The Adder
A small (but heavy) machine, that doesn't quite fit into the collection, because it is not a four-function calculator - it is a simple ten-key adder, like the Adix. It is however, much more solidly built, and also functions a lot better (and it has a reset key, which early version of the Adix is missing). Negative points are the tendency of the paper strips with printed numbers that are wrapped around the result wheels to disintegrate. An example of that is right below - luckily the pieces fall to the bottom of the machine, where they can be retrieved.
So I managed to photoshop new and updated versions, with the browning due to aging removed. I kept it a bit yellow though, to not entirely be out of character with the rest of the machine.
A few years after the fact, it as brought to my attention that the leftmost strip should of course count up to 19 instead of two iterations of 0-9. That makes a lot of sense, but it never occured to me. To make up for it, I made an updated version, downloadable by clicking the image above, that the new owner of this machine can print out and use for the leftmost numeral wheel.
The bottom of the machine contains the serial number (946), and the 1902 UK patent N° 24868 upon which it is based - but I had no luck retrieving the patent by that number. It turns out it needs the year of application in front of these early numbers, so it can be found by GBP190224686. One of the rubber feet of the machine is missing.
Noteworthy is that the numbers on the keys are filled in in red instead of the customary white, and this appears to have been original. It gives a machine a sinister image - together with the ominous snake (yes, yes, adder - adder, I get it ...) on the cover it can't really have been too good for sales. The fact that it was essentially a cheap machine that was built in an absolutely bulletproof manner, at a substantial cost, can't have helped either.
In any case, despite the fact that is looks like an adorable tiny squid, the machine is for sale at the right price, as it has no place in my collection.
