ca 1929 electric Calculating Machine badged by Herzstark, Vienna but in essence a Badenia Model TE 13 Duplex #6549.

One of the early models of electric pushbutton calculators mass produced. About 36 x 32 x 18 cm, Serial No. 6549 (see photo), about 13 kg in weight. Remarkably the engine is still running properly and the machine is working beautifully. The upper part of the machine is hinged (see photo), allowing one to view the visually beautiful original condition with brass interior.

In the last years of his company Samuel Jakob Herzstark, father of Curt Herzstark the eventual inventor of the Curta, no longer developed calculators on his own, but instead developed an alliance with Peerless/Badenia Company. The cooperation between Herzstark and Bauerle ran between 1923 and 1938 according to rechenmaschinen-illustrated.com and Martin Reese. Apparently the machines were exported as parts to Austria, and put together there - and this looks like a standard Badenia.

This calculator is thus a product emanating from, but not designed or built by the Herzstark company just before it ceased operation.1

Essentially this is a key operated step drum arithmometer with an engine attached in place of a crank handle. However, there are improvements. This has two registers (duplex) which can be switched between to enable complex chains of operations. Perhaps even more significantly on the right side is a column of digit keys from 1 to 9 enabling a number to multiplied up to 9 times through a single press of the “Enter” lever.

Note the instruction to keep slide clean and oiled, and to oil the motor every 4–6 weeks. Nothing else is to be oiled.

 

1 thanks to Reinmar Wochinz and Cris for notes on provenance (↑)


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