Burroughs

Burroughs bookkeeping machines developed from a combined calculating machine and typewriter developed by William Hopkins of St. Louis and sold by the Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine Company from about 1906. In 1921 Burroughs purchased patent rights to the machine and soon moved production to Detroit.  Burroughs would sell accounting into the 1960s. Many examples of these machines in the Smithsonian collections come from that company’s Patent Department.

In 1904 St. Louis machinist and inventor Hubert Hopkins applied for a patent for a “multiplying and typewriting machine.” This was the first of several related patents. With the backing of local businessman John C.
Description
In 1904 St. Louis machinist and inventor Hubert Hopkins applied for a patent for a “multiplying and typewriting machine.” This was the first of several related patents. With the backing of local businessman John C. Moon, he soon organized the Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine Company and had a commercial machine manufactured and out on trial by 1908. Business success proved elusive, and after extensive negotiations, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company purchased rights to the machine in 1921. This is a Burroughs version of the Moon-Hopkins.
The machine sits on a metal stand painted black (the dimensions of the machine are about 43.2 cm. w. x 60.5 cm. d. x 74.2 cm. h. – overall dimensions are 50 cm. w. x 63.5 cm. d. x 104 cm. h.) It has a metal frame and back, with glass sides. The keys have a white background, with numbers and letters apparently printed on plastic.
The machine has two rows of keys, with ten keys in each row, at the front. These keys are numbered to form two sets of number keys. Various function keys are on the left side and at the front. Behind and above the numeral keys is another bar, and then four rows of letter and number keys as on a typewriter keyboard. Above these is a row of four keys numbered from 1 to 4. To the left of the letter keys are ribbon shift, margin release, shift lock, and shift key non-print keys. To the right of the letter keys are point off, decimal discount, and carriage-return keys. Above the keyboard is a “REG. [/] TRIP” key. It is attached to a pointer that can point to 1, 2, or 3.
Behind the keys is a wide carriage, behind which is a narrow carriage with paper tape. The motor fits under the machine.
A mark on the top of the machine reads: Burroughs (/) Moon-Hopkins (/) THIS MACHINE PROTECTED BY U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS. The serial number, visible on a plate on the left side, is: 7-823880.
This object was lent to the Smithsonian by Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1924. It was donated to the Museum by Unisys Corporation in 2011.
Reference:
P. A. Kidwell, “The Adding Machine Fraternity at St. Louis: Creating a Center of Invention, 1880–1920.” IEEE Annals of the History of cComputing, 22 #2 (April-June 2000), pp. 14–17.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
MA.308347
catalog number
308347
maker number
7-823880
accession number
2011.0264
Printing adding machines built on patents of William S. Burroughs of St. Louis sold successfully from the 1890s. The first of these machines printed a single column of figures on a narrow paper tape.
Description
Printing adding machines built on patents of William S. Burroughs of St. Louis sold successfully from the 1890s. The first of these machines printed a single column of figures on a narrow paper tape. By the early 20th century, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company manufactured machines with a wide carriage, suited for printing columns of figures on wider sheets of paper. By 1917, Burroughs sold wide carriage, electrically powered machines that could subtract as well as add. They called them Burroughs Class 6 bookkeeping machines.
The machine has a metal case and stand, with glass sides. In this example, there are 13 columns of round plastic keys, with nine keys in each column. On the right are eight columns of black and white digit keys, with key color deterined by the place value of the digit represented. Left of these keys are two columns containing a total of fifteen of white keys, with various three-letter designations of types of transactions. Left of these white keys are red keys for designating days of the month and black keys marked with abbreviations for days of the month. The machine also has an operating bar, function keys, and 12 zeroing buttons above the keyboard. A total register visible through the front glass shows eight-digit totals.
A mark on the front glass reads: Burroughs (/) THIS MACHINE PROTECTED BY U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS. A metal tag screwed to the bottom front reads: 2932.
