The Webb Adder / Adding Machine
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:16931 | Maker: C. H. Webb |
The Webb Adder was first patented in 1868, and an improved version was patented in 1889. This is that improved, all-metal version. The Webb is a column adder, meant to add numbers column by column, just like you were taught in school. What the Webb has over most other column adders is that it can add three columns at a time, thanks to having two dials, one of which handles numbers from 1-99, and the other for the third column. This works as long as the total is ...less than 5000. This would have been a significant improvement in speed over single-column adders.
This Webb works very well, with the large dial turning very smoothly indeed, and the small dial also turning smoothly but a bit more stiffly and with a pronounced ratchet mechanism. Carry works perfectly, as does clearing on both dials. The one real flaw is that the markings, “The Adder” and “C. H. Webb” are missing from the main dial. From the pictures of other Webb Adders I could find on the web, this appears to be fairly common. Having said that, I can add that I’ve never seen two Webb Adders exactly alike, and I currently have 8 in the house. There are two numbered stickers on this one, one on the front and one on the back. Previous auction numbers? I don't know, and I will leave it to the buyer to figure out the best way to remove any trace of them.
This adder 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 Webb works very well, with the large dial turning very smoothly indeed, and the small dial also turning smoothly but a bit more stiffly and with a pronounced ratchet mechanism. Carry works perfectly, as does clearing on both dials. The one real flaw is that the markings, “The Adder” and “C. H. Webb” are missing from the main dial. From the pictures of other Webb Adders I could find on the web, this appears to be fairly common. Having said that, I can add that I’ve never seen two Webb Adders exactly alike, and I currently have 8 in the house. There are two numbered stickers on this one, one on the front and one on the back. Previous auction numbers? I don't know, and I will leave it to the buyer to figure out the best way to remove any trace of them.
This adder 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.
