Don Rosen, a mechanical engineer and collector of Curta calculators, will be speaking at the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle about the importance and history of these devices. The Curta calculator was invented by Curt Herzstark, a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Herzstark began developing the Curta in Austria in the 1930s but was forced to stop when the Nazis ordered his company to help manufacture equipment for the German army. While imprisoned at Buchenwald concentration camp in 1943, he was allowed to resume design work on the Curta with the promise that it could earn him his freedom after the war.
Interest in the Curta calculator spiked in 2004 after an article in Scientific American titled “The Curious History of the First Pocket Calculator.” With the advent of eBay, people were able to start selling and acquiring the devices, with prices averaging around $1,500 today. Between 1948 and 1972, 140,000 Curta calculators were manufactured, and it is estimated that there are about 3,000 of them still in existence. Don Rosen, who has 71 Curta calculators in his collection, enjoys restoring them as they are made with intricate moving parts and feel like a watch when turned.
Rosen is fascinated by the Curta calculator because it was all designed by one person, Curt Herzstark, who figured out how to miniaturize what were bulky desktop-style calculators at the time. Herzstark designed the parts of the Curta from memory while imprisoned at Buchenwald, without any books or knowledge, showcasing his incredible memory and skill. The design of the Curta was intricate, with parts carefully selected for materials and tolerances applied by Herzstark. Rosen’s collection includes some of the oldest and newest Curta calculators, all of museum quality.
The Curta calculator will be on display at the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle, where Don Rosen will speak about the exhibit on November 10th. Rosen, who is 87 years old and still working as an engineering manager, has a personal connection to the Curta calculator due to similarities in background with Herzstark – both worked for their family businesses and were mechanical engineers. Rosen’s interest in the Curta calculator stemmed from wanting to preserve a few for his grandchildren, recognizing the historical significance and ingenuity behind the device.
The Curta calculator is a unique piece of history, showcasing the resilience and creativity of Curt Herzstark, who was able to continue his design work in the face of adversity at a concentration camp. The device was a groundbreaking invention that revolutionized calculations in its time, with its intricate design and portable nature making it a valuable tool for engineers and mathematicians. Don Rosen’s collection of Curta calculators serves as a testament to this remarkable invention and the enduring legacy of Herzstark’s work. Visit the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle to learn more about the Curta calculator and its significance.
