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The “Schnellkalulator System Bloch” is an unusual device first patented in 1919 and produced over the next few years. It utilises an approach to evaluating mathematical formulae known as “nomography”. This is a graphical technique which, having established several parameters in the equation allows one to evaluate the final result.

Very few of these devices seem to have survived and indeed the author knows of nine Bloch Schnellkalulators in Collections although there may of course be more.

Very few of these devices seem to have survived and indeed the author knows of nine Bloch Schnellkalulators in Collections although there may of course be more.

Very few of these devices seem to have survived and indeed the author knows of only six Bloch Schnellkalulators in Collections although there may of course be more.

Very few of these devices seem to have survived and indeed the author knows of only six in collections? although there may of course be more.

Very few of these devices seem to have survived and indeed the author knows of only six in collections? although there may of course be more. On the issue of dating, we can identify that serial numbers 327 and serial number 478 (mentioned by Rudowski) are stamped “DRPa” (Deutsches Reichs-Patent applied for) whereas serial number 1049 (sold by Antikma.de in 2011) is stamped DRP (with the patent now approved). All subsequent serial numbers including 1144, the present Calculant object (serial number 2178), one owned by Rudowski (serial number 3211) and serial number 3318 are stamped DRP. One designed for the French market (serial number 6197 and sold by Wormel on ebay in June 2012) is clearly much later. One other was sold on ebay in 2008 but details are not yet available.

Assuming a reasonably slow startup in demand, assuming that production began when the first patent was applied for (since it cannot be earlier), and knowing that the patent was granted in 1922 gives as a guess the table below which is at best suggestive of a date for this machine (Nr 2178) of around 1924–6

This particular device quite cleverly implements nomographic principles in a mechanical apparatus to calculate the cutting time required required in turning metal in a machine tool by evaluating the formula involved. An article by Werner H. Rudowski explains clearly how this is done.²

Very few of these devices seem to have survived and indeed the author knows of only six in collections although there may of course be more. On the issue of dating, we can identify that serial numbers 327 and serial number 478 (mentioned by Rudowski) are stamped “DRPa” (Deutsches Reichs-Patent applied for) whereas serial number 1049 (sold by Antikma.de in 2011) is stamped DRP (with the patent now approved). All subsequent serial numbers including 1144, the present Calculant object (serial number 2178), one owned by Rudowski (serial number 3211) and serial number 3318 are stamped DRP. One designed for the French market (serial number 6197 and sold by Wormel on ebay in June 2012) is clearly much later. One other was sold on ebay in 2008 but details are not yet available.

Assuming a reasonably slow startup in demand the table below is at best suggestive of a date for this machine (Nr 2178) of around 1924–6

This particular device quite cleverly implements nomographic principles in a mechanical apparatus to calculate the cutting time required required in turning metal in a machine tool by evaluating the formula involved. A paper The Schnellkalulator System Bloch explaining how this is done was published by Werner H. Rudowski.³ Very few of these devices seem to have survived.

¹ Werner H. Rudowski, “The Schnellkalkulator ‘System Bloch’ ”, The Journal of the Oughtred Society, vol. 14, no. 1, spring 2005, pp. 46–52 (↑)

² Werner H. Rudowski, “The Schnellkalkulator ‘System Bloch’ ”, The Journal of the Oughtred Society, vol. 14, no. 1, spring 2005, pp. 46–52 (↑)

³ Werner H. Rudowski, “The Schnellkalkulator ‘System Bloch’ ”, The Journal of the Oughtred Society, vol. 14, no. 1, spring 2005, pp. 46–52 (↑)

http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Bloch1.jpg

The “Schnellkalulator System Bloch” is an unusual device first patented in 1919 and produced over the next few years. It utilises an approach to evaluating mathematical formulae known as “nomography”. This is a graphical technique which, having established several parameters in the equation allows one to evaluate the final result.

This particular device quite cleverly implements nomographic principles in a mechanical apparatus to calculate the cutting time required required in turning metal in a machine tool by evaluating the formula involved. A paper The Schnellkalulator System Bloch explaining how this is done was published by Werner H. Rudowski in the Journal of the Oughtred Society, vol. 14, no. 1, spring 2005, pp. 46–52. Very few of these devices seem to have survived.