Object Record
Otis King's Pocket Calculator, Scale No. 423
Otis King's pocket calculator close up
| Catalog Number | 11.0003.025 |
| Title | Otis King's Pocket Calculator, Scale No. 423 |
| Collection | Joseph E. Rall Collection |
| History |
Dr. Joseph E. Rall served as Scientific Director of NIAMD and NIDDK, and for the NIH. He became the first NIH Deputy Director of Intramural Research. This unusual calculator was designed by Otis Carter Formby King, a grocer and engineer. It was made by Carbic Ltd. and the patent is dated to 1921 in the United Kingdom. It is not known whom "James" was in Rall's young life. The "Annanias Club" is a misspelling of Ananias Club, a code for a liar, based on the New Testament story of Ananias who lied about how much money he received for selling property and held some of the profit back from himself. He dropped dead upon being revealed in his lie. The term was in use in the media in a 1902 cartoon in the New York Herald, and got much press use in 1906-7, between President Theodore Roosevelt and Senator Benjamin Tillman of South Carolina over a railroad rate bill. Ananias clubs were established nationwide for the amusement of their members. |
| Description | Leather case--cylindrical. Stamped in gold "Otis King's Pocket Calculator." The top unsnaps but stays connected--sewed on. Metal tab is used to pull out the calculator, which doesn't come out the entire way. Metal cylinder is lined or painted with scales. Maker's name and patent no. are on it. Handwritten in ink on the case is "James" and "Annainias Club." |
| Year Range from | 1921 |
| Year Range to | 1939 |
| Organizations |
NIH; NIAMD (National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases) (1950-1 NIH; NIAMD, Clinical Endrocrinology Branch NIH; NIDDK (National Institute for Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Disease) NIH; OD (Office of the Director) NIH; OD, OIR (Office of Intramural Research) |
| People |
Rall, Joseph E. |