Fantastic Antique Thales A1 Calculator with Original Cover. Germany, 1912

Beautiful antique Thales A1 calculator made in Germany in the early 20th century (1912). This machine is original from the time and works mechanically. It is in good condition though it shows some slight sign of the trace of time and use, such as the small worn detail located at the left front side of the metal case. Nevertheless these details are signs of the past life of the machine, providing it with personality. On the other hand, the calculator is well preserved and works fine it can reliably perform the four basic arithmetic operations. At the front of the machine, to the left of the digit levers we can see the Thales logo clearly printed in white lettering. Thales was founded by Emil Schubert, a foreman of Triumphator-Werke, together with L. Haberer. They started a business in 1911 to produce their own pinwheel calculators under Thales market name. The calculators were a big success thanks to Max Mueller, a businessman that was later forced to leave the company after being found guilty of embezzlement. In 1936, after the Soviet government forced him to leave his company without taking his patents, Schubert founded a new company to produce calculators under his own name. In 1946 Mueller came back to take control of the Thales-Werke in Rastatt; their calculators kept on being produced until the late 60s. The calculator that we can see in the images is a good example of Emil Schuberts quality design. All its component parts are original and work fine. The chromed-metal pieces are in good condition and so is the cranks handle, made of bone-colored bakelite. At the back of the machine we can see an antique green sticker with the companys name, while behind the bottom carriage there is a serial number engraved in the metal: 10519. The calculator stands on a solid oak wooden plank that can be attached to the beautiful wooden case via the original lock and key. This pinwheel calculator is a wonderful turn-of-the-century machine whose accuracy and reliability are still flawless.