Curta Demo Kit. 1955

Very rare and exclusive Curta Demo kit, a set of elements and component parts in their original case manufactured by the mechanic-calculator Curta factory for their sales force. The kit makes it possible to show how Curta calculators operate in order to sell them to retailers. It comes from Germany and is dated in 1955; it is a real museum piece passionately searched for by collectors. It is such a rare item that we believe there are only 25 kits like this; it seems that Curta made just one kit for each country where they sold their calculators. The kit we can see in the images is complete and in great condition, and seems to have belonged to a person who sold Curta calculators in Madrid in the 1950s and 60s. The kit is composed of a case-less calculator and the different component parts that make up the mechanism, separately organized. The components are incredibly delicate and precise and remain in a truly awesome condition. The black plastic looks shiny and even, and the metal is polished and with no traces of rust. Each component part is stored in its own compartment inside the case; this is a fine box covered by light-green leather outside and with the metal locks in good condition. Inside, the case bears light-green velvet lining very well preserved too. The case looks great; engraved in the leather we can see the following inscription in silvery lettering: inscripción CORTINA AG MAUREN / Liechtenstein (Zollunion Schweiz). This amazing Curta Demo kit is almost a unique piece for its rare condition, its quality and its striking condition. It is an exclusive item that any collector of mechanical antiques will long to own.Curta Calculators History Curta calculators are mechanical machines with a simple and intellgent design, fully reliable. Until the arrival of electronic calculators in the 1970s, Curta machines were the most popular of all. Their design resulted from the talent of Curtz Herztark, an Austrian inventor with Jewish ancestry who found inspiration in Leibnizs arithmometer and Charles Thomass calculating machine.They are compact and cylindrical in shape, light and easy to carry: the can be hidden in the palm of the hand. Curtz Herztark developed the first Curta calculator in Vienna in 1903, but he did not patent his invention until 1938. That year, the Nazis forced him and his company to produce war material for their army. In 1943 Herztark was taken to Buchenwald concentration camp where he was encouraged to keep on with this calculator in order to give it to Hitler as a present to celebrate the Nazi victory in World War II. Nevertheless, in 1945 the American forces liberated the prisoners of Buchenwald and soon after Herztark founded his own calculator factory. Some years later, fearing that the Soviet government sent him to Russia, he moved to Austria. Curta kept on producing calculators for decades; Curtz Herztark always profited from the sales of his products until the 1970s, when electronic machines replaced mechanical calculators.