See more objects with the tag green, mechanical, calculation, mathematics.

Object Timeline

1948

  • Work on this object began.

1958

  • Work on this object ended.

1970

1986

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2017

2018

2025

  • You found it!

DRV Pinwheel Calculator

This is a Pinwheel Calculator. It was manufactured by Schubert. It is dated ca. 1953 and we acquired it in 1986. Its medium is enameled metal, molded plastic. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

The pinwheel calculator, invented in the 1870s, had circular discs, or pinwheels, with nine retractable pins. A side lever could expose anywhere from 0 to 9 pins, and therefore when coupled to a counter the pinwheels could, with each rotation, add a number from 0 to 9 to the result. This simple and reliable machine was capable of all four arithmetic functions. This model DRV calculator facilitated one-handed operation, with all of the controls located on the right-hand side.

This object was donated by Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor. It is credited Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.

  • Calculator
  • Overall: 11.2 x 31.8 x 15 cm (4 7/16 x 12 1/2 x 5 7/8 in.).
  • Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
  • 1986-99-21
  • Logos 59 Calculator
  • molded plastic, metal.
  • Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
  • 1986-99-1
  •

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

Overall: 13.5 x 29.5 x 15.9 cm (5 5/16 x 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.)

It has the following markings

DRV 55K 115/ Made in Germany

Cite this object as

DRV Pinwheel Calculator; Manufactured by Schubert; Germany; enameled metal, molded plastic; Overall: 13.5 x 29.5 x 15.9 cm (5 5/16 x 11 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.); Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor; 1986-99-22

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Bob Greenberg Selects.

The Conservation department has taken one photo of this object.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18621831/ |title=DRV Pinwheel Calculator |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>