A Very Rare Calculating Machines Collection

Our collection aims to illustrate some of the remarkable advances in the development of instruments and mechanical machines for performing calculations.

The history of instruments and calculating machines can be through a high level approach split in four periods:

- Period 1 From the antique world to the invention of the first calculating machine (Pascal in 1642)

- Period 2 From 1642 to Thomas de Colmar invention, 200 years of strokes of genius

- Period 3 From 1852 , 100 years of calculating machines Industrialization

- Period 4 From the first electronic calculator to today

Our collection covers the third period with more than 450 machines.

The industrial development of Europe improved manufacturing methods and the emergence of new needs due to industrialization.

In 1820, Charles Xavier THOMAS de COLMAR proposed the first solution of industrial mechanical calculation followed by ODHNER and HAMANN. It was also at this time that the Amédée MANNHEIM gave final shape to the slide rule.

In 1891 ODHNER decided to expand production of its machines in Germany. Grimme, Natalis & Co bought his patent to manufacture his devices, the XX century saw a big rise in calculus machines using the ODHNER principle.

The development of electronics in the upcoming years 1960-1970 put a quick end to 400 years of increasing mechanical sophistication.

I graduated as a system engineer.

I started to collect with my wife, calculating machines in 1975.

Our first purchase was a Madas dated 1917.

For now 50 years we have gathered more than 500 calculating machines and calculating
instruments.

We have organised in partneship with University of Mathematics of Brest (France) a five months successful exhibit open to public.

We enjoyed a significant audience and very
positive reactions among the youngest visitors.

Our collection mainly covers the period between 1820 to present. It highlights the period of the industrial development in the world.

Without these calculating machines such development would have never happened.

Today as years keep on adding ; we are looking for a formula where this collection will stay alive which means for us open to public no matter the location could be in the world.