23 Apr
2004
23 Apr
'04
7:10 a.m.
I have an early 1950's Victor electric (mechanical) calculator
with a typing robot attached, eg. 12 solenoids to push the keys
(100V about 200 mA!). It was built by the Los Alamos Scientific
Lab. I don't think it was used for calculating per se, but as
a data logger/printer.
I haev one of those. It came off a data logging system, I forget what the
system was used for, but it was some custom thing, either electron
microscope or crystallography related. I also got the paper tape punch
and reader (mechanically the same as the units from a Friden Flexowriter,
but mounted on rack panels and each has its own motor on the back), and
the control sequencer (all discrete transsitors, patchboard
'programmable', with DM160 indicator valves to show the current state).
I am pretty sure (based on the components used) that my units were
European in origin. Perhaps the printer was actually a standard unit.
It's a Victor Comptometer calculator with solenoids fitted over the keys
and a metal cover fitted over the solenoids -- there are no keys left for
the user to press. The solenoids are not user-removable, although the
whole assembly comes off fairly easily with a screwdriver.
Anyway, I thought it was quite an interesting find.
-tony