adding machine
Datecirca 1940
Inventory Number1996-1-0379
ClassificationAdding Machine
Subject
Maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
1905 - 1986
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions23 × 29.5 × 34 cm (9 1/16 × 11 5/8 × 13 3/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionGrey, rectangular, low keyboard adding machine with paper roll on a raised top. Keyboard consists of eight columns of number buttons, each with the numbers '1-9' printed from bottom to top. Three left-most number columns are white, followed by three grey, and three white columns (from left to right). To the right of the number columns is a column of five function buttons: 'ST', 'Tot', 'N', 'X' and 'E'. Crank on the right. Serial number etched on bronze plate on front.
Signedon front: burroughs
Inscribedon front: B28415 [serial number]
on back: BURROUGHS ADDING MACHINE CO. / DETROIT MICHIGAN / MADE IN U.S. AMERICA
FunctionThis Burroughs adding machine consists of eight columns of buttons, each with buttons for the numbers 1-9. Each column corresponds to a given place value so there is no need for zeros. A number is entered by simultaneously pressing on all the digits in the number (eg. for '509' one pressed a '5' in the hundreds column and a '9' in the ones column). After the number is entered, the crank is pulled to print the number and add or subtract it from the total. Totals and subtotals could be printed. Adding machines such as this were used for book keeping well into the 1980s.
A history of the Burroughs adding machine can be found on the following website.
A history of the Burroughs adding machine can be found on the following website.
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
Date: 1911-1927
Accessories: leather dust cover
Object number: 1996-1-0374
Compagnie Nationale des Machines de Bureau
Date: circa 1945
Accessories: two instruction booklets for a similar model made by British company Friden Calculating Machine Co. (in English)
Object number: 1990-5-0027
Automatic Adding Machine Company
Date: circa 1915
Accessories: rectangular leather case; manual for operation and maintenance, price lists, and examples (CHSI library Lib.4587, photocopy in instrument file)
Object number: DW0972
Automatic Adding Machine Company
Date: circa 1907
Accessories: original leather pouch case; black stylus for advancing chain counters; manual for operation and maintenance, price lists, and examples (Lib.4587, photocopy in instrument file)
Object number: 1997-1-1863
Ensign Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1915
Accessories: power cord
Object number: 1997-1-0232
Reliable Typewriter & Adding Machine Company
Date: circa 1930
Accessories: leather case with folding cover; metal operation stylus
Object number: 1990-5-0024
Felt and Tarrant Manufacturing Company
Date: 1887-1900
Object number: 5400
Apple Computer Inc.
Date: 1987-1990
Accessories: AppleDesign keyboard; Logitech mouse (not original); connection cables (b)
Object number: 2009-1-0018a
American Phenolic Corporation
Date: copyright 1947
Object number: 1998-1-1373