How the CURTA Works

[@sickleandsuckle]

I can't believe this was designed without CAD....the guy must have been a genius!

[@CharAznableLoNZ]

Absolutely beautiful piece of engineering.

[@MartKencuda]

This was very interesting. I'm amazed at how simple, yet complicated, this device is. I can tell a lot of work went into this video and I really appreciate it.

[@Thaddeus3rd]

My hat is off to this gentleman who created such a work of mechanical beauty and functionality. And I tip my brim to you sir for sharing and explaining this masterpiece in such clarity. Thank you.

[@leleedler]

I recently found one of these jems sitting in the garbage near where I work. I was throwing away the rest of my lunch when I recognized a similar little black cylinder. I still don't know why it would be there but, I am not complaining, I now own something I always dreamed to own.

[@SCHMULBACH22]

I love the combination of engineering and math behind this. I doubt most the students at my engineering school could come even close designing a mechanical calculator like this with our current resources (including me!)

[@mcmh9523]

Such an elegant piece of engineering.

[@danielpalomo6753]

Well, this explanation used the simulator CG to great advantage. This is the closest I have come to actually understanding the mechanism. Thanks for this brilliant explanation!

[@gafisher001]

Absolutely fascinating, a pinnacle work from an age which has passed. We used these in auto (Rallye) racing in the 1960s; in many ways what was in the navigator's hands was just as important - and possibly as complex - as what was under the hood. Sadly, I included my Curta in the deal when I sold my TR-3.

[@Antebellum1860]

Thank you. A super video with a super narration. I fell in love with the Curta the first time I saw it advertised in Scientific American. Unfortunately being a teenager with no disposable income and my parents with low disposable income, the Curta was my first unrequited love.

[@jstoll56]

I live in Mauren, where the Curta was produced. Sadly the company has closed down many years ago, the factory buildings have been totally removed recently.

[@killerbeenl83]

If you take this apart without knowing how it works your screwed big time.

[@SimpsonDG]

+killerbeenl It used to be said that you paid for a Curta calculator twice: once when you first bought it, and a second time when you had to send it back to the manufacturer for re-assembly after taking it apart to see how it works. Apparently LOTS of people took them apart, and had to send them back to the factory for re-assembly.

[@BobofWOGGLE]

+David Simpson Really can't blame them for that. Fitting such an effective mechanical calculator in such a small package is truly amazing. Anybody'd be curious to see how it works.

[@kingzfan2000]

how the hell can anyone be smart enough to invent something like this without computers

[@XouZ88]

I have always been much more fascinated about mechanical devices, it always looks so much cooler than a chip card.

[@syntheticelementvids]

Amazing video, the man who designed this without a computer was a genius.

[@econoroller]

The Rolex of calculators :)

[@carbonie_fibraro]

What beautiful mechanics, the inventors visualization abilities must have been incredible. Also, great job on the video, very well done!

[@StoneyMcFish]

Amazing! I love these old-school mechanical devices.

[@pd10642]

This is a most wonderful presentation of this fascinating machine; you truly must have a deep love for the aesthetics of it!

[@CH3LS3A]

I'd love to have this... just spending hours playing with this would be a dream

[@YouTubist666]

Beautifully done video for a beautifully engineered device.

[@pev_]

Thank you! What an incredible device, and incredibly well made video!

[@petersoshow]

Great work and very well illustrated! Thanks for sharing!

[@DPedroBoh]

Amazing video for an amazing device. Seriously, great work.

[@divyajnana]

great video using a fantastic digital model to explain how piece of mechanical genius works. Thanks you.

[@Sacmbaspis]

This is called some serious mechanical engineering!

[@llewellynpatrick160]

An excellent explanation of the device - thank you.

[@xxledbettaxx]

Seeing the Curta reminds me of the Antikythera device. I imagine some distant civilization finding one of these and what they would think.

[@tjejojyj]

That was elegant and easy to easy to follow; just like the Curta perhaps? You got my subscription.

[@laxpors]

I actually understand how it works now! Thanks!

[@jeremyclayton-travis1991]

I am totally taken aback by this device. I think I understood some of it but the maths at the beginning didn't help me as I didn't understand any of it but I loved the video. I do have 2 of these machines.

[@j.thorgard]

Thanks for sharing, this felt as easy to understand as possible.

[@thejumperkin]

A Fantastic video describing a fantastic machine. I wish I could buy one right now..

[@SimpsonDG]

+thejumperkin You can. They're on eBay, typically around US$1000.

[@zxcv338]

A great visual for how math works

[@BGroothedde]

Beautiful video, amazing.

[@splortz]

Thank you for your wonderful explanatory video.

[@CuriousMarc]

Beautifully done.

[@mattgreenosu]

Very nice explanation.

[@ramonrivero]

Amazing work congrats!!!

[@Eggsr2bcrushed]

forget designing it, I wanna know how they made it with 1940's tech. no CNC machines back then.

[@andrelewis3942]

Fantastic explanation, Thanks!

[@digerttm]

Ok, this is really cool.

[@theoreticalbear3806]

Mind. Blown.

[@nimishdwarakanath3483]

Amazing animation, Thanks :)

[@fiveseven808]

Thank you for the amazingly informative video!!!

[@jimminilsson5182]

Fantastisk teknisk film beskrivelse, super.

[@davidthegreen]

Incredible.

[@mundolukas]

For those who wonder how the creator managed to develop this complicated device.... People had MUCH more free time back then, also there were much less distractions.

[@wktodd]

Excellent Thankyou :-)

[@frolland1]

Sensational!

[@felrickson]

Excellent

[@jijzer4581]

What a beautiful piece does it needs a virus scanner :-)

[@stephenlastname4706]

/drool