[GreenKeys] OT: Mechanical Adding Machines

[acti at provide.net]

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.