Pictures 1820

Torchi (1834)

"The young LUIGI TORCHI (pronounce torki) was a carpenter who, so far as I can understand, had only been to primery school.

In 1834 he obtained a gold medal for a calculator he had created from pieces of wood and steel wire. It took him three years to build the first machine. No mention of his birth. So far as I can understand, his machine did three operations (sums, subtractions and multiplications).

It was particularly adapted for products with a common factor. It was built to multiply numbers of 3 digits with 4 digits. The near 66 millions products that could be obtained would have represented at least 44 five-hundred page volumes.

Carlino was the first to report the potential advantages of this machines and various scientists tried to convince the vice king to finance its improvement. This is reported in a letter dated 1835 written by Giuseppe Belli and sent to the mathematician Gabrio Piola.

In March 1840 the vice king authorized the purchase of of a metal model of the Torchi machine capable of products of three per four digits for a price of 1 000 Lire."

summary by Christian Barral

Literature:

Annali Universali di Statistica, Milano, 1836

P.Broglia, L.Massio: Il Calcolo Alla Specola Di Brera

	principle
	capacity
	input
	prod. years	1834
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: La Fama. Giornale di scienze, lettere, arti, industria e teatri' / V.Monnier

Slonimski (1840)

June 1840 issue of Kuryer Litewski

"A Jew S(elig) Slonimski born in Bialystok, recently invented a small machine for calculating, which thanks to its dimensions (length 10 inches,width 3 inches and 1 inch height), comfort, and low price deserves to be widely used. Everybody who knows digits only can, with the help of this machine, make calculations easily, fast, and without need to think. This machine can be seen at the inventor’s residence, where he is now working on a new machine for calculating logarithms. With the help of this machine one can simply and comfortably find the differences of Bruget logarithms,as well as natural logarithms up to 14 decimal digits"

Literature and links:

Polish Contributions to Computing

Georgi Dalakov: Hayyim Selig Slonimski

Stephan Weiss: Slonimsky's Multiplying Device, an impressive Example for Applied Mathematics

Stephan Weiss: Successors of Slonimsky's Multiplying Device 1844

Valery Monnier, Walter Szrek, Janusz Zalewski : Hayyim Selig Slonimski and His Adding Devices

Russian Patent for Slonimski's Adder

principle	Rotary Adder with manually enforced carry
capacity	7
input	stylus
prod. years
mach. built	?????
features
dimensions	35 x 6 x 1.5 cm
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego Collegium Maius

Chayyim Slonimski also designed a multiplication device for which he received a prestigeus Demidov Prize in 1845. This was a non-mechanical device allowing to view multiplication results for all multiplicands (2-9) without mentally adding carry. The device was based on the mathematical theorem invented by him.

principle	State machine. For each column (decimal position) an index related to the current state of carryovers and multiplicand value points to the results in the next column and the state of carryovers for the following columns. In each column results of the multiplication by a multiplier 2-9 are concurrently seen.
capacity	?????
production years	?????
machines built	?????
features





	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		Trogemann et al.: Computing in Russia. Vieweg 2001

Roth (1841)

Martin (US), pages 59 - 60

Martin (Dtsch), pages 63 - 64

"Dr. Didier Roth, Paris, designed an adding and subtracting machine with a stylus setting mechanism - similar to Pascal’s machine but materially improved."

Literature and links:

Valéry Monnier: Les machines du Dr.Roth (English version)

principle	disk calculator
capacity	2, 8 or 9
input	stylus
prod. years	1841
mach. built
features	subtraction via complement numbers; also version for English currency
dimensions	35 x 6 x 1.5 cm
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: private collection, France

Description (in German):

Bericht des Hrn. Theodor Olivier über die Rechenmaschinen des Hrn. Dr. Roth in Paris.

aus dem Bulletin de la Société d'Encouragement, Sept. 1843, S. 411

Dr. Roth also designed a machine that externally resembles Hahn's machine and possesses gears with a variable number of teeth (pinwheel).

principle	pin wheel
capacity	?????
production years	?????
machines built	?????
features





	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		Exhibit on display at Musée des arts et métiers CNAM, Paris. 60 rue Reaumur 75003 Paris

Marston (1842)

Martin (US), page 60

Martin (Dtsch), page 64

"No details are known about this machine that was patented in England."

