Photog’s Antique Mechanical Exposure Time Computer

This beautiful little gadget dates to the 1920s, and is known as Kaufmann’s Posographe:

Kaufmann’s Posographe is nothing less than an analog mechanical computer for calculating six-variable functions. Specifically, it computes the exposure time (Temps de Pose) for taking photographs indoors or out (depending on which side you use). The input variables are set up on the six small pointers; the large pointer then gives you the correct time. The variables are very detailed, yet endearingly colloquial. For outdoors, they include the setting — with values like “Snowy scene”, “Greenery with expanse of water”, or “Very narrow old street”; the state of the sky — including “Cloudy and somber”, “Blue with white clouds”, or “Purest blue”; The month of the year and hour of the day; the illumination of the subject; and of course the aperture (f-number)…

The linkages, of course, are hidden inside. The linked site, above, includes a patent illustration that shows how they work. [Thanks, Alan Dove!]

More:

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• Fascinating 1953 Navy Film Series on Mechanical Computers
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