the curta calculator
by Alex Dobrenko · updated 5mo ago
the curta calculator
"Curious History Pocket Calculator"
The document discusses the history and features of the Curta calculator, an innovative mechanical pocket calculator invented by Curt Herzstark during his time in a concentration camp.
by Cliff Stoll
Alex Dobrenko added 5mo ago
(PDF) The Curta, a Technical Marvel
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
1/? the (abridged) story of Curt Herzstark, the brilliant Viennese engineer who invented an incredibly complex handheld mechanical calculator in the Buchenwald concentration campAlex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
- Now comes... the CURTA comes in for the first time, no? I knew how in principle to build a machine for the hand in 1938. Naturally the moment that Hitler came all of this was put aside. First, we were not allowed to build any more calculating machines. Secondly, I said to myself, this is a living for me perhaps if I emigrate or something. Aside fro... See more
from An Interview with Curt Herzstark by Curt Herzstark
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
- There was a will from 1913 and my parents each left everything to the other partner so that there could be no dispute. This will was still in existence but my mother did not want to use it. Instead she suggested, "You get the factory and your brother Ernst, will get the cinema and I will receive a pension from each of you." That was '37, '38 and we... See more
from An Interview with Curt Herzstark by Curt Herzstark
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
and then, the nazis.
- Already in 1926-27 while I was in sales, people said again and again, "Yes, that is nice, but isn't there anything smaller?" This was a time when there was a lot of advertising of the calculating machine. Everyone who was a technician, carried his slide rule. But for calculating, the equivalent didn't exist. People again and again said, "Does somet... See more
from An Interview with Curt Herzstark by Curt Herzstark
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
his approach to designing the calculator - look at everything backwards .
this whole story exists by looking backwards - we look back in time to find him and his story.
broadly, ideas around time and progress seem to be perking up again and again - HERZSTARK: Yes, we had our basic four function machines. This machine, our machine, could automatically multiply and divide. But we did not produce large numbers of machines because we did not have the capital. We also had electric machines of which we produced about 10-12 in a month. Then we had the Astra to sell and then, of course, the Multisumm... See more
from An Interview with Curt Herzstark by Curt Herzstark
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
so interesting to think of the calculator as replacing human labor —> nice way to connect this all to our present moment.
the royal family of Liechtenstein invested in Herzstark after WWII
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
the phrase number crunching comes from how old calculators used to work
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
- the Curta hit the world market in 1949 selling for US$125 through mail order and in a handful of specialty shops. It was a lot of money in those days, but the Curta was still a hit with engineers, traveling accountants, pilots, and even rally drivers. In the end, 150,000 of them were built in two models over the course of 20 years. It also gained a... See more
from Curta calculator: The mechanical marvel born in a Nazi death camp by David Szondy
Alex Dobrenko added 6mo ago
hahaha most of the servicing requests came from people taking their Curtas apart to see how they worked