Thomas De Colmar's Arithmometer, c 1870., with detachable lid

Thomas De Colmar's Arithmometer, c 1870., with detachable lid Thomas De Colmar's Arithmometer, c 1870., with detachable lid Thomas De Colmar's Arithmometer, c 1870., with detachable lid

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum, London|UCL

Arithmometer calculating machine with detachable lid by Thomas de Colmar, no.2034

Thomas De Colmar arithmoneter with detachable lid, no. 2034, 1880-1900. Charles X Thomas de Colmar invented his 'arithmometer' in 1820, which became the first commercially successful calculating machine in the 1860s. It could be used for addition, subtraction, division and mulitiplication. The mechanism was based on the stepped reckoner invented by Liebniz (1646-1716). Machines of this type were made well into the 20th century.

Details

Category:
Mathematics
Object Number:
1967-69
type:
calculating machine (stepped drum)
credit:
University College, London

Parts

Calculating machine (arithmometer), Paris, France, 1880-1900

Arithmometer by Thomas de Colmar, no.2034

More

Invented by Charles Xavier Thomas de Colmar (1785-1870) around 1820, the arithmometer was the first commercially produced calculating machine. Machines like this one were used to compile health statistics and population figures. The machine could perform basic functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and was in use until the First World War.

Object Number:
1967-69 Pt1
type:
arithmometer
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Lid for arithmometer calculating machine by Thomas de Colmar

Lid for arithmometer calculating machine by Thomas de Colmar

Lid for arithmometer calculating machine by Thomas de Colmar, no.2034

Object Number:
1967-69 Pt2
type:
instrument case (calculating machine)
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum