Origin of modern calculating machines — John Shaqi
Origin of modern calculating machinesTurck, J. A. V.
History
Origin of modern calculating machines
Turck, J. A. V.
Calculators
Theoretically, it would seem that the only feature or element lacking
in the Art prior to 1886, to produce a real key-driven calculator was
means that would control the carrying and also leave the carried wheel
free for key actuation. It was, however, quite a different problem.
Theoretical functions may be patched together to make a theoretical
machine; but that is only theory and not the concrete.
[Sidenote: _All but one of the generic elements solved_]
To take fragmental parts of such machines as were disclosed in the Art
and patch them together into anything practical was impossible, even
if one had been familiar with the Art and could devise mechanism to
supply the new element. That is, leaving aside the broad or generic
theoretical elements, which today, from knowledge gained by later
inventions, serve the make-up of a key-driven calculator, there was
still lacking any concrete example or specific design of a whole
machine, as there was no such machine disclosed in the drawings of
patents, or any known mechanism which, if arranged in multiples, would
be operative as a practical machine even if mechanism to supply the new
element were to be added.
In other words, while it is conceded from our present knowledge that
all but one of the generic theoretical elements had been solved as
disclosed in the various before-named machines, it required the
application of these elements in a different way from anything before
disclosed; which in itself required a different concrete form of the
generic principles for the whole machine as well as a generic form of
invention covering the new theoretical element.
It may be easy to analyze that which exists, but quite a different
story to conceive that which did not exist. With reference to the Art,
however, the production of the new element is a feature that may be
credited without question. The concrete does not enter into it other
than as proof that a new feature has been created.
[Sidenote: _Originality of inventions_]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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