TASCO Adder

Description:

This stylus-operated notched band adder has eight columns. A sliding plate atop the machine allows one to adjust the columns for subtraction. A blue-black plastic case holds a metal stylus. Accompanying the instrument are “Instructions for Operating the Pocket Arithmometer.”

The TASCO pocket arithmometer closely resembles an adder sold by the Gray Arithmometer Company of Ithaca, New York, in the early 20th century. It was distributed by the Morse Chain Company of Ithaca in the 1920s. In 1929, the Morse Chain Company became part of Borg-Warner Corporation. Distribution of the adder soon shifted to the Tavella Sales Company of New York City.

Compare to 1986.0663.01.

References: P. Kidwell, “Adders Made and Used in the United States,” Rittenhouse, 8, (1994), pp. 78-96.

Advertisements in Popular Mechanics 83 (March 1945), p. 178, (April 1945): 180, and (May, 1945), p. 178.

Popular Science 153 (January 1948), p. 34.

Utility Supply Company, Office Supply Catalog (Chicago, 1946), p. 285.

New York Times, October 30, 1949, p. S12.

Date Made: 1945

Distributor: Tavella Sales CompanyMaker: Borg-Warner Corporation

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York, IthacaPlace Distributed: United States: New York, New York City

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Adder, Science & Mathematics

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Mr. S.H. Oliver

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MA.313629Catalog Number: 313629Accession Number: 189330

Object Name: adder

Physical Description: plastic (overall material)steel (overall material)Measurements: overall: .5 cm x 7.6 cm x 13.7 cm; 3/16 in x 3 in x 5 13/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-12ce-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_690243

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