At the back are a carriage, paper guide and printing mechanism. The machine is blind printing, which means that numbers printed are not visible to the operator. The motor under the machine is attached to it by a cloth-covered cord. An account printed out on a machine like this one has Museum number MA.308348.1.
The Class 6 came in several models. This appears to be a model 6505 or 6506. This form of machine was replaced by the Burroughs Classes 20 and 30 bookkeeping machines in 1928.
The object was lent to the Smithsonian by Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1924. It was donated to the Institution by Unisys Corporation in 2011.
Reference:
P. A. Kidwell, “The Adding Machine Fraternity at St. Louis: Creating a Center of Invention, 1880–1920.” IEEE Annals of the History of cComputing, 22 #2 (April–June 2000), pp. 14–17, 472.
Burroughs Corporation Papers, Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
New York Tribune, May 22, 1917, p. 5.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
MA.308348
catalog number
308348
accession number
2011.0264
This version of the Burroughs Class 7 bookkeeping machine was designed specifically for calculating taxes and payrolls. It has a gray metal case. At the front are two sets of digit keys, one gray and one white, as well as several function keys on the left.
Description
This version of the Burroughs Class 7 bookkeeping machine was designed specifically for calculating taxes and payrolls. It has a gray metal case. At the front are two sets of digit keys, one gray and one white, as well as several function keys on the left. These keys are in two rows. To the left is a key mounted so that the stem moves horizontally.
Behind and above the digit keys is a space bar and four rows of a QWERTY typewriter keyboard. The “uppercase” symbols are not conventional. Behind the typewriter keyboard is a lever that can be set for any of seven registers. At the center behind the typing keys is a lever that can be set at “INACTIVE” or at any number from 9 to 15. Behind this is a wide carriage and a complex mechanism. The motor is under the machine.
The machine has no stand.
Marks on the front and the back read: Burroughs. A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #203. A metal tag at the front of the machine has the serial number: A3857. This suggests a 1934 date. A mark on the gray plastic cover reads: Burroughs B. A mark on a white paper tag attached to the machine reads: For information (/) regarding this machine (/) see (/) H. Brown Room 587.
A card in the accession file indicates that this is a Style 72 07 22 machine.
References:
Accession file.
Price and Style Guide for Class 7 Machines, Burroughs Corporation Papers, Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1934
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1982.0794.38
catalog number
1982.0794.38
accession number
1982.0794
In 1932 Hans Jurgensen, who had been active in Democratic Party politics in Queens, New York, was appointed a tally clerk for the United States House of Representatives.
Description
In 1932 Hans Jurgensen, who had been active in Democratic Party politics in Queens, New York, was appointed a tally clerk for the United States House of Representatives. He and his assistants kept records on how individual members voted on roll call votes for publication in The Congressional Record. They stamped the information by hand, making about 500,000 registrations per year. Jurgensen concluded that a machine could do the work more efficiently, and ordered this modified bookkeeping machine from the Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit.
The machine has eight columns of metal bars that are painted black; each bar covers two key stems. Each column has seven bars labeled: “NVF” (not voting for), “NVA” (not voting against), “NV” (not voting), “AB” (absent), “PR”(present), “NAY”, and “YEA”. A column of keys is labeled the same way. At the top is a row of 17 red zeroing keys. Repeat and error keys are on the right and an operating bar right of them. At the back is a rubber platen and metal carriage. A motor and cord are under the machine.
The machine sits on a black metal stand that fits on a wooden dolly that is painted green and gold. Attached to the stand is a piece of black cloth with snaps. With the wooden kick stand up, it measures: 95 cm. w. x 74 cm. d. x 106 cm. h.
Marks on the back of paper feed, on the kick stand, and on front of machine read: Burroughs. A mark on the front reads: 1A136058.
References:
“Hans Jurgensen, 51, Congressional Aide,” New York Times, June 29, 1945, p. 15. This obituary mentions Jurgensen’s work on the technology of vote tabulation.
