| Automatic Adding Machine Golden Gem Stylus Adder | |
| Written by AnubisTTP on 2025-08-16 |
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The Golden Gem, manufactured by the Automatic Adding Machine Corporation of New York, is a compact handheld adding machine that was first released in 1907. This adder makes use of linked chains for its mechanism; each chain link represents a number, in operation a stylus is inserted into the desired chain segment and then pulled towards the bottom of the device to add that number to the current total. The output is displayed in a 7 digit register at the top of the device, and a small knob on the right side is used to clear the register at the end of a calculation. The entire mechanism is tightly fitted into a sturdy plated metal case that fits easily in the palm of the hand. Like most small handheld adders, carry propagation through successive digits is a real problem for the Golden Gem. Each successive carry requires increased mechanical force, and it is physically impossible to preform a carry through all seven digits of the device without breaking one of the chains. Even worse, it is easy to accidentally enter incorrect values into the Golden Gem if the stylus is not held at a perfect right angle to the face of the device. Too steep of an angle will cause an inflated number to be entered when the tip of the stylus pushes under the edge of the entry register, an easy mistake that is warned against in the very first page of the Golden Gem's printed manual.
Despite its shortcomings, the Golden Gem sold well enough to spawn several revisions to the original design. Though the example shown here can only preform addition, later variants are also capable of subtraction, and include a second scale printed in red next to each chain for this purpose. Automatic Adding Machine also produced a larger wood-cased version of the Golden Gem, marketed as the Improved Gem. The Improved Gem was intended to be operated on a desk or table, and was built into a wedge shaped wooden case that could be folded into a cubical package for easy transport.
Automatic Adding Machine Golden Gem, normal operation.
Automatic Adding Machine Golden Gem, shown with cover removed. The seven drive chains are clearly visible.
The Golden Gem was a very small adding machine, and could easily fit in one hand.
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