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 234 items.
Page 1 of 24
Underwood Sundstrand 11140P Adding Machine
- Description
- American religious organizations have long used computing devices. The First Baptist Church of Suitland, Maryland owned this machine.
- The ten-key printing electric adding machine has a block of nine white plastic keys with the 0 bar below. On the left are CORR, B’K (/) SPAC and X (/) REP’T keys. On the right are SUB- (/) TOTAL, ADD, and NO + (/) TOTAL keys. Above the keyboard is a place indicator. Above and behind this is the printing mechanism. One may enter numbers of up to ten digits, and print results of up to 11 digits.
- A metal plate painted gray and held down with screws covers the spools of the two-color ribbon. The machine has a paper tape 2-1/2” (6.3 cm) wide. A lever on the right releases tension on the platen. A lever on the left sets the spacing. The motor is inside the case, at the back.
- The machine is marked: Underwood (/) Sundstrand ... (/) Underwood Corporation (/) Protected by United States (/) and Foreign Patents (/) Made in U.S.A. It is also marked: 416151 (/) 11140P (/) UNIVERSAL MOTOR (/) VOLTS 115 AMPS. 1.5. The “11” in the first two digits of the model number corresponds to the number of possible digits in the total. The “P” refers to electric machines.
- References:
- American Business Machines Research, III, 1937.
- Documentation 1990.3188.7.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1944
- maker
- Underwood Corporation
- ID Number
- 1978.0279.01
- maker number
- 416151
- accession number
- 1978.0279
- catalog number
- 336517
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Dalton Model 181-4 Adding Machine
- Description
- This gray-green manually operated ten-key printing adding machine has two rows of white plastic number keys, including complementary numbers for subtraction. There are multiply and non-add keys on the left, and backspace and subtract keys on the right.
- The multiply key acts like a repeat key - multiplication is strictly by repeated addition. The place indicator is above the keyboard, with a metal correction key to the left of it. Above and to the right are release, total, and subtotal keys. The printing mechanism and “4”” carriage are toward the back. The ribbon is black. The non-print key is next to the ribbon.
- There is a place for a 2-1/2” paper tape, but no paper tape. Above the platen is a serrated edge to tear the paper. A zero value appears before a total. The metal crank with wooden handle is on the right. There are metal feet, but no evidence of any rubber padding.
- The machine is marked on the front: Dalton (/) ADDING, (/) LISTING AND (/) CALCULATING MACHINE. The serial number below the crank is: NO170913.
- This example came to the Smithsonian from Immaculata School in Washington, D. C.
- Compare to MA*333874 and MA*333402.
- This closely resembles the Model 181-4 machine described in The Business Machines and Equipment Digest, about. 1928, Sec 3-1, p. 14, 19. This was the “Special $100 Machine.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1925
- maker
- Dalton Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1978.2479.04
- maker number
- 170913
- accession number
- 1978.2479
- catalog number
- 336932
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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
Burroughs Model 9 Adding Machine
- Description
- This full-keyboard manually operated printing adding machine has seven columns of color-coded number keys, with nine keys in each column. To the left of these are three rows of black keys with a key for each month and additional red number keys for days. To the right of the central number keys is a column of five keys for subtotal, total, non-add, repeat, and error. There is a lever below these marked “-” at the top and “+” at the bottom. The crank on the right has a wooden handle.
- At the top is a wide adjustable carriage with a ribbon and printing mechanism in front of it. The rightmost type bar is for symbols. The next seven type bars are for totals, subtotals, etc. The three leftmost type bars are for days of the week and months. The machine has a serrated edge above the platen for tearing the end of the paper tape, an adjustable paper guide behind the platen, and a dowel mounted at the back to hold a roll of paper. The ribbon and its spools are covered, with screws holding the spool containers in place. The serial number, stamped on the keyboard below the keys, is: 9A67626.
- The machine was used at the Freda Fish Corporation, a family-owned wholesale and retail fish business in New York City. The motto of the business was “We handle anything that swims, clings, or crawls.”
- References:
- Office Machines Research, Inc., section 3.21.
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1934
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0058.01
- accession number
- 1981.0058
- catalog number
- 1981.0058.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Model 9 Adding Machine
- Description
- This full-keyboard manually operated printing adding machine has a metal frame painted black, a metal mechanism and handle, a green felt keyboard, and a glass front. There are six columns of number keys, with nine keys in each column. Some plastic key covers are missing. There are non-add, subtotal, and total keys. The sum appears on number wheels visible through the glass front of the machine and prints on a 2-1/2 inch paper tape at the back which is not visible. The machine is marked on the front: BURROUGHS (/) DETROIT, MICHIGAN. It is also marked there: No.6-157907.
