Rapid Calculator

This pinwheel calculating machine has nine levers for setting numbers, ten wheels for recording numbers of revolutions of the large drum, and 18 wheels for recording results. The large handle for operating the machine is on the right at the top. The carriage has two zeroing handles. Lifting a movable bar zeros the levers. Depressing a knob at the front releases the carriage. The machine has a wooden base and a black metal cover that fits over it. The base has four rubber feet.

A mark on the front of the machine and on the front of the cover reads: RAPID (/) CALCULATOR. Another mark on the front of the machine reads: MADE IN (/) USA. The serial number, stamped on metal piece on right side and on pencil on wooden piece on inside of cover, is 3805. A mark on the front of the carriage reads: THE RAPID CALCULATOR CO. (/) PHILADELPHIA PENNA. A mark on the back of the case reads: PATENTED (/) THE RAPID CALCULATOR CO. MFRD. (/) PHILADELPHIA PENNA.

Otto P. Schuman (1891–1969) came to the United States from Germany in 1909 and founded the Rapid Calculator Company in 1919. He applied for U.S. patents on calculating machines in 1919 (1,508,257 - granted September 9, 1924 ) and 1924 (1,566,978 - granted December 22, 1925). The clearing mechanism for the entry levers patented in his second patent is used in this machine, hence the date of about 1925.

Many calculating machines were used in insurance companies. This machine was used by actuary John V. Hanna (1892–1982) of the United Life and Accident Insurance Company of Concord, New Hampshire. Hanna joined the company as its actuary in 1921, and became president in 1935. He became chairman of the board in 1955 and retired in 1957. The machine was given to the Smithsonian by Hanna’s son.

Reference:

Accession file.

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