British patent 9235 from 1842

principle	disk adder
capacity
input	stylus
prod. years	1842
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Darek Lipski

Hatfield (1844)

table of interest, patented May 6, 1844

principle
capacity
input
prod. years	1844
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: mcon1614

Staffel (1845)

Martin (US), page 60

Martin (Dtsch), page 65

Literature:

Max Detlefsen: Polnische Rechenmaschinenerfinder des 19. Jahrhunderts; Wissenschaft und Fortschritt, 26 (1976), pages 86 - 90

description of Staffels machine in "report of a French commission about the exhibition in London 1851", page 11 (in French)

English translation (done by Brian and Pat Stone)

source: V.Monnier

This is a seven-place adding machine made by I. A. Staffel, a Pole.

The machine is the property of the Muzeum Techniki, Warsaw Poland.

principle	?????
capacity	7
production years	1842
machines built	?????
features





	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: W.Szrek

Staffel also constructed a full 4-specie (plus square-root) calculating machine, not mentioned by Martin.

At the 2. Greifswalder Symposium zur Entwicklung der Rechentechnik, 12. - 14. September 2003, Timo Leipälä gave a talk about "The life and works of W. T. Odhner". He covers some aspects of the development of this Staffel machine:

The life and works of W. T. Odhner, excerpt (with permission of the author)

principle	pinwheel ?
capacity	7 x 7 x 13
production years	1845
machines built
features
dimensions	46 x 23 x 10 cm




	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Science Museum, London UK

Trinks in his book (Trinks F.: Geschichtliche Daten aus der Entwicklung der Rechenmaschine von Pascal bis zur Nova-Brunsviga, Braunschweiger GNC Monatsschrift, 1926, p. 249-276) mentions an adding machine as a third Staffel development:

principle	???
capacity	7
production years
machines built
features	2 species machine




	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum, photo: I. Simon

Arithmaurel (1849)

Martin (US), pages 61 - 62

Martin (Dtsch), pages 65 - 66

"This device was made by Maurel and Jayet. The machine is especially well suited for multiplication and division but is also capable of performing additions and subtractions. The operation is very simple. The whole setting mechanism and the result windows are shown in figure 31."

Valéry Monnier: L'Arithmaurel de Maurel & Jayet

Erhard Anthes: Arithmaurel: Staffelwalzenmaschine von Maurel und Jayet, 1849

	principle	stepped drum
	capacity	8 x 4 x 8
	input	bars and butterfly knobs
	prod. years	1849
	mach. built	few
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum, photo: I. Simon

Young (1851)

According to NMAH (a part of Smithsonian Institution) website Samuel S. Young of Eaton, Ohio, took out three patents for computing devices. The first one was adding device patented July 24, 1849. The later ones were a rule for calculating interest, patented September 2, 1851 (U.S. patent 8323), and an arithmetical proof rule, patented October 26, 1858 (U.S. patent 21921). The one below is an interest calculating device.

Literature and links:

Young Calculating Machine Patent Model

Young's devices in "History of Computers and Computing, Calculating Tools, ....."

	principle
	capacity
	input	stylus
	prod. years
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions	45 x 5 x 1 cm
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: W. Szrek

Hatfield (1854)

On September 26, 1854, a certain Aaron L. Hatfield of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, took out a US patent no 11726 for machine for adding numbers. There is another calculating device from the time, made by another Hatfield, Jehu, from Glens Falls, New York, patented as Machine for calculating interest in 1844 (patent no 3574), but it seems there is no relation between them.

Literature and links:

Aaron Hatfield's adder in "History of Computers and Computing, Calculating Tools, ....."

	principle
	capacity
	input	stylus
	prod. years
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions	25 x 12.5 x 1.5 cm
	weight
	known s/n	599

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: W. Szrek

Appleby (1856)

From Giorgi Dalakov: Appleby was born in 1807, all his life lived in Shaftesbury, Devonshire, unmarried, working as Linsey Maker/Hosier and parish clerk, died probably in 1891.

	principle
	capacity
	input	stylus
	prod. years
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions	37 x 10.5 x 4 cm
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: W. Szrek

Hill (1857)