“New time saving voting machine designed to [sic] U. S. Capitol Employee,” Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress. The Library of Congress dates this photograph to 1938. (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/hec2009015711/).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1936
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1978.2371.01
accession number
1978.2371
catalog number
1978.2371.01
This direct multiplication, printing, electric billing machine comes from the collection of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company Patent Department.The machine has a metal frame painted black. At the front are two rows of keys that control the computing mechanism.
Description
This direct multiplication, printing, electric billing machine comes from the collection of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company Patent Department.
The machine has a metal frame painted black. At the front are two rows of keys that control the computing mechanism. The machine has only one set of digit keys. These keys are of white or brightly colored plastic. Behind these two rows of keys are four rows of typewriter keys used to type descriptions and other information. These keys appear to have metal stems and edges, with plastic tops. The “uppercase” keys are not conventional uppercase letters. A wide carriage is above and behind the keyboards, and further mechanism behind it. The machine has a motor below, and a box of parts is crated with it.
The machine is marked on a red paper tag attached to it: PATENT DEPT. (/) #28. It is marked on the case above the keyboard and at the back: Burroughs.
Compare Burroughs Moon-Hopkins billing machine. This machine is not identical to it or to 1982.0794.37.
Reference:
J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 427–432.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1920
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.01
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.01
This billing machine is an example of the type introduced by Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1922. The large, printing, electric machine has a metal frame painted black and dark green.
Description
This billing machine is an example of the type introduced by Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1922. The large, printing, electric machine has a metal frame painted black and dark green. Two rows of keys, which have two sets of digit keys on them, are at the front, and control the computing mechanism. One set is used to set up amounts entered into the registers and the other to actuate the multiplier.
Behind these rows of keys are four rows of typewriter keys, used to type text. The letters are arranged as on a QWERTY keyboard, but all letters are typed in uppercase and the second symbols indicated on some keys are quite different from a conventional keyboard. All of the keys are covered with what appears to be rubber. A lever on the right above the keyboard can be set for any of three registers. The wide carriage is above and behind the keyboards, and further mechanism behind it.
The red and black ribbon would be enclosed if the case had all its side panels. The machine lacks a stand, but has a motor below. Loose in the case is a flat metal piece and two pieces that fit across the carriage, as well as six smaller pieces – one is a plastic button and five others are metal screws and tacks.
A red paper tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #202. The case of the machine is marked above the keyboard: Burroughs. A white tag attached to the machine reads: A213160 (/) TRADE (/) IN. This object was model 202 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Compare Burroughs Moon-Hopkins billing machine (MA.308347) and 1982.0794.01.
Reference:
J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 427–432.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1937
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.37
catalog number
1982.0794.37
accession number
1982.0794
This model has a metal mechanism at the back and a wide carriage in front of this. In front of the carriage is a typewriter keyboard and space bar, and in front of these are two rows of white keys. The keys at the front include one set of digit keys and various function keys.
Description
This model has a metal mechanism at the back and a wide carriage in front of this. In front of the carriage is a typewriter keyboard and space bar, and in front of these are two rows of white keys. The keys at the front include one set of digit keys and various function keys. The paper in the carriage has numbers printed sideways.
Toward the front of the machine, behind the typewriter keyboard, is a paper dial, under clear plastic, that has various phrases typed on it (e.g. “TOTAL CF”, “TRANSFER CF2-CF1”). Behind the carriage are three sets of rods on the top of the machine. To the right is a large cylinder mounted horizontally, with several toothed cylinders on it. The machine has no case. Mounted vertically at the back is a large thin disk with various holes in it. A small package of parts was received with the machine.
