Curta
Mechanical pocket calculator / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For other uses, see Curta (disambiguation).
The Curta is a hand-held mechanical calculator designed by Curt Herzstark.[1] It is known for its extremely compact design: a small cylinder that fits in the palm of the hand. It was affectionately known as the "pepper grinder" or "peppermill" due to its shape and means of operation; its superficial resemblance to a certain type of hand grenade also earned it the nickname "math grenade".[2]
Quick Facts Type, Manufacturer ...
Type | Mechanical calculator |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Contina AG Mauren |
Introduced | 1948 (Type I) 1954 (Type II) |
Discontinued | 1972 |
Date invented | 1930s |
Invented by | Curt Herzstark |
Cost | $125 (Type I) $165 (Type II) |
Calculator | |
Precision | 11 digits (Type I) 15 digits (Type II) |
Display type | Mechanical counter |
Display size | 6-digit revolution counter, 11-digit result counter (Type I) 8-digit revolution counter, 15-digit result counter (Type II) |
Other | |
Weight | 230g (Type I) 360g (Type II) |
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Curtas were considered the best portable calculators available until they were displaced by electronic calculators in the 1970s.[1]