- Alfred Harrell, the donor of the machine, was a Smithsonian photographer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1912
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0368.01
- accession number
- 1981.0368
- catalog number
- 1981.0368.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Quick-Adder
- Description
- Some simple adding machines were designed for consumers seeking to track their purchases. This small red plastic device has three white keys on top for entering dollars, dimes, and cents. The dollar wheel is numbered from 0 to 19. Pushing a key advances a wheel below one digit. Results appear in three windows on the front of the instrument. There is a carry. The instrument is held together by metal rivets. The mechanism is encased.
- The machine is marked: QUICK-ADDER. It is also marked: NO.6319 MADE IN HONG KONG. It is also marked: DESIGN REGD.
- In 1950, Theodore C. Romanchek (1897-1985) of Los Angeles took out a United States copyright for the term “quick adder.” From this date, and the general style of the object, it seems likely that it dates from the 1950s. It came to the Museum from the collection of John White.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950s
- ID Number
- 1981.0922.17
- accession number
- 1981.0922
- catalog number
- 1981.0922.17
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Golden Gem Adding Machine
- Description
- This small, stylus-operated non-printing adding machine has a black steel frame and seven metal chains. A stylus is placed in the link next to a digit and pulled down to the bottom of the column to enter the digit. Sums appear in seven windows above the chains. There is a clearance knob on the right side and a bent metal piece that can be used to prop up the instrument. The green leather case is stored with the instrument. The stylus is missing.
- The instrument is marked on a tag on the right edge of the top: GOLDEN GEM (/) ADDING MACHINE. It is marked on a tag on the left edge of the top: AUTOMATIC ADDING MACHINE MFRS. (/) NEW YORK, U.S.A.. It is marked on the bottom edge of the top: PAT. MAR.1-04-MAR.27-06-MAR.19-07 (/) UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING. The serial number, stamped on the right side, is 400805.
- Compare to MA*323621.
- This example of the Golden Gem formerly belonged to John L. Newbold, father-in-law of the donor, who had owned Merchants Moving and Transfer Company.
- References:
- Ads in Scientific American, vol. 110, Jan. 17, 1914 (according to this ad, the machine cost $10 and over 80,000 in use); vol. 112, April, 1915, p. 370 (according to this ad, the machine still cost $10 and over 100,000 were in use).
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1910
- maker
- Automatic Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1981.0935.01
- accession number
- 1981.0935
- catalog number
- 1981.0935.01
- maker number
- 400805
- 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
Remington Rand Adding Machine
- Description
- This black ten-key printing adding machine is manually operated by depressing keys and moving forward a crank on the right. In addition to a block of white number keys, the machine has a MULTIPLY key on the right and R, SUB(/)TOTAL and TOTAL keys on the left. A key at the front marked “C” moves the decimal place of the digit entered. The machine accepts entries of up to seven digits and prints seven-digit totals. There is a set of seven windows above the keys that indicate the place of the digit being entered. There is a printing mechanism at the back, but no paper tape.
- The machine is marked on the left side: ADDING* BOOKKEEPING*CALCULATING MACHINES (/) MADE IN U.S.A. It has serial number: 71-654292.
- Compare objects MA*335204 and 1985.3010.01. There is a plastic cover which is marked as part of the object, although it reads “General."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1949
- maker
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1982.0474.01
- maker number
- 71-654292
- accession number
- 1982.0474
- catalog number
- 1982.0474.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Victor Adding Machine
- Description
- This full-keyboard, printing adding machine has a steel frame painted black and green There are eight columns of color-coded black and white metal keys with digits written on paper and covered with clear plastic (the keys resemble those on early typewriters). Complementary digits are indicated on the keys. The total appears in eight glass-covered metal windows over number dials at the front of the machine. There are total and non-add keys left of the number keys and a repeat key on the right. The total key also clears the machine. A metal crank with a wooden handle on the right of the machine operates it. Behind the keyboard is a two-colored ribbon, printing mechanism, and fixed narrow carriage. There are nine type bars, eight for digits and one for special characters. There is a serrated edge for tearing off the paper tape.
- The machine is marked on the front and behind the keyboard: VICTOR. It is marked on the back: PATENTED (/) JUNE 20,1919 - APRIL 13th,1920 (/) MFD. BY (/) VICTOR ADDING MACHINE CO. (/) CHICAGO, U.S.A. (/) OTHER PATENTS PENDING. The serial number, on a metal tag attached to the bottom of the machine, is 24843.
- This adding machine was purchased in 1922 and used until 1982 by Samuel Bernstein in his capacity as Secretary-Treasurer of Wilner Branch 367 of Workmen’s Circle. Workmen’s Circle was a fraternal organization organized about 1900 to promote self-help among Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Mr. Bernstein was 95 years old when he relinquished his position.
- This model sold for $100 in 1924.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, American Digest of Business Machines, 1924, p. 59, 543.
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1923
- maker
- Victor Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0475.01
- catalog number
- 1982.0475.01
- accession number
- 1982.0475
- maker number
- 24843
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center