Steampunk Calculator

This steampunk themed calculator uses the incredible properties of the differential gear to mechanically add two numbers. This elegant design incorporates the mechanical workings of the calculator into the steampunk aesthetic. This model uses scientific principles and mathematical equations for mechanical components such as the differential gear which averages the rotation of two inputs A and B and outputs them in an output C. Here’s the equation relating the two inputs to the output of a differential: (A+B)/2=C.

To make the output wheel be exactly the sum of the two input wheels the output wheel was made with twice as many numbers on it making the equation A+B=C.

Nowadays, people can use electronic calculators, but this is a fun and interesting model that demonstrates how calculators would have worked before electricity. This simple, yet clever mechanism dates back to the 1600’s and even before this, the ancient Greeks were using the differential gear in the Antikythera mechanism.