Martin (US), page 63

Martin (Dtsch), page 67

"Hill’s machine, as illustrated in figure 33, shows considerably more similarity with our modern keyboard adding machines than either Parmelee’s or Schilt’s device, yet it never advanced beyond the experimental stage. The model illustrated may be found in the National Museum in Washington. The individual digit wheels have the digits 0 to 9 inscribed around them seven times. These digit wheels are moved by a gear which, in turn, is driven around by the action of depressing a key on the keyboard. There are no overthrow locks. The tens-carry mechanism is similar to that of Pascal’s machine."

	principle	rocker arms
	capacity
	input	keyboard
	production years	1857
	machines built
	features
	known s/n


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Winter Calculating Machine (1859)

inventor: C.Winter, US patent #23 637

	principle	column adder
	capacity
	input	keys
	prod. years	1859
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Filipowski (1860)

Herschell Filipowski's Calculating Machine for Multiplication and Division, composed of a total of fifty-six wooden calculating rods, each rod with printed paper alphabet letter to crown and printed paper cover with ten columns of figures (each with nine rows).

principle	table
capacity
input
prod. years
mach. built
features
dimensions	12 x 13 x 8 cm
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Dominic Winter Auctioneers

Fowler Adder (1863)

Manufactured by the Fowler Adding Machine Company, New York. Patented by George B. Fowler July 14, 1863. Also marketed under the name "The Universal Adding Machine".

	principle	slide bar-type adder
	capacity	8 x 8
	input	stylus
	prod. years	1863
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: Oddbits

Webb (1868)

Martin (US), page 63

Martin (Dtsch), page 67

"Designed by C. H. Webb, it consists of two rotable circular disks, one for the numbers up to a hundred, the other one for thousands. The apparatus has automatic tens-carry."

Literature and links:

The Webb Adder in "American Artifacts"

Webb's Adder and Ribbon Adder in "History of Computers and Computing, Calculating Tools, ....."

	principle	circular disks
	capacity	3 x x 4 (up to 4.999)
	input	stylus
	production years	1868 - ????
	machines built
	features
	known s/n


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: W.Szrek

Nestler & Roesler

Vienna, Austria (Fa. Soenneckens Schreibwarenfabrik)

it is not clear if Nestler & Roesler was a distributor for Webb or if they produced the adder with or without license.

principle	circular disks
capacity	up to 4.999
input	stylus
prod. years
mach. built
features
dimensions	16 x 11 x 1 cm
weight	400 g
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: B.Surquin

Ribbon Adder

French patent from 1893 source: V.Monnier

principle	cont. ribbons with digits
capacity	8 x x 8
input	stylus
prod. years	1893
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n	133

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: © Peter K. Frei

Addist (1869)

manufacturer: R.H.Walker, New York, USA

	principle	cardboard adder
	capacity	4 x 4 (w/o tc)
	input	stylus
	prod. years	1869
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions	13 x 9 cm
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: javadogcafe

Groesbeck (1870)

Martin (US), page 358

Martin (Dtsch), page 383

"This is a small adding machine along the lines of Dr. Roth’s machines (figure 30). It has six places in both adding and subtracting viewing windows. During the seventies, the machine was manufactured by Ziegler and McCudry and distributed in Philadelphia. However, it was never widely sold and production has long since ceased."

	principle
	capacity	6 (also 5)
	input	stylus
	production years	1870
	machines built
	features
	known s/n


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Chapin (1870)

Martin (US), page 64

Martin (Dtsch), page 67

"A nine key machine for adding single columns of numbers. The machine never went beyond the experimental stage."

Martin confused 1870 adding machine with Chapin's 3rd patent from April 1900

Literature and links:

Chapin's devices in "History of Computers and Computing, Calculating Tools, ....."

	principle
	capacity	7
	input
	production years	1870
	machines built
	features
	dimensions	20 x 15 x 15 cm


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Petersson Calculator (1873)

manufacturer: A.J.Petersson, Oslo, Norway

Literature:

E.Anthes: Die zylindrischen Rechenmaschinen von Leupold bis Herzstark, Historische Bürowelt 22, page 16-21 (1988) , IFHB

E.Anthes: Die zylindrische Rechenmaschine von A.J.Petersson, Historische Bürowelt 31, page 17-18 (1991) , IFHB

D.Bölter: Christel Hamann, Paul Haack, Axel Jacob Petersson (2007)

	principle	central stepped drum
	capacity	6 /w/o cr) x 1 x 14, also 5 x 1 x 12 and 6 x 1 x 12
	input	sliders
	prod. years	1873
	mach. built	few
	features
	dimensions	diam. 9.5, height 19 cm
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: ©Tekniska museet, Stockholm

