Looking for a museum to donate a collection of mechanical calculators
19 views
Skip to first unread message
Cliff Stoll
Sep 25, 2025, 2:24:38 PMSep 25
to oldcalcul...@googlegroups.com, Cliff Stoll
Hi calculator collectors!
A good friend of mine has rebuilt about 100 to 200 mechanical calculators -- an impressive collection including a Millionaire, Facit, Ohdner, Marchants, Bohn, Monroe, Victor, Brunsviga, etc. Also, some slide rules, aritmometers, a few old telephones.
He has lovingly restored each of these to original working condition; he's meticulously documented exactly step of the way. Each calculator is a beautiful artifact from years past.
He's asked me to find a place that can accept this collection. He doesn't want the collection split up or sold on eBay; I suspect that he would be happy to donate it to a museum.
Stored in cabinets, the collection occupies a room of about 20 square meters (~200 square feet).
These are all working condition, but should not "played with" ... most mechanical calculators will jam or break if public visitors randomly turn cranks or push buttons. So much of the collection will probably have to be displayed behind glass.
Do you know of a museum, college, or institution which would preserve and curate this collection?
Many thanks !
-Cliff Stoll klein...@kleinbottle.com <mailto:klein...@kleinbottle.com>
Oakland, California USA
A good friend of mine has rebuilt about 100 to 200 mechanical calculators -- an impressive collection including a Millionaire, Facit, Ohdner, Marchants, Bohn, Monroe, Victor, Brunsviga, etc. Also, some slide rules, aritmometers, a few old telephones.
He has lovingly restored each of these to original working condition; he's meticulously documented exactly step of the way. Each calculator is a beautiful artifact from years past.
He's asked me to find a place that can accept this collection. He doesn't want the collection split up or sold on eBay; I suspect that he would be happy to donate it to a museum.
Stored in cabinets, the collection occupies a room of about 20 square meters (~200 square feet).
These are all working condition, but should not "played with" ... most mechanical calculators will jam or break if public visitors randomly turn cranks or push buttons. So much of the collection will probably have to be displayed behind glass.
Do you know of a museum, college, or institution which would preserve and curate this collection?
Many thanks !
-Cliff Stoll klein...@kleinbottle.com <mailto:klein...@kleinbottle.com>
Oakland, California USA
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages