Consul the Educated Monkey
Production date
1915
Current rights
Public Domain
Object detail
Brief Description
Consul the Educated Monkey is a metal linkage superimposed on a square metal sheet that has a multiplication table printed on it. Placing the feet of the monkey at two numbers listed along the base of the sheet, the linkage moves so that the product appears between the hands of the monkey.
In 1915, William Henry Robertson, a draftsman at NCR, applied for two patents. The first, for "a calculating device," was for "a quick and simple method of finding results" on a chart. The second was for a toy using the same mechanism "to stimulate the interest of children in the study of numbers." In this second patent, the linkage took the form of a monkey. Robertson assigned both of his patents to the Educational Novelty Company of Dayton, which soon was selling Consul.
In 1915, William Henry Robertson, a draftsman at NCR, applied for two patents. The first, for "a calculating device," was for "a quick and simple method of finding results" on a chart. The second was for a toy using the same mechanism "to stimulate the interest of children in the study of numbers." In this second patent, the linkage took the form of a monkey. Robertson assigned both of his patents to the Educational Novelty Company of Dayton, which soon was selling Consul.
Collection
Production date
1915
Production place
Production period
Media/Materials description
Orange card envelope, card instructions and metal monkey
Media/Materials
Measurements
Envelope: Height x Width: 150 x 140mm
Directions card: Height x Width: 92 x 125mm
Metal Monkey: Height x Width: 150 x 138mm
Directions card: Height x Width: 92 x 125mm
Metal Monkey: Height x Width: 150 x 138mm
Classification terms
Subject period
Subject date
1915
Current rights
Public Domain
Credit line
from the estate of Miss Elizabeth Webb
Other number(s)
m99/78, 95050
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