A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #32. A metal tag attached to the bottom at the base reads: B.A.M.CO. (/) MODEL (/) [. . .]. A white tag attached to the machine reads: NOTICE (/) This machine to be preserved as a (/) model until at least 1958 for possible (/) use in any litigation or controversy which (/) may develop in connection with the feature (/) Sensing Controls (/) J. E. McVay (/) 7/25/38. Another white tag attached to the machine reads: U.S. PATENT OFFICE (/) MUELER (/) VS. CROSMAN (/) Intf. No. 72784 (/) MUELER EXH. No. 4 (/) B. Frank Whiberg (/) Notary Public.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1935
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.02
catalog number
1982.0794.02
accession number
1982.0794
Beyond adding machines, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company sold bookkeeping machines, which carried out a wider range of accounting functions.
Description
Beyond adding machines, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company sold bookkeeping machines, which carried out a wider range of accounting functions. This example was preserved in the company’s Patent Division.
This machine has a metal case painted black and 13 columns of round plastic keys. On the right are nine columns of black and white color-coded digit keys. Adjacent to these is a column of three keys marked “48”, “47", and “46” along with 6 keys with 2-letter codes (“SC”, “RT”, “EC”, “CC", “DM”, and “CM”). Left of this column of black keys are three columns of keys. Red keys in this column are for days of the month, black ones for months of the year. The operating bar is on the right and various other keys are on the far left. Across the top is a row of 17 red column release keys. At the back is a wide carriage and a paper feed. A black rubber cord is at the back of the machine and a motor is underneath.
A red paper tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) # 113. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs.
According to documentation at the Charles Babbage Institute, Classes 20 through 30 of Burroughs machines were introduced in 1928. The type 20 accounting and posting machine came in several styles. Style 25 1303 had five registers (as in 25), and 13 columns of digit keys (9 of them devoted to digits). According to documentation, it featured a skip tabulate motor bar, platen spacing from carriage return mechanism, automatic positive cross footer totals, a register non-add key, a motor bar release key for overdraft operation, a date repeat key, a carriage-controlled cipher split, a selective operation control lever, and an eight position printing control.
The U.S. government price for a machine with three registers and 13 columns in 1941–1942 was $1,557.00.
Reference:
Burroughs Adding Machine Company, “Price List for 1941–1942 (July 1, 1941, to June 30, 1942), pp. 7–12.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1946
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1982.0794.21
catalog number
1982.0794.21
accession number
1982.0794
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.
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
date made
1947
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1982.0794.22
catalog number
1982.0794.22
accession number
1982.0794
This full-keyboard, printing electric bookkeeping machine has a grayish tan metal case with streamlining. It has 11 columns of square color-coded gray and off-white plastic digit keys, with nine keys in each column.
Description
This full-keyboard, printing electric bookkeeping machine has a grayish tan metal case with streamlining. It has 11 columns of square color-coded gray and off-white plastic digit keys, with nine keys in each column. Three columns of smaller rectangular keys indicate dates and types of transactions. The nine possible transaction types are denoted by the 2-digit letter combinations “CD”, “DS”, “RT”, “EX”, “FT”, “CS”, “CM”, “JE”, and “AL”. The year keys are for 50 (1950), 51 (1951), and 52 (1952). To the right of the keyboard are function bars and levers.The printing mechanism and wide carriage are at the back. A roll of paper stored with the machine has five columns of numbers and symbols printed on it. No stand is present.
A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #181.The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs.This was model #181 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
According to the accession file, this model had serial number A-971043. According to records of Burroughs, Series F machines of that serial number were made in 1949.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1982.0794.33
catalog number
1982.0794.33
accession number
1982.0794
This full-keyboard, printing electric bookkeeping machine has a grayish tan metal case with streamlining and 14 columns of keys.
Description
This full-keyboard, printing electric bookkeeping machine has a grayish tan metal case with streamlining and 14 columns of keys. It has 11 columns of square plastic color-coded digit keys, with nine keys in each column.
Left of the digit keys are three columns of keys used to denote the date and type of transaction. Each column has 12 rectangular plastic keys. The leftmost column lists abbreviations for months of the year. The next column is for days of the month (the keys are marked 10, 20, and 1 through 9). The next column has nine keys denoting types of transactions and three keys for years. Possible years are 50 (1950), 51 (1951), and 52 (1952).
