Smithsonian museums continue to be closed to support the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Read a message from our director, and check our website and social media for updates.

Veeder Counter

Veeder Counter

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
In 1895 the mechanical engineer Curtis Veeder (1862-1943) founded the Veeder Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Ct. It made cyclometers that measured the distance traveled by bicycles. The business expanded to include counters for speedometers, machines, production workers, and other purposes. In 1928 the company merged with the Root Company to form Veeder-Root, a firm that remained in business for decades.
This counter has a brass frame painted black. A glass window reveals four number wheels, with a decimal point in the middle. Turning a knob on the right side advances the number wheels by.10 per revolution (i.e., the rightmost wheel turns once per revolution). A mark on one end reads: THE VEEDER MFG.CO (/) Veeder (/) HARTFORD CONN USA. A mark on the other end reads: 3713627.
An undated catalog of Veeder Manufacturing Company shows a counter similar to this one and reports that these counters were “furnished to and used by the U.S. Weather Bureau." The counter shown in the catalog would be rotated with the left hand, while the object in the collections is most naturally rotated with the right hand.
References:
“Veeder’s Successful Development of the ‘Big Unit’ Market,” Printers’ Ink, vol. 103 #4, April 25, 1918, pp. 129–132, 137–138.
Veeder Manufacturing Company, [Catalog], no date, Hartford, Ct., Trade Literature, Smithsonian Institution Libraries.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
counter
date made
ca 1920
maker
Veeder Manufacturing Company
place made
United States: Connecticut, Hartford
Physical Description
brass (overall material)
glass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 3.2 cm x 7 cm x 3.2 cm; 1 1/4 in x 2 3/4 in x 1 1/4 in
ID Number
1987.3066.01
nonaccession number
1987.3066
catalog number
1987.3066.01
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Science & Mathematics
Counters
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Comments

reply
answer for: Bill Tantau The original manual for the veeder root speed counter (Pat. nov. 05. 1907) -To use te veeder root speed counter, first note the reading of the registrer, then place the point lithgtly agains the end of the shaft ; The spindle of the instrumet will turn frely. When the second hand of the watch is at 0, press on the end of the instrumet and it will begin tu count. at the en fod a minute, relase pressure and the counter stops. the diference between the first reading and the final is the revolutions required. A stop whach is not needed. Recommended maximum speed is 1000 R.P.M. Intermittent servise 2500 R.P.M. No change require for taking speed of shaft running ineither direccion, counter adds one way and substrac the other, correcy count either way Do not whaste time setting instrumet to 0 atte: Santiago De Curtis

Zaldi Txiki

Fri, 2018-11-16 07:54

reply
I have a Veeder counter 3.25" long with a rubber pointer on the shaft end and a 4 digit display dated Nov 5, 1907. There is no way of getting inside so it's reverse spinning to reset to zero?? Thanks!

Bill Tantau

Mon, 2017-12-18 09:32

reply
"Have a very small Veeder counter with a 5 digit display mounted on a block of wood. Manufacturer's stamp is dated October 3, 1899. Can this counter be reset to "00000 "?"

Greg reinert

Thu, 2016-06-02 23:53

reply
Yes it can be reset take the four screws out and pull it apart don't worry about it coming apart it will stay in one piece. You can reset it by turning it backwards until it zeros out. Then slide it back in case and tighten four screws.

Pat Urdahl

Fri, 2017-09-08 15:51

reply
The Veeder counter in the Smithsonian collections is reset to zero simply by turning the knob.

Peggy Kidwell

Mon, 2016-06-06 09:06

reply
"I have a Veeder Counter, dated Aug. 10, 1919. It was my Dad's Very good shape too! :-)"

Lanny Fuettere

Fri, 2014-09-12 15:16

Add a comment about this object