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 8 items.
Marchant Model KC Calculating Machine
- Description
- This full-keyboard, non-printing manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal frame painted black and nine columns of plastic keys, with three columns black, three columns white, and three more columns black. At the base of each bank of keys is a red clearance key. The underlying keyboard is painted green. Metal rods between banks of keys serve as decimal markers.
- Right of the number keys is a red keyboard clearance key, a multiply/divide key, and an addition/subtraction key. The operating crank on the right rotates backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division.
- Behind the keyboard is a movable carriage with the 18 windows of the result register. A lever at the front of the machine shifts the carriage, a button on the right side releases it, and a crank on the left end of the carriage clears it. Behind and above the carriage are nine windows showing digits entered, a lever that can be set for multiplication or division, and nine windows for the revolution register. Rotating a small crank on the right side clears this register.
- Decimal markers slide on metal rods above all three registers. A metal flange below the result register helps the user place the carriage correctly. The machine has four rubber feet. At the back, two wooden cylinders have been attached to the base at the corners, so that the machine sits at an angle.
- Plates attached to the right and left side read: MARCHANT. A metal plate right of the keyboard reads; MARCHANT (/) CALCULATORS (/) SIMPLICITY (/) ACCURACY (/) SPEED. A maker’s mark under the carriage on the right reads: 2097. A stamp on the bottom of the machine reads: KC 2097.
- The Model KC, introduced in 1923 with initial serial number 1000, was one of Marchant Calculating Machine Company’s first three keyboard machines. It sold in 1924 for $350.00. By 1928 it was replaced by the model H-9.
- Calvin Lieberman, the donor of this object, was associated with the steel recyling business in Toledo, Ohio, from at least 1937 through 1980.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, American Digest of Business Machines, 1924, pp. 75–76, 549.
- Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, vol. I, p. 9–23.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1925
- maker
- Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
- ID Number
- 1980.0805.01
- catalog number
- 1980.0805.01
- accession number
- 1980.0805
- maker number
- KC 2097
- 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
Monroe Model G Calculating Machine
- Description
- This manually operated, non-printing modified step drum calculating machine has a steel case with plastic keys and wooden handles on the cranks. In the eight columns of keys, the key stems increase in length from front to back. On the right side is a red key for clearing the entire keyboard. Between the rows of keys are metal strips, painted black on one side and white on the other. They turn to serve as decimal markers. Two silver-colored knobs have arrows on them. The one on the right is used for automatic keyboard release in continuous addition. The one on the left is the register key for the item counter.
- In back of the keyboard is a carriage with 16 total register dials and eight revolution register dials behind the total dials. The dials of the revolution register are numbered around the edge from 9 to 0 white and from 1 to 9 in red. A metal operating handle with a wooden knob is on the right side. Another handle on the right side of the carriage zeros the total register or the revolution register, depending on the direction in which it is turned. A knob on the right side of the carriage is used to lift it. A crank at the front of the machine is rotated to move the carriage. The machine has four rubber feet.
- A mark on the front of the machine reads: MONROE (/) REGISTERED TRADE MARK (/) HIGH SPEED-ADDING-CALCULATOR. A mark on the back of the machine reads: MONROE (/) REGISTERED TRADE MARK (/) CALCULATING MACHINE COMPANY (/) New York, U.S.A. Another mark on the back reads: G22939.
- According to McCarthy, Monroe introduced the Model G calculating machine in 1919, using serial numbers above 20,000. Records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office indicate that the trademark Monroe was registered in 1920. In 1921 Monroe replaced the Model G and other earlier models with its Model K, hence the date assigned.
- The donor of the machine reported that he purchased it used at a flea market or tag sale.
- References:
- E. Martin, The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen), trans. P.A. Kidwell and M.R. Williams, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992, p. 265.
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 80–81, 551.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Registration 129029, Serial #71117235.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1920
- maker
- Monroe Calculating Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1988.3061.01
- catalog number
- 1988.3061.01
- maker number
- G22939
- nonaccession number
- 1988.3061
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Brunsviga Trinks-Triplex Calculating Machine
- Description
- Franz Trinks led development of the Brunsviga calculating machine from the 1890s, steadily patenting improvements in Odhner’s original design. The Trinks Triplex was one of these.
- The pinwheel lever-set non-printing machine has a black metal housing, a steel mechanism, and 20 levers that are used to set numbers. A steel crank with a wooden handle that extends from the right side of the machine is rotated backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division.
- At the front of the machine is a movable carriage with 20 windows that show dials of the result register on the right and 12 windows for the revolution register on the left. This revolution register has no carry. The digits on the revolution register dials are white for additions and red for subtractions. At the back of the machine is a second revolution register with 12 windows. There is a carry in this register.
- The revolution register and the result register have sliding decimal markers. Pushing back a button at the front of the machine releases the carriage for shifting. Rotating wing nuts at the ends of the carriage zeros the registers on it. Rotating appropriate wing nuts on the left side of the machine zeros the pinwheels and the second revolution register. A bell on the left end of the carriage rings when the result passes through zero.
