c/wikipedia · by Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works · 1y

Curta - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curta

The Curta is a hand-held mechanical calculator designed by Curt Herzstark. It is known for its extremely compact design: a small cylinder that fits in the palm of the hand.

66 points · 12 comments · view on lemmy.world

12 Comments

silverchase@sh.itjust.works · 11 pts · 1y (1 reply)

The legendary math grenade

SanctimoniousApe@lemmings.world · 2 pts · 1y

[failed verification]

ilovededyoupiggy@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 1y

If you have a 3d printer you can make your own 3:1 scale Curta Type 1.

Jogni@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y (1 reply)

I actually have one of these! marvelous piece of technology

Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y

Have you taken it apart yet to see how it works...

SanctimoniousApe@lemmings.world · 4 pts · 1y

Would this be the first "pocket calculator?"

Simulation6@sopuli.xyz · 3 pts · 1y (2 replies)

More precise then a slide rule, but much more expensive, I'm sure. My old plastic rule that I used in college, cost around $10.

Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

They were expensive when new.

I got to hold and use one once, friend of a friend had it. It felt so satisfying in my hands.

tal@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 1y

It felt so satisfying in my hands.

!flashlight@lemmy.world has metal cylinders of about that size with knurling too.

hsdkfr734r@feddit.nl · 3 pts · 1y

I like that guy's enthusiasm.

Cliff Stoll on the Curta calculator, Curt Herzstark and where he developed his calculator.

teft@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

The machines have a high curiosity value; in 2016 they sold for around US$1,000, but buyers paid as much as US$1,900 for models in pristine condition with notable serial numbers.

Aw, man. Guess i’m not gonna have a cool math grenade for my desk.

Edit: Here’s a Numberphile video about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDn_DDsBWws

Bags@piefed.social · 2 pts · 1y

One showed up in the glass case of my local Savers somehow last year for ~$800. I was VERY VERY tempted. It was a Type II, with the case, and the finger-loop was intact.

All in all, that's actually a screamin' bargain, but I definitely wasn't in a place to drop $800 +tax on the spot. I thought about it ALL day and the whole next day after, went back after work to buy it, and it was gone. Wasn't meant to be.