Calculating Frog: Make Your Own Mechanical Calculator (unpublished)

by belsey

29K11826

Intro: Calculating Frog: Make Your Own Mechanical Calculator (unpublished)

Since writing this instructable I have revised the project and no longer feel that the tutorial I published is the best way to make this calculator -- it was way too complicated, cutting up a metal tea box, etc, etc. Unfortunately, since the instructable had been entered into a contest, I cannot delete it. Instead I have deleted the steps (except for this introduction). Apologies for the inconvenience... If you like this frog, a different template with alternate instructions is available on my website. I promise, at some point, I will re-write this instructable with a free PDF just for instructables.

In grade school kids are taught about math "triangles." 3+4=7 or 7-4=3 or 7-3=4 for example. The same principle works with multiplication and division (3x4=12 or 12/3=4 or 12/4=3) By putting each number on the angle of a triangular flash card and by hiding one of the three corners, not only are children practicing memorization, they are grasping the concept that addition and subtraction or multiplication and division are like the flip side of the same coin. They can literally see the relationship.

My mechanical calculator is based on this triangle, but by using simple mechanics the triangle formed by the frog's feet and his clasped hands can move. A single card will show the whole multiplication table, and watching it move around is a whole lot more fun than flashcards.

I should say that I did NOT come up with the concept: William Robertson, in 1916, designed a tin toy he named the "Educated Monkey." When I fist saw it a few months ago I thought it would be fun and easy to reproduce the idea on paper -- I was dead wrong.

My desk has been strewn with pins and frog body parts for weeks as I've been trying to fine-tune the template. Changing the monkey into a frog was easy and natural; the way the creature moves is much more frog-like than monkeyish. Getting everything to line up properly was a bit tricky, but manageable. I was able to improve Mr. Robertson's design by figuring out a way to display when a number is multiplied or added to itself (i.e. 5+5) He just drew a little square which represents the number, but my template shows the actual number (you can't see me right now, but I just patted myself on the back). I found tiny aluminum eyelets at a paper supply store, but during the design process, for expediency, I used pins sticking up and tried not to injure myself as I banged my desk in frustration... Because after getting everything to work perfectly, when I finally printed my frog out in color, cut the pieces for what I thought would be the last time and used the cute little eyelets --- it didn't work. The pins I had been using held the paper body parts in place while allowing them to pivot freely. The eyelets, on the other hand, held the paper together too tightly, so in a few critical places instead of pivoting the paper stuck and buckled instead. The d... thing needs to be made with a stiffer material after all.

25 Comments

belsey 5 years ago

Yes, the original (metal) design was a monkey, but for some reason I liked the frog better... but really the most beautiful thing about it is the geometry. Nice job on your reproduction!

perfo 8 years ago

Hello, I like the idea. I can't seem to find the actual instructable though. How many steps are there ?

Where would I find the details on how to make one ?

Thanks...

belsey 8 years ago

Sorry about that... I tried to delete the instructable after publishing it because I realized I had made it all wrong, the steps were much too complicated (they involved cutting up a tea tin, which was a hassle and unnecessary). However, since I'd entered it into a contest the "unpublish" option was not available, so I just deleted all the steps instead and left the intro. I've been meaning to rewrite it but I haven't had the chance.

HollyMann 12 years ago

Wow this is amazing and my son would also love it! :)

nead 12 years ago

Wonderful project! My young son and I really like. We will try to make one using card stock.

Reminds me of the pantograph I had when I was very little.

Wonder what else this could be used for.

Thank you for sharing.

nead 12 years ago

We made it using card stock and 1/8" eyelet. It works but we have to "assist" it or the arms bend. It's not going to last very long.

We will try again using a donor cookie tin.

belsey 12 years ago

Laminating the card stock should help too, and it's definitely easier than cutting the tea or cookie tin.

belsey 12 years ago

I hadn't seen the modern version... Thanks for sharing that. I imagine making it with the arms over his head would be pretty much the same level of difficulty to make.

mikeasaurus 12 years ago

Great project, and I love the way you made this frog.

Though, is it weird my first thought after seeing the video was this classic cartoon?

belsey 12 years ago

Thanks for posting that, maybe I'll change the music on my video to this one.... The music I have now is more toad-like than jumpy, happy frog-like...

halmars 12 years ago

Great instructable. Have you thought about "encapsulating" the printout with one of those machines that stich a plastic pocket to a sheet of paper?
I have read the end part where you say paper and bent paper clips will do, so once I get a printer up and running I'llhave a go at this. Thanks

belsey 12 years ago

Yes laminating! That's a great idea!
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