- The case consists of a wooden base with a handle in the side, and a curved metal cover painted black.
- As the name suggests, the Trinks Triplex was three machines in one. It could be used simply to generate results of up to 20 digits. The mechanism also includes a split device for the result register, which allows one to solve two problems simultaneously. Finally, one can figure the sub-result of a problem in one section and accumulate the total result in the second, showing all factors on the machine at the conclusion.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 70.
- E. M. Horsburgh, ed., Handbook of the Napier Tercentenary Celebration of Modern Instruments and Methods of Calculation, Edinburgh: G. Bell & Sons, 1914, pp. 84–91.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1921
- maker
- Grimme, Natalis & Co.
- ID Number
- MA*324277
- accession number
- 256654
- catalog number
- 324277
- maker number
- 45666
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Marchant Model XL Calculating Machine
- Description
- This lever-set, non-printing, manually operated pinwheel calculating machine has a metal housing painted black. Near the center of the machine are nine rotating levers for entering numbers. An entry register is above the levers, and a zeroing bar in front of them. The nine-window revolution register is right of the levers. The operating crank is on the right side, along with a zeroing knob for the revolution register. Between the entry levers and the revolution register is a knob which can be set on multiplication or division.
- In front of the levers is a carriage with the 18 wheels of the result register, as well as a handle for zeroing this register. The carriage shift lever is at the front of the machine. All three registers have sliding decimal markers.
- A metal plate to the left of the levers reads: MARCHANT (/) CALCULATORS (/) SIMPLICITY (/) ACCURACY (/) SPEED. A mark on the back reads: MARCHANT. Another mark there reads: MANUFACTURED BY (/) MARCHANT CALCULATING MACHINE CO. (/) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA U.S.A. (/) PATENTED IN UNITED STATES & FOREIGN COUNTRIES (/) UNITED STATES 1,476,197 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. The serial number, stamped on the base, is XL92485.
- The Marchant Manufacturing Company of Oakland, California began manufacturing calculating machines in 1911. As the marks on this machine indicate, by the 1920s it was selling machines across the globe. According to the accession file, this machine was acquired by the Smithsonian in 1928 for $208.25. It was used from that time until 1964 by William Johnson for calculations relating to Smithsonian finances, and transferred to the collections when Mr. Johnson retired.
- References:
- Accession file.
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 549.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1928
- maker
- Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
- ID Number
- MA*325764
- catalog number
- 325764
- accession number
- 257691
- maker number
- XL92485
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Marchant Model B Pony Calculating Machine
- Description
- This manually operated, lever-set and non-printing pinwheel calculating machine has a black steel housing and a wooden base. Nine levers rotate forward to set digits on the pinwheels, with color-coded digits marked on the spaces between the levers. A row of nine dials in back of the levers records the number entered. A bar in front of the levers can be raised to zero them, and a wing nut on the left side rotates to zero the entry register. The steel operating crank with its wood handle extends from the right side of the machine and rotates backward (clockwise) for addition and multiplication and forward (counterclockwise) for subtraction and division.
- A movable carriage at the front has 18 windows that show dials of the result register on the right and ten windows for the revolution register on the left. The digits in the revolution register are white for additions and red for subtractions. Decimal markers slide above all three registers. A metal box at the front of the machine holds two bars, one for moving the carriage in either direction. Wing nuts at the ends of the carriage zero the registers on it. A bell is on the left side of the machine.
- A metal tag to the left of the levers reads: The (/) Marchant (/) MANUFACTURED BY (/) MARCHANT CALCULATING (/) MACHINE CO., Inc. (/) OAKLAND, CAL. (/) PATENTED JUNE 6. 1911 (/) FEB. 22. 1916. A metal tag attached to the back reads: 81399. A mark on the back of the carriage to the left reads: A1216. A metal tag attached to the base reads: DONATED BY (/) BENHAM ENGINEERING COMPANY (/) CONSULTING ENGINEERS (/) OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA (/) USED BY FOUNDER (/) COL. WEBSTER L. BENHAM (/) PAST NATIONAL DIRECTOR, ASCE
- A layer of felt separates the machine and its wooden base. The base is not rectangular, but curved to follow the profile of the machine It has 3 rubber feet and fits inside a leather-covered, velvet-lined box.
- This calculating machine was used by consulting engineer Webster Lance Benham (1882–1952), a veteran of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in his work at Benham Engineering Company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He founded that firm in 1909. The date of the machine is deduced from the serial number.
- Compare to the Marchant Model A Pony (MA*311952), which only will calculate 13-digit products.
- References:
- J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 549.
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1922
- maker
- Marchant Calculating Machine Company, Inc.
- ID Number
- MA*328417
- catalog number
- 328417
- accession number
- 272525
- maker number
- 81399/A1216
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center