Rare MADAS Calculator with Numeric Keypad. Switzerland - USA, 1913

Amazing rare MADAS calculator in very good condition, with input keyboard and in excellent working order. This calculator comes from USA and was manufactured in Switzerland in 1913: it is a real collectors piece that includes an input keyboard instead the classic levers. It comes with the original metal cover and provides all the functions: it makes it possible to perform the four basic arithmetic operations and includes the automatic division function. The machine is in quite good condition and shows only slight signs of wear at the corners, small flaws that are scarcely relevant. The inner mechanism is protected by a metal-sheet casing, with a fine black and emerald-green enameled finish. To the left we can see the brand name MADAS and the country where the model was commercialized, USA. Under these inscriptions there is a golden metal plate with the embossed manufacturing companys name, H.W. EGLI A.G., located in Switzerland. We can also see the serial number Nº 11828 slightly worn. The input keyboard is composed of black and bone-white keys disposed on a green background. They are all in perfect working order and it is a real pleasure to use the calculator to perform any operation. The black-enameled metal cover that protects the calculator bears a central brand logo inspired in the Swiss flag. Inside it contains an original instruction leaflet in German. For its original quality and amazing working order, this rare MADAS calculator will stand out in a collection of turn-of-the-century machines.MADAS Calculators - History MADAS calculators were created by a Company founded in Munich in 1893 by the Swiss engineer H.W. Egli. In 1881, Egli returned to his fatherland and opened a workshop in the center of Zurich, which would later move to the suburbs. His aim was to develop and commercialize a computing machine, which he accomplished in 1896. For the first time ever, a direct-multiplication calculating machine could be produced commercially: it was the birth of the Millionaire, a real sale success produced by H.W. Egli A.G. Though, this was quite a heavy and difficult-to-carry machine; in 1908 the need of manufacturing lighter and smaller calculators started to become evident. In 1911 the company begins to work in a new design whose production started in 1914 under the MADAS brand name (an acronym which means Multiplication Automatic Division Addition Subtraction). Until 1912 different models were launched and they coexisted with the Millionaire. In 1931 the company launches a new design that could actually be transported; from then on, the calculators were known as MADAS portable. The machines kept on being improved until 1960. In 1950 competition had started to be fiery in the calculator market and the firm started to decline. In 1970 H.W.Egli A.G. stopped all activity.