1992.370

Arithmetic Type Frame

Slate consists of a maple wood frame with 600 cells (20 x 30) inside molded frame; plywood bottom set into rabbet in frame and secured with steel pins; cells are .25 x .25 x .5"; 208 pieces of lead type; each piece cast with a raised Arabic numeral (0 through 9) on top and an indented line on bottom to guide in placement; steel eye-ring screwed into short side; wooden carrying case which appears to be homemade.

ca. 1950

American Printing House for the Blind

Louisville, KY

Originally called an Arabic Slate, this style of math aid was developed in Paris, France in the 19th century. One source from 1910 called it the Paris Method. This slate, known as an Arithmetic Type Frame, was developed in 1936 at APH as an instructional aid for working problems in long division, multiplication, subtraction, and addition. The supplied lead type was called Philadelphia Great Primer Type. In 1959, APH introduced the Texas slate to replace the Arithmetic Type Frame.

Gift of Esther K. Tipps, 1992.370