Calcumeter 7 - Dial Plus Clearing Adder / Adding Machine
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:16926 | Maker: H. N. Morse |
The Calcumeter is a wheel-type adder that was invented by James J. Walsh of Elizabeth, New Jersey, who received a patent for it in 1901. The Calcumeter was first manufactured by the Morse & Walsh Company in 1903 and 1904, but by 1906 it was produced by Herbert North Morse of Trenton, NJ. Morse was apparently the businessman, while Walsh was the inventor. The Calcumeter was offered with anywhere from 5 to 12 dials ($5 extra per dial if you wanted more than the standard 6... dials). Initially it did not have a clearing mechanism, but Walsh invented and patented one in 1908 (the “RESET” dial), after which the machines were called “The Standard Desk Calcumeter”. This Calcumeter has 7 calculating dials plus the RESET dial. There is no provision for subtraction, only addition. The Calcumeter is made mostly of brass, with a nickel plated case. To aid in separating dollars and cents, the two dials on the right are brass, the next three are copper, and the last two are brass again. The Calcumeter is quite robust and very well made. In operation, it is unusually smooth compared with other dial-type adders. This is due in large part to its “stored energy” carry mechanism. As you turn the dials they slowly wind up a spring (you don’t notice it), and when a carry is required the energy of the spring is used to add one to the column to the left. Compared to every other dial-type adder that has a carry mechanism, this one is unbelievably smooth and easy. Multi-column carries are, in theory, no harder than a single-column carry. In practice, multi-column carries are a bit harder, but nothing like a Lightning or Pangborn. Clearing is a two step operation: turn clockwise to the stop, then turn counter-clockwise to the stop. To make use on a desktop easier, there are two fold-out legs on the back that tilt the Calcumeter toward the user. By all accounts the Calcumeter was quite successful, selling over 100, 000 units by 1910. The fact that it cost 1/10 the price of a Comptometer no doubt helped the sales quite a bit. However, there were even cheaper adders on the horizon, and by 1920 the Calcumeter was gone.
This Calcumeter is in excellent condition. All the dials turn very smoothly, and carry works easily on all dials. Clearing works fine, but the “RESET” dial is a little stiff to turn. There is no box, stylus, or instructions.
This adding machine is from the collection of Robert K. (“Bob”) Otnes, PhD, one of the founding members of the Oughtred Society and the original editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society. It is being sold by the Oughtred Society on his behalf.
The Oughtred Society was founded in 1991 by a group of slide rule collectors and is dedicated to the preservation and history of slide rules and other calculating instruments. Membership is open to anyone. Further information about the Oughtred Society can be found at: http://www.oughtred.org/.
PayPal is the only accepted form of payment. Buyers within California will be charged 7.25% sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA.
This Calcumeter is in excellent condition. All the dials turn very smoothly, and carry works easily on all dials. Clearing works fine, but the “RESET” dial is a little stiff to turn. There is no box, stylus, or instructions.
This adding machine is from the collection of Robert K. (“Bob”) Otnes, PhD, one of the founding members of the Oughtred Society and the original editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society. It is being sold by the Oughtred Society on his behalf.
The Oughtred Society was founded in 1991 by a group of slide rule collectors and is dedicated to the preservation and history of slide rules and other calculating instruments. Membership is open to anyone. Further information about the Oughtred Society can be found at: http://www.oughtred.org/.
PayPal is the only accepted form of payment. Buyers within California will be charged 7.25% sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA.
