Melitta Calculator, 1940's

This fine calculator comes from Germany, where it was manufactured in the 1940s. It is a solid, functional and smart piece that works perfectly and can perform all the arithmetic operations with complete reliability. The machine has a black-enameled iron frame with the digits engraved in the metal and painted in white and red. It has also some silvery metal mobile parts, shiny black bakelite handles and a metal rod with decimal pointers in bright red plastic. All this details turn it into a singularly interesting piece, with all the charm of vintage calculators from the first half of the 20th century.At the top of the machines and to the left of the bars we can see the brand name Melitta engraved in capital white-enameled letters. Melitta calculators are pinwheel machines based on the Odhner system, and were produced by Mercedes from 1926. These calculators were simultaneously commercialized by Walther under this name. After II World War both factories were destroyed though they both restarted the manufacturing after the war: Walther re-established in Western Germany while Melitta opened its doors again in East Germany under the control of the government.This calculators attractive look is mainly due to its sturdy and reliable design. Differently from other similar models, in this case the result boxes are located under the digit bars. On the left side of the machine we can see the bell that rings when the user turns the crank in order to obtain the operation result; this crank is attached to the right side. At the back there is a label with a hand-written number (04/1) and a metal plate with the factorys name, the model and the serial number: FORTUNA-WERK VEB Suhl/Thüringen MOD V/16 nº 83909.The attractive solidity of its conception and its charming vintage look turn this calculator into a collectors piece, perfect to decorate the desk or the bookcase of any elegant study.Measurements: Width: 280 mm. Height: 130 mm.