Macaroni Box Model Comptometer (Replica)

Macaroni Box Model Comptometer (Replica)

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Description
This is a replica of the prototype for the Comptometer, a key-driven adding machine invented by Dorr E. Felt of Chicago. It is an open wooden box (originally used to store macaroni) with one row of "key stems" across the top. There are five skewers in the row, although there are holes for nine of them. Beneath this are five wooden levers and then five levers with rows of wooden discs on them. Further mechanism at the front of the machine incorporates both corks and metal gears and discs. Rubber bands, used to set the levers to accept the next keystroke, are missing.
Compare the original, which has catalog number MA.311192.
Reference:
J. A. V. Turck, Origin of Modern Calculating Machines, Chicago: Western Society of Engineers, 1921, pp. 52-56.
Object Name
adding machine
date made
ca 1933
maker
Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company
place made
United States: Illinois, Chicago
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
cork (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 24.5 cm x 23 cm x 52.4 cm; 9 21/32 in x 9 1/16 in x 20 5/8 in
ID Number
MA.323646
catalog number
323646
accession number
250163
Credit Line
Gift of Victor Comptometer Corporation
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Adding Machines
Science & Mathematics
Exhibition
My Computing Device
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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