In 1883, Joseph Edmondson patented his circular stepped drum machine for all four basic arithmetic operations. It essentially followed the principle of the Thomas arithmomètre. Nevertheless, Edmondson introduced some interesting innovations. Above all, the potential possibility of being able to calculate an almost infinite result was very appealing. Nevertheless, only a few examples of this machine were produced, of which only five are still known today. One is on permanent loan from the IBM collection at the Arithmeum.

In her bachelor's thesis, based on the lecture series on the history of mechanical computing with Professor Dr. Ina Prinz, mathematics student Daniela Voosen presented the Edmondson calculating machine in all its special features and explained it in detail. For the first time, this machine can be studied intensively in all its functions - which is also reflected in the length of the video. We hope you enjoy it.