Origin of modern calculating machines

by J. A. V. Turck

Figure 1

Figure 2

One of the Pascal Machines

The Art of either the calculating machine or the adding-recording machine is not new; it is, as a matter of fact, very old. As before stated, the Art of “accounting machine” dates back to the tenth century, but the first authentic evidence of a working machine is extant in models made by Pascal in 1642 ([see illustration]).

The Pascal Machine

Referring to the illustration, [Fig. 1], of Pascal’s machine on the opposite page, it will be noted that there are a series of square openings in the top of the casing; under these openings are drums, each numbered on its cylindrical surface.

Description of Pascal’s invention

As the machine illustrated was made to figure English currency, the two right-hand wheels are numbered for pence and shillings, while the six wheels to the left are numbered from 1 to 9 and 0 for pounds.