Calculator Collection

M. I. T. Calculator 1930S
The Differential Analyser calculating machine designed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Replica of mechanical calculator invented by Leonardo Da Vinci

Pascals calculator, 17th Century artwork
Pascals calculator. Historical artwork showing the mechanism inside a 17th Century mechanical device used to perform mathematical calculations

Mathematical equipment
Mathematics equipment. Protractor (left), a pair of compasses and pencil (centre top), a pen (right) and an electronic calculator (lower centre)

An engraving depicting a clerk using a Pascal adding machine, and writing down his results with a quill pen
5311630 An engraving depicting a clerk using a Pascal adding machine, and writing down his results with a quill pen, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1835); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Advertisement for the Arithmometer, calculating machine, 1862
7125130 Advertisement for the Arithmometer, calculating machine, 1862; (add.info.: Advertisement for the Arithmometer, calculating machine)

Calculating machine by Mr Thomas de Colmar, Paris (engraving)
8634944 Calculating machine by Mr Thomas de Colmar, Paris (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calculating machine by Mr Thomas de Colmar, Paris)

Indians of America: Inca teacher giving lessons to learn to keep accounts (compatbilite) with the help of a Quipu
NWI4900546 Indians of America: Inca teacher giving lessons to learn to keep accounts (compatbilite) with the help of a Quipu

History of immigration in America: Chinese merchant using an abaque (abacus) and accountant from San Francisco, USA
NWI4890044 History of immigration in America: Chinese merchant using an abaque (abacus) and accountant from San Francisco, USA, circa 1890

George and Edward Scheutz's calculating machine. Based on Babbage's 'difference engine'
530832 George and Edward Scheutz's calculating machine. Based on Babbage's 'difference engine', it was developed between 1837 and 1843

Hollerith tabulator which used a punched card memory system. First used in the US census of 1890
530833 Hollerith tabulator which used a punched card memory system. First used in the US census of 1890. Engraving, Paris, 1894; Universal History Archive/UIG.

A merchant and his clerk using a calculating table
5307700 A merchant and his clerk using a calculating table.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a merchant and his clerk using a calculating table marked out in the form of an abacus)

Sciences: Mechanical calculator by Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), known as the "Pascaline" for addtions
NWI4948707 Sciences: Mechanical calculator by Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), known as the "Pascaline" for addtions and subtractions, 17th century

Commonplace workbook kept by William Spink, RN, including mathematical calculations and methods for calculating at sea
7342539 Commonplace workbook kept by William Spink, RN, including mathematical calculations and methods for calculating at sea, 1697-1705 (paper, ink) by Spink

Abacus made by John Napier (1550-1617) known as Napier's sticks, allowing calculation
AIS5370488 Abacus made by John Napier (1550-1617) known as Napier's sticks, allowing calculation.; (add.info.: Abacus made by John Napier called Neper (1550-1617)

A merchant and his clerk using a calculating table
5307494 A merchant and his clerk using a calculating table.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a merchant and his clerk using a calculating table marked out in the form of an abacus)

Clerk using a Pascal (1623-1664) type of adding machine. Woodcut London, 1835
530835 Clerk using a Pascal (1623-1664) type of adding machine. Woodcut London, 1835; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Charles Babage's calculating machine, the " difference engine," 1800s
NWI4948145 Charles Babage's calculating machine, the " difference engine," 1800s.; (add.info.: Charles Babage's calculating machine)

Pascal's (1623-1664) digital counting machine (1642) showing, top, two of the train of number wheels which were
530837 Pascal's (1623-1664) digital counting machine (1642) showing, top, two of the train of number wheels which were viewed through windows in the casing of the machine

Ancient altars, characters, and John Napiers bones
Ancient altars, ark of the covenant, Chinese musical instrument Ching and King, John Napiers calculating bones, and ancient arithmetical characters

Abacus, Bead Calculator, probably 16th century (wood and wire)
AMQ114275 Abacus, Bead Calculator, probably 16th century (wood and wire) by Russian School (16th century); 6.5x9.7 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK; © Ashmolean Museum

Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bonn, Arithmeum, museum of technology, science and art, interior, Burroughs Number 11 adding machine, key detail, 1912

Death by Numbers
Dhruv

Samuel Morland's mechanical calculator in brassware and silver, 1664 (brass)
DEX5040743 Samuel Morland's mechanical calculator in brassware and silver, 1664 (brass) by Unknown Artist, (17th century); Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence

Calculator by Tito Gonnella (born 1794), 1896 (object)
DEX5040748 Calculator by Tito Gonnella (born 1794), 1896 (object) by Italian School, (19th century); Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence

The difference engine of the Babbage Calculating Machine, invented by Charles Babbage in 1822
745842 The difference engine of the Babbage Calculating Machine, invented by Charles Babbage in 1822, made to compute values of polynomial functions

Chinese tradesman calculating with swan-pan, 18th century 1822 (engraving)
7234132 Chinese tradesman calculating with swan-pan, 18th century.. 1822 (engraving) by Alexander, William (1767-1816) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Two Chinese men with an abacus
7239636 Two Chinese men with an abacus by Yoshitora, Utagawa (fl.c.1836-87); Private Collection; (add.info.: After a work published in 1861 by 19th century Japanese artist Utagawa Yoshitora)

