Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-04-29
Webb's Adder.

WeDD'S A0Oer.
We were somewhat startled yesterday
with the information that our enterpris-
ing townsman, Mr.. E. N. Merriam, had in
his store an adder" that was attracting
great attention. We hate snakes, and
upon no consideration could we have been
induced to enter the otherwise attractive
rooms of our friend Merriam, until we
had the most positive assurance that no
spotted reptile was coiled there, and no
forked tongue was to welcome us. We,
however, went and found that the "Adder"
referred to was not snake, but was one
of the most simple and ingenious pieces
of mechanism ever invented, and was in
tended to perform an operation in mathe-
mates that had always been supposed to
require the exercise of the intellect.
This machine is simple combination
of wheels and scales, and will add up and
exhibit the right answer to the longest
columns of figures with rapidity and ac'
curacy, without taxing the mind in the
least with any mental calculation. 1t
consists of two brass wheels, set III
wooden frame, with brass cover, or face
plate. The wheels are Of different sizes,
the larger one being about three and one
half inches in diameter, its circumfer-
enco is divided into one hundred equal
parts, and each numbered from zero TO
ninety-nine inclusive this line of figures
is entirely covered from view by the face
of the machine, except at one side there
is slot through the face that shows the
figures as the wheel revolves; about half
an inch inside of this circle is another
numbering of the parts of the circle in
the same manner, except that the zero is
placed on the same line as 80 on the outer
circle On the line that divides the circle
into parts, and between the two circles of
figures, are small holes drilled in the
wheel for the insertion of a small point.
The face Of the machine about this large
circle is divided into ten equal parts, and
these parts are numbered from zero to
ninety, inclusive, by figures indicating
the tens, as 10, 20, 80 etc; each of these
divisions is subdivided into ten equal
parts, and these subdivisions numbered
blythe units in regular order, the unit
figures being placed in circle on the in
side of the tens circle.
In the end of the machine is brass
L i al I
the first. and divided into fifty equal
parts, each part being numbered with two
circles of figures, from zero to forty-nine,
inclusive, the outer circle of figures being
covered by the face of the machine, as
those on the larger wheel. The edges
Of the wheels run together III such
manner as to show the figures on the
outer edge of both wheels through the
same slot in the face Of the plate. One
fifth of the face, surrounding this small
wheel, l. divided into nine equal parts,
and numbered with the units in their reg
ular series. The machine is 50 geared
upon the inside that each revolution Of
the larger wheel moves the smaller one,
one of its divisions, or one fiftieth of its
circumference. At each point on the face
plate, marked with zero, a stop is placed
which prevents the wheel being turned
farther.
This machine will add two or three
columns at time without any mental
effort on the part of the operator, except
that required for the mere mechanical
process of placing the point of a pencil
upon the figures to be added and turning
the wheel until it is stopped. No atten-
ton is to be paid to anything except the
figures upon the face place, and the b1pdnS
0Dera1td of the addition is as simple as
spinning top. The answer or amount
of the additions is shown by the figures
of the two wheels in view through the
slot in tho face The machine itself is
very simple in its construction, and can
not get out of order until worn out. The
only chance for making mistake Is in
the selection of wrong numbers for adj
dition. and the liability Of such mistakes
"
the wrong figure after making correct
addition by the common mental process.
The adder" is made in three different
STYLES, the first of brass, which costs six
dollars. Tho two others of brass, with
steel gcarings, costing eight or ten dol
lars, according to the finish. 1t is a
patented instrum ent, invented and patent
ed by G. H. Webb, of New York, and is
sold by Mr. f. n Merriam, in this place,
who will be ready to show its operations
to any one, and take the orders of all
those who desire to avail themselves of so
cheap and handy an instrument for max
ing the most common computations of
life.
This 'two wheeled velocipedc Of fig
ures," as the inventor terms it in his cir
cular, encroaches strongly upon the pre-
rogative of brains. 1t performs what has
been supposed to be mental operation.
1t displays the inventive genius of the
human mind; yet, as we look at it, we
wonder almost that we had not thought of
it before. Many, undoubtedly, will re-
gard it as the Irishmap did the stone cut
ting machine. diabolical machine to de-
fraud accountants out of their bread and
butter, and be consoled only with the idea
that the little imp can't vote, still bust
ness men must find it useful and will
very soon regard it as indispensable in
every branch of business where addition
of numbers is required.
PERSONAL. Carl Mietzke, sole
violinist of His Royal Highness the Grand
Due of Mecklenburg Hrelitz, father to
Mr.. Geo. A. Mietzke of this place, will
visit the United States in June. He is q