Baldwin (1875)

Martin (US), page 71 - 75

Martin (Dtsch), pages 75 - 80

source: Monroe Calc. Company

"Frank Stephen Baldwin was born on 10 April 1838 in New Hartford. About 1870 he saw the first stepped drum machine and it caught his interest. He decided to build a machine with only one cylinder instead of nine drums. A patent application received at the patent office in Washington on 5 October 1872, which contains exact details and drawings of Baldwin’s machine, specifically of the model that appeared on the market in 1875 that included the gear with the variable number of teeth. Under the date of 8 September 1873, an improvement on the first model was added to the patent."

"Since Odhner’s efforts date back only to 1874, the year he made his first model, it seems now definitely proved that Baldwin was the first to employ, in practice, the gear with the variable number of teeth in a calculating machine. It may be assumed that Odhner reinvented this device at a later date. In any case we have no proof whatsoever that Odhner imitated the Baldwin machine, which, as is widely known, the Americans often claim."

An Interview with Mr. Baldwin

source: Monroe Calc. Company

Recording Lumber Measurer

automatically measurs and records the board feet of lumber and takes four different calculations

principle	?
capacity
input
prod. years	patent: 138 310, April 29, 1873
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Thomas A. Russo

adding machine (Arithmometer)

principle	?
capacity	6
input
prod. years	patent: 153 522, July 28, 1874
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Pook & Pook, Inc., photographer Kyle Pook

pin wheel machine

Cris Vande Velde trip report from the Smithsonian Institution

principle	pin wheel
capacity	6 x 8 x 13
input
prod. years	patent: Oct 5, 1872
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Monroe Calc. Company

10 key adding machine

principle
capacity
input
prod. years	1905
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Monroe Calc. Company

Grant (1877)

Martin (US), page 76 - 77

Martin (Dtsch), pages 80 - 82

"This machine was constructed by George B. Grant as early as 1870, but was not publicized until 1877. Additional publications concerning this machine are likely to appear in Brooklyn in the near future.

An upper cylinder is turned by means of a crank and drives a small shaft mounted underneath. A slide on the cylinder, which may be set in eight different positions, carries eight digit rings that may be set for eight or fewer decimal places. With each turn of the crank, the numbers set up in the rings are added to the value set in the ten numeral wheels of the lower shaft."

"The machine illustrated in figure 51 also originates from the same inventor. In front there arc five setting slots with setting levers protruding from them; each slot has two rows of additive and subtractive setting numbers printed adjacent to it. Movement of the setting lever forward or backward moves the racks visible in the drawing. When the crank is turned, the whole carriage is moved forward, and the setting racks mesh with the gears and move them, together with the appropriate numeral wheels. When the carriage is returned, the connection between racks and gears is broken and a successive tens-carry takes place. Zero setting also occurs by rotation of the crank. "

	principle
	capacity
	input
	prod. years	1877
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Diakov (Diakoff, Diakow, Djakow) (1878)

similar to Webb Ribbon Adder and Bassett Adder

principle	ribbon adder
capacity	10 x x 10
input	stylus
prod. years	1878
mach. built
features	2 species
dimensions	33 x 31 x 3 cm
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: permission granted

Gordon (1878)

George P. Gordon was granted several patents between 1850 and 1875 in printing presses

principle	circular adder
capacity	9999
input	stylus
prod. years	1878
mach. built	more than 30
features	only adding
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: permission granted

Burkhardt Arithmometer (1878)

Martin (US), page 78 - 82

Martin (Dtsch), page 82 - 87 & 400 - 401

"In I876 C. Dietzschold, an engineer in the town of Glashütte, set out to build a multiplication machine. He encountered difficulties, however, and asked for help from one of his schoolmates, Arthur Burkhardt, another engineer who was then serving his time in the army. Burkhardt came to Glashütte in 1878, shortly after Dietzschold had supplied one of his machines to the Royal Prussian Statistical Office. The statistical office found that the machine did not operate to their full satisfaction. A year later Burkhardt replaced this machine with two others constructed according to the stepped drum system (Thomas-Colmar) and thus laid the foundation for the calculating machine industry in Germany. Soon afterward Professor Dr. Reuleaux confirmed that Burkhardt's product excelled the French one in many ways. A number of machines were produced for government authorities, insurance companies, and the like, but the demand for such machines was still so insignificant that Burkhardt had to turn to the manufacture of other articles and, in fact, had to leave Glashütte for Braunschweig (during which time he was active in an entirely different line). He later returned to Glashütte and again devoted his time to the manufacture of calculating machines, which were becoming popular in commercial firms, manufacturing enterprises, and banks. Burkhardt is generally regarded as the founder of the calculating machine industry in Germany, and in the course of years he managed to keep improving his product so that, even today, it is still very popular and meets with increasing sales. Burkhardt died on 21 July 1918.

