Beautiful Antique Thales Model A Calculating Machine. Germany, Circa 1920

Beautiful antique Thales Model A calculating machine, made in Germany circa 1920 and in excellent condition. This piece comes with its original storing case, composed of a solid oak wooden base and a curved wooden top which connects the base through a functional lock, which is operated with the original key. The machine shows the classic design of early-20th-century arithmometers, with black-enameled metal casing and engraved numerals painted red and white. The finishes are all original from the time and have not been repainted, remaining today exactly as they were. At the back of the calculator we can see an antique decal, slightly worn (though complete), with the companys name and the city where it was located, Rastatt. The storing case preserves the original finish; the logo, printed in golden lettering, has been repainted at some point of the calculators life. This beautiful antique Thales model A calculating machine has survived to our days in superb condition, being a very special piece and a true find for collectors. Thales Calculators History The history of Thales started with Emil Schubert. In 1906 he was a foreman at the Triumphator-Werke, and was involved with the development of pinwheel calculators from the beginning on. In 1911 he decided to form a company (together with a businessman called L. Haberer) to produce calculators of his own. The later success of the Thales was due to Max Mueller, a talented businessman who had also good connections. In 193 Mueller was found guilty of embezzlement and was forced to leave the company. In 1936 the National Socialists forced E. Schubert to leave his company without taking his patents. He then found a new company to produce calculators under his own name, Schubert. After WWII, Max Mueller came back to head the Thales-Werke in Rastatt. Their pinwheel calculators were successful on the world market until the late 1960s.