Object Details
- Baldwin, Frank S.
- Description
- In the late 19th century, Wiliam Seward Burroughs of St. Louis pioneered in the introduction of key-set printing adding machines, designed especially to assist banks in keeping track of accounts. The Burroughs Registering Accountant found a considerable market. In August of 1902, calculating machine inventor Frank S. Baldwin proposed this form of a key-set, printing adding machine. It has only one set of keys (the 3 key cover is missing), arranged in the order of a modern telephone touch pad.
- A small, unmarked key is to the left of, and above, the “1” key. To the right of the "3" key stem is a threaded metal protrusion. Above the keys is a semicylindrical carriage with a row of nine numeral wheels that indicate the total. At the base of the carriage is a saw toothed bar. A metal arrow points up from the bar as a place marker. A triangular protrusion from the machine surface holds the bar. At the end of the carriage is a screw, perhaps for zeroing. A small lever attached to the bottom left of the carriage may release it to move left or right.
- Behind the carriage is a printing mechanism that prints up to nine digits. It is driven by a crank on the right. Reels for the paper tape are behind the mechanism. The wooden knob on the crank folds inward so that the lid of the mahogany box closes. A loose metal handle fits into a hole in the right side of the machine.
- A mark on the case of the machine reads: 27-86. No serial number found.
- This machine is from the collection of L. Leland Locke, and was once at the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of L. Leland Locke
- 1903
- ID Number
- MA.311955
- accession number
- 155183
- catalog number
- 311955
- Object Name
- adding machine
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- steel (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 20.2 cm x 25.5 cm x 27 cm; 7 15/16 in x 10 1/32 in x 10 5/8 in
- place made
- United States: New Jersey, Newark
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Adding Machines
- Calculating Machines
- Science & Mathematics
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Record ID
- nmah_690091
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0ad4-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