The "Erste Glashütter Rechenmaschinenfabrik von Arthur Burkhardt in Glashütte" merged, in 1920, with the Glashütter Rechenmaschinenfabrik, Saxonia, also in Glashütte, so that nowadays the Saxonia machine is manufactured by the same firm. The name of the new firm is Vereinigte Glashütter Rechenmaschinenfabriken, Tachometer- und feinmechanische Werkstatt, Glashütte, Sachsen."

On Aug. 28, 1929, the company went out of business.

Burkhardt "A"

	principle	stepped drum
	capacity	6 x 7 x 12, 8 x 9 x 16, 10 x 11 x 20
	input	sliders
	production years	ca. 1880 - 1910
	machines built	ca. 2.500
	features
	known s/n	36 to 2.471


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: W.Szrek

Burkhardt "E"

	principle	stepped drum
	capacity	10 x 9 x 16, 10 x 7 x 13, 10 x 11 x 20, 8 x 7 x 13
	input	sliders
	production years	ca. 1920 - 1926
	machines built
	features
	known s/n	9.409, 9.731


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: R.Rehbein

Burkhardt "H"

	principle	stepped drum
	capacity	6 x 7 x 12, 10 x 11 x 20
	input	sliders
	production years	from 1905
	machines built
	features
	known s/n	7.325, 7.775


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Harts Mercantile Computing Machine (1878)

inventor: William Hart, US patent #199 289, Jan 15, 1878

Literature and links:

US patent #199 289 Improvement in calculators

Peggy Aldrich Kidwell: American Adders: Circles and Bands, ETCetera pages 3 - 6, #31, June 1995

	principle	disk adder
	capacity
	input	stylus
	prod. years	1878
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions	12.4 cm diameter
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: D.Amidon

Hellström (1879)

J.F.Hellström, Nykoping (Sweden); patent 10/7 1879

how to use the Hellström adder (source: K.Badur)

principle	adder
capacity	up to 99.999
input
prod. years	1879
mach. built
features
dimensions	15,5 cm diam., 6,5 cm height
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: auktionsverket.se

source: D.Amidon

Habereder (1880)

patented 1880 by Caroline Saruber and F. Habereder, manufactured by F. Habereder & Co Vienna

principle	spiral adder
capacity	up to 329
input	wheel
prod. years	1880
mach. built
features
dimensions	length 24 cm
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Auction House Dorotheum, Vienna

Tchebyshev (1882)

Martin (US), page 83 - 85

Martin (Dtsch), page 88 - 91

"This is a combined adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing machine designed by the Russian mathematician Tschebicheff. Only one example of the machine was built, in Paris, and it may be found in the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers. The machine does not use any springs."

Literature and links:

Mechanisms by Tchebyshev (with movie)

pictures show the first model of the adding machine from the History Museum of St. Petersburg, a second model is in CNAM, Paris

principle
capacity
input
prod. years	1882
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Andrew Butko (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Арифмометр.jpg)

Layton (1883)

Martin (US), page 87

Martin (Dtsch), page 91

"From 1883 to 1886 Layton’s Arithmometer was manufactured and sold by Charles and Edwin Layton on Farrington Road in London. This was the first English stepped drum machine. Later Tate, a sales agent for the machine, improved it. It was sold under the name Tate from 1907 until 1914. "

principle	stepped drum
capacity	various
input	sliders
prod. years	1883 - 1886 Layton 1907 - 1914 Tate
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n	1.222

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Judd

Genaille-Lucas (1883)

further development of Napier's bones, direct display of the result, no manuell adding necessary

Literature and links:

Stephan Weiss: Die Multiplizierstäbe von Genaille und Lucas

Les Réglettes Financières

principle
capacity
input
prod. years	1883
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Valéry Monnier

Spalding (1884)

Martin (US), page 87 - 88

Martin (Dtsch), page 92

"This is a single-column adding machine with nine slides, situated in one row, for setting up the individual digits. Instead of the customary counting gears, this machine has mounted on its surface two numeral dials, each with a pointer. The large dial on the left (figure 62) is for the numbers 1 to 99; the hundred is automatically transferred to the smaller dial o n the right.

