The Quincunx (also commonly known as a Bean Counter) was invented by the Mathematician Francis Galton in 1873 as a device to show the normal and binomial distribution of any data. It rapidly became an iconic and highly influential tool in the field of Statistics helping supply practical data to many areas of Social Science. During the 1950s an individual named Walter Kochel began producing the quincunx commercially under the name of the ‘Lightning Calculator’.
This very nice example dates to the early years of the invention (and if a pencil date on the back is correct may date to c1908 or earlier). While modern examples are everywhere, antique examples are rare. The Dutch paper label on this describes it as a college model and interestingly references Gauss but does not mention Galton. Further pencil annotations on the back show this model was exhibited in 1934-5.
Apart from a new pane of glass and rubber pads, this Quincunx is in very original condition. Almost certainly made to order, this was a laborious model to construct, extremely solid, and even the brass clips on the side are individually numbered both to the underside of the metal and wood. This model is perfect for display or with some new lead shot pellets could be used.
Dimensions: 58 cm high x 54 cm wide.
