Schubert E
The very very last spasms of the handcranked mechanical calculator. Developed at the very end of the 1950's and built starting in 1961, sold from 1963 until 1966,the machine came too late to make a big difference on the market - only 537 machines were built - 30 with a metal housing, 299 with a plastic housing, and another 209 in a second series, of which the last 20 were never completed (according to Reese, Neue Blicke auf alte Maschinen). The machine was too expensive for what it was, and looked too cheap - who would splurge 700 DM ona machine that looked like a cheap toy, while for 100 DM less a metal machine without keys that looked the part and had traditional looks could be had ?
This machine came from the factory inventory, together with 4 more brand new machines - never sold, never used. I won't say it even smells new, but it is very nice indeed - and where will you find another one ? Its serial number is 300185, so it is the 185th machine in the last series of 209 machines, of which the last 20 were never completed. Another machine from the same inventory is featured on rechenmaschinen-illustrated. That is s/n 300188 - quite possibly the very last machine to be completed.
