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 69 items.
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Burroughs Sample Calculator, 1/12 Fraction
- Description
- In 1911, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company introduced a key-driven adding machine much like the Comptometer made by Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company. The Burroughs calculator, as the new machine was called, performed ordinary decimal arithmetic. Burroughs inventors soon designed special versions of the calculator to solve other problems. This is the model or sample for one of them.
- This machine adds numbers up to four digits long and twelfths. It has four columns of nine keys, one column on the left with one key for zeroing the number wheel below, and one column on the right with two keys. There is no casing and one key top is missing. The frame is steel with black, white, and red plastic key tops. There are five plastic and metal numeral wheels at the front of the machine. The rightmost of these reads from 0 to 11 and is red. The other number wheels are black and read from 0 to 9. Three springs from the back of the machine are loose. A cloth cover is painted black.
- A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #230. A white tag attached to the machine reads: 505000 (/) Dept. Model (/) 363 (/) 1/12 Frac Apr 24 (/) lpc. A metal label attached to the machine reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation. The case is marked: Burroughs
- Models 1982.0794.44, 1982.0794.45, and 1982.0792.46 are all from Burroughs Patent Department model 230. This machine is the rightmost one in the images.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.45
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.45
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Sample Calculator, Sterling Pence
- Description
- In 1911 the Burroughs Adding Machine Company introduced a key-driven adding machine much like the Comptometer made by Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company. The Burroughs calculator, as the new machine was called, performed ordinary decimal arithmetic. Burroughs inventors soon designed special versions of the calculator to solve other problems. This is the model or sample for a machine for British currency.
- This machine has six columns of keys with nine octagonal plastic keys in each column. Odd keys are convex and even keys, flat. The rightmost column of keys is numbered from 1 to 9, with complementary numbers so that the numbers on one key add up to 11 (e.g., 4 and 7). These keys are black . To the left of this is a column of white keys, with the usual complementary digits. Left of this is another column of white keys, all numbered 1 with 0. Left of this column are two columns of black keys, numbered from 1 to 9 with the usual complements. The leftmost column has black keys, numbered 1 to 9 with complements so that the total of numbers on any one key is 11 (e.g. 4 and 7).
- The total appears in a row of number wheels at the front which are visible through windows in the case. The cloth cover is painted black.
- A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- Models 1982.0794.44, 1982.0794.45, and 1982.0792.46 are all from model 230 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.46
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.46
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Sample Calculator, Double 1/12 Fraction
- Description
- In 1911 the Burroughs Adding Machine Company introduced a key-driven adding machine much like the Comptometer made by Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company. The Burroughs calculator, as the new machine was called, performed ordinary decimal arithmetic. Burroughs inventors soon designed special versions of the calculator to solve other problems. This is the model for one of them.
- This machine has a green metal plate under the keys and a black metal bottom, but no sides or cover for the numeral wheels. The five columns of octagonal plastic keys have concave keys for odd digits, flat ones for even ones. The rightmost and the middle columns have two keys, for 11 and 12. The other three columns have nine keys, numbered from 1 to 9. The complements of numbers on the keys are also given, with the numbers totaling 11 on the four right columns and 9 on the leftmost. There are four numeral wheels at the front. Two to the right have numbers from 0 to 11, the other two digits from 0 to 9. There is no handle. The numbers in the two rightmost columns add, and carry when the total passes 12. The middle two columns don’t seem to function. and the machine does not function. There are four rubber feet and as a rubber piece around three sides at the base.
- A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT (/) #231. A white tag attached to the machine reads: Reference Machine (/) 5 Columns (/) Double 1/12 Fraction (/) DO NOT REMOVE THIS TAG - REFER TO (/) LETTER 12/5/40 - JAS to GWL. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- Objects 1982.0794.47, 1982.0794.48, 1987.0794.49, and 1982.0794.89 are all from Burroughs Patent Department Model 231.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.47
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.47
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Calculator Sample, Elapsed Day And Month
- Description
- In 1911 the Burroughs Adding Machine Company introduced a key-driven adding machine much like the Comptometer made by Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company. The Burroughs calculator, as the new machine was called, performed ordinary decimal arithmetic. Burroughs inventors soon designed special versions of the calculator to solve other problems. This is the model or sample for one of them, designed to measure elapsed days and months.
