The Curta.org Bulletin Board

[Rubberswan]

Hi all,

A question for you (I know the answer!)

The calculators in the photograph below were all available on the UK market in 1966:



They numbers next to the machines identify them respectively as:

1) Brunsviga 13RK
2) Precisa 117
3) Muldivo Mentor (a.k.a. Walther WSR160)
4) ADM (a.k.a. Schubert DRV)
5) Curta Type 1

The numbers 1 to 5 are NOT randomly allocated. This being the case, why do you think the machines are numbered in the order given?

(I'll wait a few days before I give the answer if no-one gets it!)

Best Regards

John
_________________
Curta 1 - 61153
Curta 2 - 508965

[murff]

not the registers
1) 10 x 8 x 13
2) 9 x 8 x 13
3) 10 x 8 x 16
4) 10 x 8 x 13
5) 8 x 6 x 11

nor the weight
1) 8160g
2) 6900g
3) 4650g
4) 5515g
5) 230g


_________________
:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[Rubberswan]

And here's the answer you've all been waiting for:

(and thanks to murff for trying...)

Believe it or not, the numbers are in order of descending 1966 price.

1) Brunsviga 13RK - £63 Sterling
2) Precisa 117 - £56 5s
3) Muldivo Mentor - £49 10s
4) ADM Teacher - £45
5) Curta Type I - £34

These prices were those available to schools, and included "a manufacturer's educational reduction, and a Board of Trade remission of import duty". So the retail prices would have been a bit higher across the board, but would have been in approximately the same order - unless some manufacturers were more heavily discounted than others.

A decent Muldivo Mentor can be bought today for £20. Curtas are a tad more expensive....
_________________
Curta 1 - 61153
Curta 2 - 508965

[davhamm]

Dang I was going to guess price, as I just read this thread. A day late and dollar short.