I'm a new collector who has never used a Curta in a profession. I love the look and I love the feel. But I got to thinking about all of you who have been around them for many years. If you could go back in time, what would you change about the Curta? How would it look? What would it be made of? How would if function differently?

I wonder what one would look like if it were made today. Has anyone ever thought of making reproductions?

The Curta is perfect.

The only thing: I never had replaced some of the metal parts with plastic parts (as for the later variations of the Curtas).

Today a mechanical calculating machine wouldn't developed, I think...
Or maybe Tatjana J. van Vark could develope a Curta based calculator...
(link: Tatjana J. van Vark)


[ Encryption unit by Tatjana J. van Vark ]


A reproduction would be nice - you will need all drawings (you recently asked for this...) AND the know how (material, production, specific calibration, lubrication, tools and machines...)
So I think a small series would not be payable...

I am just so darn fascinated by this thing. It makes me want to go to engineering school just so I can learn how make stuff like this. I am really grateful for people who have the ability and patience for this type of thing. I totally want to take mine apart and see all the little pieces. But I know that would be disastrous. I love the poster I have seen of all the parts and it would be really fun to see the engineering diagrams.

I would love to see the Curta in different colors or perhaps even a wood enclosure. Not sure how that would hold up though.

I think you are totally correct about the plastic though. Mine has the two plastic parts and they are the only pieces of the Curta that look at all aged.