Mathematon Calculating Machine

This full-keyboard, non-printing calculating machine has a metal frame painted black, with metal handles on each side. The nine columns of color-coded black and white digit keys each have a red clearance key at the bottom. To the right of the keyboard is a red plastic key that clears the entire keyboard; to the left is a red DIS key. Between the columns are metal rods painted green on one side and white on the other to serve as decimal markers. The keyboard is painted green. Above the keyboard nine number dials show a number set up on the keyboard.

Behind the keyboard is a carriage with a 17-dial result register and eight dial revolution counter. Right of the registers are clearance levers. Rods above both registers carry decimal markers. Thumbscrews set up numbers on the result register. A crank at the front of the machine may be intended to move the carriage.

The machine fits closely in a metal base, painted black, that carries the motor. This base has a box at the front with a small window and a lever. On the left it has ten digit keys arranged in four rows. It carries subtraction, addition, and multiplication bars at the front.

The machine is marked on the front right and on the back: MATHEMATON. It is marked on the left of the carriage: ALBERT F. LYONS (/) N.E. DISTRIBUTOR (/) BOSTON-MASS. It is marked on the left of the base: 4680. It is marked on the left: 21164. It is marked on a tag attached to the left : Patented in U.S.A. (/) July 2, 1926. Jan. 19, 1928. (/) June 9, 1927. Jan. 21, 1931. (/) Aug. 9, 1927. Febr.23, 1932. (/) Patented in Germany, Great Britain, France, (/) Italy and other foreign countries. A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #252. It is marked on the right side of the carriage: Made in Germany.

On Feb. 23, 1932, August Kottmann took out U.S. patent 1,846,207 for a calculating machine and assigned it to Rheinische Mettallwaaren und Maschinenfabrik Soemmerda Aktiengesellschaft in Soemmerda, Germany. Other dates listed on the machine are not easily associated with U.S. calculating machine patents. A. Kottmann took out U.S. patents relating to calculating machines Sept. 7, 1927, Nov. 1, 1927, and Feb. 10, 1931, which he assigned to Rheinische. H. Schmidt took out a U.S. patent relating to calculating machines May 1, 1928, which he assigned to Rheinische. The dates listed on the tag on the machine may correspond to foreign patents for these inventions.

This example was model #252 in the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.

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