ORIGINAL ODHNER, 1878
- Inventor
- ODHNER
- Invention date
- 1878
- Manufacturing date
- 1900/1960
- Manufacturing location
- Sweden
- Manufacturer
- ODHNER
- Dimensions
- L34 H11 W14
- Reference Number
- 104/319
History and Functionality
Invented in Russia by the Swede ODHNER, the calculator allows for the four operations.
Multiplication and division are processed by reiteration of additions and subtractions. As in the X. THOMAS de COLMAR machine, this instrument has a movable carriage that carries the result mechanism and the lap counter. The transfer mechanism is a pinwheel type. It is based on a patent filed by ODHNER in 1878.
Industrial production began in 1886 in St Petersburg and only lasted 30 years in this city before the company was nationalized at the beginning of the Russian Revolution in 1917. Production was revived in 1919 in Göteborg, Sweden and then was taken over by FACIT in 1942. Manufacturing lasted 86 years. The ODHNER patent fell into the public domain in 1906. Manufacturers of clones made thousands of machines until late 1970.
France: Dactyle, Vaucanson, Chateau
Germany: Thales, Triumphator, Walther, Brunsviga, Rokli, Melitta, Schubert, Teeztmann, Rema, Demos, Esser, Monopol, Lipsia.
England: Britannic, Muldivo
Sweden: Multo, Facit, Original Odhner
Russia: Felix
Japan: Tiger Busicon
Italy: Antares, Esacta, Everest
Yugoslavia: Zagre
Mexico: Jion, Steelco
UnitedStates: Marchant, Arrow
About The Inventor
Willgodt Theophil Odhner (1845-1905), a Swedish engineer and inventor, is best known for his invention of the "Original Odhner," one of the most iconic mechanical calculators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Odhner's life story is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and the pursuit of practical solutions to complex problems.
Born in Dalby, Sweden, Odhner showed an early interest in mechanics and engineering. His journey as an inventor began in earnest after moving to Russia, where he settled in St. Petersburg. This vibrant city, brimming with industrial activity, provided the ideal backdrop for Odhner's inventive aspirations.
In St. Petersburg, Odhner took up employment in a machine shop, where he was able to apply and expand his mechanical skills. It was during this period that he began to conceptualize a new design for a mechanical calculator. Odhner's vision was to create a device that was simpler, more reliable, and more affordable than the existing calculators of that time, which were often cumbersome and expensive.
The culmination of Odhner's efforts was the "Original Odhner" calculator. Introduced in the late 19th century, this device was revolutionary for its simplicity and efficiency. It featured a novel pinwheel design, which Odhner patented in 1890. This design allowed for easier and more accurate calculations, making it a valuable tool for businesses, scientists, and educators.
Beyond the technical brilliance of the Original Odhner, what stood out was Odhner's dedication to making calculating machines more accessible to a wider audience. His design significantly reduced the cost of production, enabling more people to benefit from this technological advancement.
Odhner's impact on the field of mechanical calculating devices was profound. His invention not only changed the landscape of computational tools but also inspired a multitude of similar devices, making the pinwheel mechanism a standard in mechanical calculator design for decades to come.
Odhner passed away in 1905, but his legacy lived on through the continued production and evolution of the Original Odhner calculators. His invention remained popular well into the 20th century, a testament to the enduring nature of his innovative design.
