Rare 1964 Vintage Curta Type 1 Mechanical Calculator With Case number 10315, the "Curta", a hand-held mechanical calculator that can calculate basic arithmetic functions, was invented by Curt Herzstark.
Resembling a compact coffee or pepper grinder, this remarkable device boasted high precision and could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Operated by sliding levers on its side to set digits and a top handle turned clockwise, the Curta was capable of fitting in the palm of one's hand. In the accompanying images, a Curta is depicted with the value "012345789" configured on its side levers. The digits displayed in the black area atop the calculator represented the accumulator, storing the ongoing result. Conversely, the digits in the white area represented the counter, indicating the number of crank revolutions.
Each turn of the crank incremented the counter (displayed in the white area) and added "12345789" to the accumulator (displayed in the black area). A ring mechanism was utilized to clear both the accumulator and counter.
In 1946 Curt was able to register a continuing patent on the invention in Vienna, but to begin mass production it was necessary to find funding. He tried unsuccessfully to raise money until he was invited to the palace of the Prince of Lichtenstein who offered to fund the production of the calculator. The production of the "Curta", based on the plans completed in Buchenwald, commenced in 1949.
The "Curta" was produced until 1972, when it was superseded by the electronic calculator.
4.33"L x 2.17"W
