Culture / Art Republik

Calculators

Kevin Tomwey exposes the inner workings of antique calculators

Nov 27, 2014 | By Staff Writer

Our standard scientific calculators are nowhere as interesting as the large older calculators that our parents and grandparents used. While our calculators work on small microchips, the older calculators require many intricate parts that work together in complex systems. In his insightful photography seriesĀ Calculators,Ā photographer Kewin Twomey documents the inner workings of a 60-year old calculator. His series sheds light on the gears, axels, rods and lever interacting with each other within a seemingly simple looking machine. Twomey, whoĀ ā€œdelights in raising the most mundane of objects to an iconic levelā€, depicts this old gadget dramatically- as if it has a character of its own.Ā The project originally came about whenĀ Mark Glusker, a mechanical engineer and collector of old calculators, asked Twomey to photograph his collection.Ā 

ā€œThe stripping of the external shell of the calculators was not the original concept for shooting these machines,ā€ Twomey explains, “but when Mark removed the covers to show the complex internal working of the calculators, I immediately knew that this was the heart of the project.ā€ View more of Twomey’s photography seriesĀ here.Ā 

Brunsviga 11s Side View

Brunsviga 11s Top View

Calculating Machines 40239

Calculating Machines 40322

Calculating Machines 40339

Cellatron R44sm Front View

Cellatron R44sm Side View

Diehl Transmatic Front View

Diehl Transmatic Side View

Marchant Efa Side View

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via mymodernmet

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