Circular Slide Rule, William J. Powell, 1935. Creator: Unknown
During the 1920s William J. Powell led a small group of black air enthusiasts in Los Angeles. He established the Bessie Coleman Flying Club in 1929

Computer, Weems E-1B Navigational. Creator: Weems System of Navigation
White plastic dead reckoning computer used for aerial navigation. The circular computer has three discs for ground speed, mileage and course

Dead reckoning computer owned by Sally Ride. Creator: Telex Communications Inc
This TELEX E-6B dead reckoning computer belonged to Dr. Sally K. Ride. It is a circular slide rule used in aviation for calculating factors such as fuel burn, wind correction, ground speed

The Calculator by Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716)
GIA4817460 The Calculator by Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) by Unknown artist, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Mr Sol Stone, the lightning calculator (b / w photo)
5227049 Mr Sol Stone, the lightning calculator (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Sol Stone, the lightning calculator)

Mr Sol Stone, the lightning calculator (b / w photo)
5227045 Mr Sol Stone, the lightning calculator (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Sol Stone, the lightning calculator)

Original set of Napiers Bones with fitted case and contemporary publication
MFR348319 Original set of Napiers Bones with fitted case and contemporary publication, 1685 (boxwood) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal (1623-62) (wood & metal)
XIR95894 Calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal (1623-62) (wood & metal) by French School, (17th century); Musee du Ranquet, Clermont-Ferrand

Calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal (1623-62) in 1642 (wood & metal)
CHT166621 Calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal (1623-62) in 1642 (wood & metal) by French School, (17th century); CNAM, Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers

Chinese counter ball (Abaco)
GIA4692511 Chinese counter ball (Abaco). by Chinese School; Private Collection; (add.info.: Chinese counter ball (Abaco).); eGiancarlo Costa; Chinese, out of copyright

Portrait of Charles Babbage (1792-1871) 1832 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF136792 Portrait of Charles Babbage (1792-1871) 1832 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal (1623-63) in 1642 (wood and metal)
CHT171359 Calculating machine invented by Blaise Pascal (1623-63) in 1642 (wood and metal) by French School, (17th century); CNAM, Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers

Curtis British Entomology Plate 73
Hymenoptera: Bassus calculator = Microdus calculator (Beautiful Bassus) [Plant: Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry)] Date: 1824-39

Modern Replica of Napiers Bones (boxwood & walnut)
MFR348311 Modern Replica of Napiers Bones (boxwood & walnut) by English School; Private Collection; (add.info.: created by Scottish mathematician John Napier (1550-1617)

Possibly an adding machine and a filing cabinet with small drawers in the office of
MNY380811 Possibly an adding machine and a filing cabinet with small drawers in the office of the Carolyn Laundry at 111 East 128th Street, East Harlem, New York

Felt Calculator: The Comptometer, 1885
GIA4817471 Felt Calculator: The Comptometer, 1885. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Felt Calculator: The Comptometer, 1885.); eGiancarlo Costa; out of copyright

Death of Archimedes of Syracuse (mosaic, 18th century)
LRI4643231 Death of Archimedes of Syracuse (mosaic, 18th century) by Unknown artist, (18th century); StAadel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Book of English Life Tables, 1864 (litho)
3527174 Book of English Life Tables, 1864 (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: These life assurance tables were calculated by the Scheutz Difference Engine No 3)

The General Plan of Mr Babbages Great Calculating Engine, engraved by Bolton
XJF136793 The General Plan of Mr Babbages Great Calculating Engine, engraved by Bolton, printed by Lemercier Bernard & Co (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School

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The calculator has come a long way since its inception in the 1930s at M. I. T. This mechanical marvel, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci's invention, revolutionized mathematical equipment and paved the way for future innovations. Pascals Calculator, an exquisite 17th-century artwork, showcased the beauty of numbers while Samuel Morland's brassware and silver creation mesmerized with its intricate mechanics. But not all calculators were objects of admiration. The bones of John Napier served as ancient altars to numerical mastery, reminding us that even death couldn't escape the grasp of mathematics. Tito Gonnella's calculator from 1896 stands as a testament to human ingenuity during a time when technology was rapidly advancing. One cannot overlook Messrs. Scheutzs New Calculating Machine, which brought Germany into the spotlight as it pushed boundaries in technology, science, and art. Bonn's Arithmeum museum preserves this legacy for generations to appreciate. Perhaps one of the most significant milestones in calculator history was Charles Babbage's difference engine—a masterpiece invented in 1822 that computed polynomial functions with precision. As depicted in The Strand Magazine published in 1896, this calculating machine represented progress and innovation on an unprecedented scale. From humble beginnings at M. I. T. , through replicas inspired by Da Vinci himself and Pascal's artistic flair—calculators have evolved into powerful tools that shape our modern world, and are no longer mere objects but symbols of human curiosity and determination to conquer complex calculations effortlessly. So next time you reach for your pocket-sized device or open a computer program designed for computations—remember the rich history behind these remarkable machines that continue to simplify our lives today.