Warren Experimental Calculating Machine Model
date: label: date made
content: 1874
notes: label: Description
content: This is the second version of Warren’s calculating machine. Across the front is a brass rod with ten large teeth, one shorter one, and a hollow brass cylinder. Between the teeth are ten levers that link to toothed segments at the back of the machine. The front and back are open; the sides are of a ferrous metal painted black. At the top is a hollow brass rod, mounted across the machine, which has two brass circular structures on it. This is used as a plunger to activate the mechanism. Brass rods with large teeth extend from both sides of the back. There also is a ferrous piece in the shape of a large comb that is attached to the top back of the piece. The machine appears incomplete.
label: Description
content: There are no maker’s marks.
label: Description
content: Compare MA.311938 and MA.311939.
label: Description
content: According to L. Leland Locke, Warren was a teacher, itinerant photographer and then watchmaker by trade. His invention was inspired by his reading about Charles Babbage’s difference engine in 1864. He designed his machines to demonstrate what might be done with machinery, not for sale. A more complete form of the machine, which was exhibited after Warren’s death, is now in the collections of the Michigan State University Museum.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: L. Leland Locke, “The Warren Calculating Engine,” <I>Business Equipment Topics</I>, October, 1931, vol. 79, pp. 8, 9. 48, 49.
label: Description
content: "Home and Foreign Gossip," <I>Harper’s Weekly</I>, May 22, 1875, vol. 19 #960, p. 423.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Michigan, Three Oaks
topic: label: Subject
content: Mathematics
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Mathematics
label: See more items in
content: Calculating Machines
label: See more items in
content: Science & Mathematics
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of L. Leland Locke
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: MA.311939
label: catalog number
content: 311939
label: accession number
content: 155183
objectType: label: Object Name
content: calculating machine
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: ferrous metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: brass (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 18.2 cm x 66.3 cm x 30.2 cm; 7 5/32 in x 26 3/32 in x 11 7/8 in