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Jaap Scherphuis
@jaapsch.net

So here is the Locke Adder. A gorgeous looking thing which is really no more than an abacus. It does not even have a carry mechanism. I spent a lot of time looking through digital archives to find out more about it and the maker, Clarence Elmer Locke. I found a few things that seem to be new. 1/3

Jaap Scherphuis@jaapsch.net

Today I learned that baby jumpers were invented way earlier than I ever thought. The following newspaper ad is from January 1906. I found this during my research into the latest addition to my calculator collection. I'm sure you can figure out what it is. The second ad is by the same company.

Jaap Scherphuis
@jaapsch.net

Not only did he sell his own products (the Locke adder, as well as the Locke Adjustable Table and the Locke Baby Jumper shown before), he also sold select products made by others. Shown here are the Columbus Safety Inkwell, the "Quick as a Wink" Cork Puller, and the Never-Lose Key Tag. 2/3

Jaap Scherphuis
@jaapsch.net

In May 1907 a fire destroyed Locke's business premises in Kensett, Iowa. It seems that he was unable or unwilling to rebuild his business, and the next year he moved to New Mexico to become a farmer. He died there in 1945. So production of the Adder probably ceased in 1907, not 1912 or 1916. (3/3)

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