- This machine has a black metal cover and five columns of plastic keys. The leftmost column has black keys numbered from 1 to 9. The second column has nine red keys on which months are indicated. The adjacent middle column has two additional months noted (there is no “JAN” key). There also are three numeral keys in this column. The two rightmost columns have numeral keys running from 1 to 9. Complementary numbers and months are indicated. Six windows at the front of the machine display results. The a metal and wooden handle is on the right side. The cloth cover is painted black.
- A red paper tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #231. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs. A white tag attached to the machine is marked in part: Elapsed day & month. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- Objects 1982.0794.47, 1982.0794.48,1987.0794.49, and 1982.0794.89 are all from Burroughs Patent Department Model 231.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.48
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.48
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Calculator Sample, Double 1/8 Fraction
- Description
- In 1911 the Burroughs Adding Machine Company introduced a key-driven adding machine much like the Comptometer made by Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company. The Burroughs calculator, as the new machine was called, performed ordinary decimal arithmetic. Burroughs inventors soon designed special versions of the calculator to solve other problems. This is the model or sample for one of them.
- The machine has a black metal case with a green metal plate below five columns of plastic keys. The two right columns are for adding eighths. Both have seven keys marked off from 1/4 to 7/8 (several of these red key tops are missing). Three other columns have nine black keys, numbered from 1 to 9. Complementary numbers are indicated. Totals appear in six windows at the front of the machine. The two rightmost numeral wheels are red and indicate fractions. One of four rubber feet is missing. The cloth cover was taken from one received with 1982.0794.50.
- A red tag attached to the machine is marked: PATENT DEPT. (/) #231. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs. A yellow paper tag attached to the machine reads: Double (/) 1/8 Fraction. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- Objects 1982.0794.47, 1982.0794.48, 1987.0794.49, and 1982.0794.89 are all from Burroughs Patent Department Model 231.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1920
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.49
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.49
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs 520 Calculator
- Description
- This full-keyboard non-printing key-driven adding machine has twelve columns of plastic keys numbered from 1 to 9. The rightmost column has 10 and 11 keys at the top and 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 keys below. Fourteen result wheels are at the front. A black cloth cover and numerous spare parts are present.
- A red paper tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #232. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs (/) DETROIT, U.S.A.. A metal tag below the keys reads: 209662. A white paper tag attached to the machine reads: Reference Machine (/) 9 Columns (/) Style 520 - 1/4 Pence Const. (/) Style 13. A mark on the cover reads: BURROUGHS.
- This was model 232 from the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. There are numerous associated parts.
- The shape of the front of this instrument is that of an early Burroughs calculator. The number of columns would be that of a Burroughs model 550, although the tag refers to a Burroughs 520. From 1915, the shape of the front of the Burroughs calculator was quite different.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1913
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.50
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.50
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Class 9 Subtractor
- Description
- This model of a section of a Burroughs Class 9 adding machine has a steel mechanism in a steel framework painted brown. It has one column of black plastic number keys, and one column of red and white plastic function keys. There is part of a carriage, part of a printing mechanism, and a place for one spool of a ribbon. The mechanism is on a metal support that fits into a wooden stand. There is no cover for the sides.
- The Burroughs Class 9 was introduced in 1926. This is model #241 Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation, although there is no departmental tag. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1926
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.51
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.51
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Class 4 Adding Machine Section
- Description
- This model of a section of a Burroughs Class 4 adding machine has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a black wooden knob on the handle, and a dark brown wooden base. The single column of black plastic keys with has keys numbered 1 to 9. There is a white repeat key, part of a carriage, and one spool of a ribbon.The side is of metal. At the front are two black numeral dials, and on the right is a handle. The model fits on two screws in the wooden base, but is not held tightly.
- This is model #242 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1912
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.52
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.52
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Class 4 Adding Machine Section
- Description
- This section of a Burroughs Class 4 adding machine has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a black wooden knob on the handle, and a dark brown wooden base with a felt bottom. The case is open on one side. Thesingle column of black plastic keys has keys numbered 1 to 9. Also part of the model are a white repeat key, part of a carriage, a paper tape holder, two numeral wheels at the front, and a metal handle.
- The model has a metal support that attaches to a wooden base. This is model #243 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1912
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.53
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.53
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Burroughs Class 4 Adding Machine Section
- Description
- This adding machine model has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a metal brace, and a dark brown wooden base. The case is open on one side. The single column of black plastic keys has keys numbered 1 to 9. The keyboard is painted dark green. There is a white repeat key, part of a carriage, a paper tape holder, a compartment for one reel of a ribbon, and two numeral wheels. The model has a metal support that attaches to a wooden base.
- A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
- The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912. This is model #244 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1912
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.54
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.54
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center