[GreenKeys] OT: Mechanical Adding Machines

[Richard Knoppow]

    Mine is a Model II. It was given to me by a friend. I had wanted one 
ever since I saw my first one when I was about thirteen or fourteen. 
That one belonged to one of my photography mentors. There is a good deal 
of literature about them on line. I spent some time learning how to use 
it, at least partially, but its not really a substitute for a slide rule 
let alone an electronic calculator. It is essentially a mechanical 
adding machine. Doesn't do roots or powers directly.

On 11/6/2017 2:43 PM, acti at provide.net wrote:
> Richard Knoppow wrote:
>> I sort of collect typewriters but I think calculators are more complex.
>> I do have a Curta, which is an amazing bit of engineering.
> 
> Wow... Lucky guy... Which type?
> 
> OOC... Are there any Google/Yahoo groups or elists for Curta enthusiasts?
> I am interested in learning more about them.
> 
> For coolness factor, I've always wanted to take a Curta to FIRST 
> robotics events
> and use it there in the pits to freak out the students... But they're 
> too rare,
> delicate, and expensive! (Would've been perfect last season.. A 
> "Steampunk" theme.)
> Also... Considering most smart phones (and even my Dollar Tree 
> "scientific pocket
> calculator" for $1) can do all that and more, I may have to "wait until 
> I'm old &
> insanely rich with cash to burn" to afford to collect one.
> 
> Speaking of mech calculators, decades ago my accountant dad had a Frieden
> [15 place, AC, mechanical] Calculator in his office. As a kid, I loved to
> tell it to divide something by zero and watch it merrily mechanically 
> crunch
> away at it until you got bored and interrupted it... Great 
> entertainment. (grin)
> 
> I guess I'll have to be happy for now with my Interpolating Slide Rule
> and Napier's Bones set.
> .. http://mathworld.wolfram.com/NapiersBones.html
> .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier%27s_bones
> 
> Thanks!
> - Keith Mc.
> 

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL