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Burroughs Series F Bookkeeping Machine

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Burroughs
Description
Although its focus was on adding machines, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company also sold bookkeeping machines, which carried out a wider range of accounting functions. This example was preserved in the company’s Patent Division.
The full-keyboard, printing electric machine has a grayish tan metal case with streamlining on the front. It has 14 columns of gray, white, and black plastic keys. The 11 columns of keys on the right are square color-coded digit keys, with nine keys in each column. The three columns to the left have 12 rectangular keys each. The leftmost has abbreviations for months of the year. Right of it is a column of keys for days of the month. Right of this is a column with nine keys showing 2-letter abbreviations for types of transactions, as well as year keys for years 47 (1947) through 49 (1949). The abbreviations are the same as those on 1982.0794.33. Several function bars, keys, and levers are right of the number keys. A printing mechanism and wide carriage are at the back of the machine. No motor is visible.
The object is in a crate that measures 62 cm. w. x 52.5 cm. d. x 33.5 cm. h. Cataloged from photograph.
According to the accession file, the machine is incomplete. Versions of the Series F were introduced in 1949, 1951, 1952, and 1954.
Reference:
Accession File.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Burroughs Corporation
1947
ID Number
1982.0794.22
catalog number
1982.0794.22
accession number
1982.0794
Object Name
bookkeeping machine
Physical Description
rubber (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 33.5 cm x 61 cm x 52.5 cm; 13 3/16 in x 24 1/32 in x 20 21/32 in
place made
United States: Michigan, Detroit
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Bookkeeping Machines
Science & Mathematics
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Business
Record ID
nmah_690647
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0df0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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Bookkeeping Machine, Burroughs Series F
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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