying sheet of paper. A mark on the disc reads: P-10 (/) (poetry) (/])panel used.
Description
This museum number covers a paper disc used with a Skinner teaching machine , as well as an accompanying sheet of paper. A mark on the disc reads: P-10 (/) (poetry) (/])panel used. A mark on the sheet reads: Panel to be used With Program P-10.
For details, see the discussion of teaching machine MA.335539.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1957
maker
Skinner, B. F.
ID Number
MA.318945.02
accession number
318945
catalog number
318945.02

Friden Model STW 10 Calculating Machine

This stepped drum full-keyboard electric non-printing calculating machine has a metal frame painted brownish gray (taupe) and ten columns of brown and gray plastic number keys, with a blank gray plastic zeroing key at the bottom of each column.
Description
This stepped drum full-keyboard electric non-printing calculating machine has a metal frame painted brownish gray (taupe) and ten columns of brown and gray plastic number keys, with a blank gray plastic zeroing key at the bottom of each column. Metal rods between columns of keys turn under the keyboard to indicate decimal places. A small brown and tan bar slides to the right to reset the decimal rods. The capabilities of the Friden STW-10 are quite similar to those of the earlier ST-10, although the exterior design and color are different. The model was introduced in 1949 and manufactured through 1966.
On the right are two columns of function bars. On the left is a ten-digit register that indicates numbers entered for multiplication. Below it is a block of nine white digit keys, with a 0 bar below. These are surrounded by three levers and four function keys.
Behind the number keys is a movable carriage with an 11-digit revolution register and a 20-digit result register. Taupe plastic buttons above the result register rotate to set up numbers. Ten numbered buttons under the revolution register are spaced between the digits. A zeroing knobs for the registers is on the top right of the carriage. All three registers have sliding decimal markers.
The machine has four hard rubber feet. There is a rubber cord and a tan plastic cover. A mark on the bottom of the machine reads: S82 (/) STW 10. The original serial number next to the model number has been effaced. Marks on the back and side read: FRIDEN. A mark on the cover reads: Friden (/) AUTOMATIC CALCULATOR. A mark on a sticker on the bottom of the machine reads: FRIDEN, INC. (/) SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. A mark on the cord reads: SINGER.
Compare MA.334379, MA.335419 and 1984.3079.04.
Reference:
Carl Holm, “Milestones in the Development of Friden.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1954
maker
Friden, Inc.
ID Number
MA.334379
accession number
313935
catalog number
334379
maker number
S-82

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