Calculating Machines

Abstract

MAY I make an appeal through your columns to any men of science who have calculating machines of any kind not in active use to communicate with me? My laboratory has at present very heavy computing work of an urgent character in hand for a Government department. This keeps nine machines running almost incessantly, and when any machine gets out of order it is, in existing circumstances, almost impossible to get it rapidly and effectively repaired. Quite fancy prices are now being asked often for completely worn-out machines. If any one of the readers of NATURE has a machine in reasonb1e condition, which is not in use, and is willing to part with it for work of national importance at a reasonable price, I should be glad to hear from him the particulars as to type, condition, and price desired. When the war is over machines will return to their normal price—indeed, will probably be at reduced prices, for the war has taught many persons their value, and the market will be wider than it has hitherto been, so that foreign monopolies are certain to be broken down.