Right of the number keys is an addition bar and two columns of function keys. The keys in each column are identical except that one has a key marked “E” and the other column has one marked “X”. The ribbon, printing mechanism, and wide carriage are behind the keyboard. The machine has no stand. A paper tray and rubber cover are stored separately in the crate.
A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #187. It was model #187 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs Sensimatic. A white tag attached to the front reads: C-3402 (/) Case No. 3402 (/) MULTIPLE REGISTER “FOUR”.
According to the Burroughs Corporation papers, versions of the series F were introduced in 1949, 1951, 1952,and 1954.
Compare 1982.0794.22 and 1984.0794.33.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1982.0794.35
catalog number
1982.0794.35
accession number
1982.0794
This full-keyboard, printing electric bookkeeping machine has a gray metal frame with streamlines and 11 columns of square plastic gray and white color-coded number keys. Left of these are three columns of keys used to denote the date and type of transaction.
Description
This full-keyboard, printing electric bookkeeping machine has a gray metal frame with streamlines and 11 columns of square plastic gray and white color-coded number keys. Left of these are three columns of keys used to denote the date and type of transaction. Possible years are 50 (1950), 51 (1951), and 52 (1952). Right of the number keys is an addition bar and three columns of function keys. The function keys may relate to operations carried out when the carriage is in three different positions. The printing mechanism and wide carriage are behind the keyboard. No stand and no exterior motor are present. A cord extends from the back of the machine.
A red paper tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #186. It was model #186 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs Sensimatic.
Versions of the Series F were introduced in 1949, 1951, 1952, and 1954.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1982.0794.34
catalog number
1982.0794.34
accession number
1982.0794
This relatively late Burroughs bookkeeping machine has a gray metal cover. In the front are two sets of digit keys, one white and one black, as well as various functions keys. In front of these are space return, motor tab, and full cents bars, as well an an unlabeled bar.
Description
This relatively late Burroughs bookkeeping machine has a gray metal cover. In the front are two sets of digit keys, one white and one black, as well as various functions keys. In front of these are space return, motor tab, and full cents bars, as well an an unlabeled bar. Behind the two rows of digit keys is a QWERTY keyboard with four rows of keys. Symbols indicated on some of these keys are unconventional. A lever at the right sets the machine for different registers. A wide carriage is behind the keyboard. The machine has an electric motor.
A mark on the front reads: Burroughs. A mark on a red paper tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #212. A metal tag screwed to the front of the machine reads: A3451.
The Burroughs Series M was introduced in 1951. This example was in the collections of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Reference:
Burroughs Corporation Papers, Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1951
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.41
catalog number
1982.0794.41
accession number
1982.0794
This full-keyboard, printing bookkeeping machine has a grayish tan metal case and round tan, light tan, and brown keys. It has 17 columns of round plastic keys. The thirteen columns on the right are digit keys, split into five columns and eight columns.
Description
This full-keyboard, printing bookkeeping machine has a grayish tan metal case and round tan, light tan, and brown keys. It has 17 columns of round plastic keys. The thirteen columns on the right are digit keys, split into five columns and eight columns. The eight columns of digit keys on the right are color-coded in dark tan and light tan. The five columns of digit keys left of these are color-coded in light tan and brown. The machine also has a column of symbol and year keys (with the years “54” and “53”) and three columns of month and date keys. In back of the keyboard is a row of 17 brown column release buttons. Behind the keyboard is a wide carriage and a paper feed. A tan cord is at the back.
A mark on the front reads: Burroughs. A metal tag screwed to the bottom of the front reads: 98815. A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #211.
Compare 1982.0794.34 and 1982.0794.21. The Burroughs Class 30 was introduced 1935. This object was model 211 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1953
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.40
catalog number
1982.0794.40
accession number
1982.0794

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.