The machine was never put into production and remained unknown in practice."

	principle
	capacity	????
	production years	1884
	machines built	?????
	features





		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Edmondson (1885)

Martin (US), page 89

Martin (Dtsch), page 93 - 94

"In this machine the multiplicand and divisor are set with the aid of the slides shown in figure 63. The result mechanism and revolution counter are situated upon a circular disc in the center. This arrangement has the advantage that a division that does not end without remainder may be continued for any selected number of places, whereas the stepped drum machine or the pinwheel machine only permit division to be carried on over a limited number of places. The machine is provided with a zero-setting device with which some, or all of the windows may be set to zero.

The machine was manufactured by Blakey, Emmot. and Company in Halifax."

principle	stepped drum
capacity	8 x 20, variable split between result and counter register
input	sliders
prod. years	1885
mach. built
features
dimensions	48 x 41 x 15 cm
weight	20 kg
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: O.Mundy

Comptometer (1885)

Martin (US), page 89 - 95

Martin (Dtsch), page 94 - 99 & 401

"Dorr E. Felt was employed as a mechanic in Chicago in 1884 when he was twenty-two years old. He spent his free time on experiments making a calculating machine. In 1885 his first machine, which admittedly was rather primitive, was completed. It is illustrated in figure 64, and since it was built into an old macaroni box. it received the name macaroni box model. This model is still in existence today. In November 1887 the firm Felt and Tarrant was founded. It was registered in January 1889. and since that time the firm has been manufacturing Comptometer calculating machines under the personal management of the inventor."

Literature and links:

Jay M. Goldman has a very nice collection of Comptometer on his web page.

Brooke W. Boering maintains the Comptometer home page. Here you find everything you want to know about the Comptometer.

see also Bell Punch Comptometer

drawings and advertising

La Nature (April 1896) source: Valery Monnier

Wood case

principle	rocker arm
capacity	8, 10 or 12
input	full keyboard
prod. years	1887 - 1903
mach. built	ca. 6.500
features	also models for British currency
dimensions
weight
known s/n	61, 71, 3.676

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: S.Roube

Comptograph

principle	rocker arm
capacity	various
input	full keyboard
prod. years	patent 1889
mach. built
features	integrated printer
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Thomas A. Russo

model A

	principle	rocker arm
	capacity	8, 10 or 12
	input	full keyboard
	prod. years	1904 - 1906
	mach. built	ca. 2-3.000
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n	15.000 and higher

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

model F

	principle	rocker arm
	capacity	8, 10 or 12
	input	full keyboard
	prod. years	from 1915
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n	100,000 - ?

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

model H

principle	rocker arm
capacity	8, 10 or 12
input	full keyboard
prod. years	from 1920
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n	ca. 200.000 and higher

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: M.Meissner

model J

principle	rocker arm
capacity	8, 10 or 12
input	full keyboard
prod. years	from 1926
mach. built
features	also models for British currency
dimensions
weight
known s/n	ca. 245.000 and higher

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: HJ.Denker

model ST (Super Totalizer)

principle	rocker arm
capacity	8, 10 or 12
input	full keyboard
prod. years	from 1930
mach. built
features	sub-total and grand-total
dimensions
weight
known s/n	J316.821 S1.131

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: H.van Noort

Selling (1886)

Martin (US), page 96 - 97

Martin (Dtsch), page 100 - 101

"Professor Dr. E. Selling of Würzburg designed a calculating machine in which the tiresome turning of the crank, and also the jerky tens-carry, was successfully avoided by employment of the device known as the Nuremberg shears (also known as a stork bill).

The machine consists of two separate mechanisms that are brought into joint action during the operation. The two parts are:

I . The Nuremberg shears with toothed racks and keyboard for setting the multiplicand.

2 . The gears and numeral wheels. all mounted upon a common shaft and adapted to receive the longitudinal movement of the racks and convert it into a rotating movement. The numeral wheels are connected with one another by so-called planetary gears for the purpose of tens-carry. Thus a malfunction due to spring obstructions is rendered impossible.

