Middle Grade/ YA Non-fiction. How to build analogue "Calculator" or "Computer". Schematic: wire up small light bulbs (represent calculations) inside a cigar box. Read around 1965-1970.

[David]

I am searching for a nonfiction book on how to build a calculator or computer using wires and light bulbs housed in a cigar box. It was possibly published between 1950 and 1970, as I signed it out of the public library as a child in Canada. I was not able to build it then. It was a hard cover and written at a grade 6 level I am guessing.

[Kris]

David, around what year did you read this book? A range of years is fine.

Please add genre and more of the plot details to the header/ topic title "building a calculator...". Just copy from what you've already written in the first comment. Requests with vague headers are closed because this group is so large. If you need help with this, let us know in a new comment.

[Banjomike]

Please add genre and more of the plot details to the header/ topic title "building a calculator..."

I would say that "Building a calculator or computer" is a nearly perfect title for this specific thread. The only thing missing is "non-fiction" assuming that would be correct.

[Kris]

One question to ask is whether the book can be identified from the header alone. In this case, we need more details and context.

[David]

Kris wrote: "David, around what year did you read this book? A range of years is fine.

Please add genre and more of the plot details to the header/ topic title "building a calculator...". Just copy from what y..."

I believe I took it out of the public library between 1965 and 1970

[David]

Banjomike wrote: "Please add genre and more of the plot details to the header/ topic title "building a calculator..."

I would say that "Building a calculator or computer" is a nearly perfect title for this specific..."
Yes, it is non-fiction. I will add that to the header. Thanks

[David]

It was a book explaining how to build a "analogue" computer - a calculator of sorts. You wired up small light bulbs using the schematic inside a cigar box. You drilled holes for the bulbs and I think you numbered them on the box to identify the calculations.

[David]

Also, I am playing fast and loose on the title. It may actually be only slightly similar to what I remember. But the gist is there. It was probably 7x10 or 8x10.

[Kris]

I added some details to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it.