Retro Tech Tuesday: The Fascinating Pre-Calculator World

You know, in my day, we used a physical calculator to add, not a calculator app on a computer. Okay, so maybe the advances in basic math tabulation have slowed down a bit, but that wasn't the case in the age of the slide rule calculator. Today from the good folks at RetroCalculators.com (who knew!?) we're taking a look at an interesting slide rule / and addiator. (Addiator may be my new favorite word, even if spell check doesn't recognize it as word) I've always been fascinated by the world of mechanical computation, even if I'm often left stupefied by just how it works. This handy little unit stays just on this side of comprehensible. And I'd highly suggest checking out the other cool retro calculators on their site.

Retro Tech Tuesday: Sharp Calculator (LC-8)

And here you thought the iPad was overpriced... Granted, the Sharp LC-8 did give you "all the calculator know-how you'll probably ever need," but at $345 it was definitely a rich man's (or accountant's) best friend only. Now does that 99-cent calculator app seemed overpriced?

Wednesday Website of the Week: RetroCalculators.com

In yesterday's retro tech Tuesday, we showed you how to use an abacus, one of the earliest types of calculator. Well, the video came to us from our selection for the Wednesday Website of the Week: RetroCalculators.com. "Ehh, I'm not into calculators," you say. Well the site isn't filled with LCD marvels from the 70's and 80's. Rather, it gives us glimpses at stunning examples of industrial design, and mechanical genius.

Each model is meticulously detailed, and written in an approachable fashion. It would be a great site for Jonathan Ive if he ever gives up on this whole Mac design thing, and enters the world of standalone calculators. Check it out.

Have a site you want us to consider for site of the week? Contact us!