The actual calculating occurs by opening and closing the Nuremberg shears by means of a hand ring, the magnitude of such movement being determined by the multiplier."

	principle	Nuremberg shears
	capacity	6 (w/o cr) x 6 (w tc) x 12
	input	full keyboard
	prod. years	1886
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n	20

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum, photo: I. Simon

Watson (1886)

adding machine; inventor: E.W.Watson, McLean, NY (USA)

US patent US 334 064

principle
capacity
input	stylus
prod. years	1886
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: typebar

Büttner (1888)

Martin (US), page 97 - 98

Martin (Dtsch), page 102 - 103

"Designer: Otto Büttner, Kaulbachstr. 18, Dresden, Sales agency: Wilhelm Brückner, Dresden.

In appearance the machine resembles the contemporary stepped drum machines."

this is a pin wheel machine.

principle	pin wheel
capacity	various
input	thumb wheel
prod. years	1888
mach. built
features
dimensions
weight
known s/n	93

	for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture
		source: Deutsches Museum, München; photo: W.Szrek

Bollée (1888)

Martin (US), page 98 - 103

Martin (Dtsch), page 103 - 109

"All calculating machines described so far have implemented multiplication by continued addition and division by continued subtraction. Leon Bollée, born 1 April 1870, constructed in the course of three months (from February until April 1888) a calculating machine in which the multiplication table was mechanically represented for the first time. In other words, he created the multiplication body that we find today in the Millionaire machine, in the Moon-Hopkins machine, and in the Kuhrt machine, although the various manufacturers designed it in slightly different forms."

A very nice movie and animation about the Bollée machine can be found on this web site of the CNAM Musée des arts et métiers (Quicktime required, click on the word VIDEO in the right, lower corner)

	principle	multiplication body
	capacity	various
	prod. years	1888 - 1892 (?)
	mach. built	few
	features





		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Arithmographe de Bollée (1895)

This instrument combines slide adder mechanically connected with a series of overlapping multiplication rods. Partial results (of multiplication) are not given in form of digits, like on Napier’s bones, but by the positions of adding wings (coulisses d’addition).

	principle	slide adder
	capacity
	prod. years	1895
	mach. built
	features





		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Arithmographe Troncet (1890)

Martin (US) not mentioned in Martin

Martin (Dtsch)

designer: L.Troncet, manufacturer: P.Larousse, Paris, France

	principle	sliders
	capacity	7 x x 7
	input	pen
	production years	ca. 1890
	machines built	???
	features	addition and subtraction
	known s/n


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Troncet totalisateur

	principle
	capacity
	input	pen
	production years	ca. 1895
	machines built
	features
	known s/n


		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

Cordingley (1890)

Cordingley's Computometer Patent Adding Machine, manufactured by W.G.Cordingley & Co., London

	principle
	capacity
	input	stylus
	prod. years	1890 - 1910
	mach. built
	features	English currency
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n	1 072

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: John Homefish

Centigraph (1891)

small adder, constructed by Arthur E. Shattuck, San Francisco; patented June 9, 1891.

Bob Otnes, Palo Alto, California
Vortrag, gehalten beim 2. Greifswalder Symposium zur Entwicklung der Rechentechnik 12. - 14. September 2003, erschienen in Girbardt/Schmidt 9-2003
published also in Rechnerlexikon

	principle	???
	capacity	???
	production years	1891 - ?
	machines built	???
	features





		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: Jim Lynard

Landin (1891)

inventor: P.J.Landin, US patent #482 312 from 1891

"grandfather" of the Rapid Computer and Comptator.

Peggy Aldrich Kidwell : "Yours for Improvement'-The Adding Machines of Chicago, 1884-1930" in IEEE Annals of the History of Computing Juli - Sept. 2001, pp. 3 - 21 :

«[38] ... The history of Landin Computer and Rapid Computer companies remain obscure. As yet, I know of no surviving examples that are marked as produced by the Landin Computer Company. »

	principle	chain adder
	capacity	7 x x 7
	input	stylus
	prod. years	from 1891
	mach. built
	features
	dimensions
	weight
	known s/n

		for bigger and more pictures, click on the picture

source: W.Szrek

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last updated: 26-Nov-13