Arithmeum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Arithmeum is based on the collection of Bonn mathematician Bernhard Korte, who began collecting mechanical calculating machines as a student – precisely in the 1970s, when electronics were displacing mechanics. From this core grew a collection that today numbers more than 10,000 objects, including calculating machines, historical computers, slide rules and an extensive library on the history of mathematics.

The museum is a central institution of the University of Bonn and shares a new building on Lennéstraße with the Research Institute for Discrete Mathematics. The building, with its delicate steel-and-glass facade, is meant to make the openness of science visible; the permanent exhibition "Rechnen einst und heute" (Calculating Then and Now) has been on view since September 1999.

The tour runs chronologically from counting stones, abacus and counting table through replicas and originals of the great inventors of calculating machines to industrial mass production, the beginnings of data processing and the Enigma. A separate section bridges the gap to the institute's current research on microchip design. The program is complemented by special exhibitions on the history of instruments, presentations of geometric-constructive art from the museum's own collection and the concert series "concerto discreto".

Highlights

• One of the most extensive collections of historical calculating machines in the world
• Calculating machines that visitors can try out themselves
• Enigma and Hollerith machine from the early days of data processing
• Section on the mathematics and aesthetics of chip design
• Changing exhibitions of geometric-constructive art

Permanent exhibitions

• Rechnen einst und heute – A chronological walk through the history of mechanical calculation up to early computers, cryptography and modern chip design, partly with machines to try out.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Forschungsinstitut für Diskrete Mathematik

Director

Ina Prinz

Admission & discounts

Public guided tours on weekends without a tour fee (admission only). Children's programs, workshops and children's birthday parties €25 program fee plus €6 per participant.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to Bonn's accessibility portal, wheelchair-accessible with elevators; no information on the official website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Rally sets through the permanent exhibition for children from preschool age; workshops from preschool to upper secondary school; children's birthday parties (€25 program fee plus €6 per child).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with catalogs, books and chip-design items.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit