Science & Mathematics

The Museum's collections hold thousands of objects related to chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Instruments range from early American telescopes to lasers. Rare glassware and other artifacts from the laboratory of Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen, are among the scientific treasures here. A Gilbert chemistry set of about 1937 and other objects testify to the pleasures of amateur science. Artifacts also help illuminate the social and political history of biology and the roles of women and minorities in science.

The mathematics collection holds artifacts from slide rules and flash cards to code-breaking equipment. More than 1,000 models demonstrate some of the problems and principles of mathematics, and 80 abstract paintings by illustrator and cartoonist Crockett Johnson show his visual interpretations of mathematical theorems.

This model of a ten-key non-printing manually operated adding machine is an open wooden box that contains a metal mechanism driven by nine keys along the front. When a key is pushed down, it pushes a lever and ultimately turns gears.
Description
This model of a ten-key non-printing manually operated adding machine is an open wooden box that contains a metal mechanism driven by nine keys along the front. When a key is pushed down, it pushes a lever and ultimately turns gears. The object is a rough model, not a production machine. A loose piece may be part of the machine.
This may be an incomplete model of the adding machine patented by David Marion Rush of Louisburg, Missouri. Rush applied for a patent July 25, 1883 and was granted it January 22, 1884. This model corresponds to the patent description of Rush’s machine as it was used to enter numbers. The mechanism for recording totals, as well as the upper cover of the instrument, is lacking.
David Marion Rush was born in 1849 in Barren County, Kentucky, and moved with his family to Polk County, Missouri, in 1852. He studied in the public schools and then, for three years beginning in 1871, at a private school in Urbana, Missouri. After teaching from 1874 to 1884, he entered the patent rights business. He received two patents of his own, one for a washing machine and the other for an adding machine. From 1886 until at least 1889, he was county collector in Wright County, Missouri.
References:
David Rush. “Adding Machine,” U.S. Patent 292256, January 22, 1884.
History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889. p. 965.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
ID Number
1983.3003.056
nonaccession number
1983.3003
catalog number
1983.3003.056
By the mid-20th century, printing adding machines with a block of ten keys sold much more cheaply than full-keyboard machines. Mindful that it was losing sales, Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit set out to manufacture its own ten-key machine.
Description
By the mid-20th century, printing adding machines with a block of ten keys sold much more cheaply than full-keyboard machines. Mindful that it was losing sales, Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit set out to manufacture its own ten-key machine. The Burroughs Patent Division acquired examples and blueprints of a recently introduced British adding machine, the Summit.
This manually operated example of the Summit has a steel case painted gray, a block of 12 number keys (for the 12 digits in Sterling currency), four keys on the right, and a “COR” key on the left. The metal crank on the right has a wooden handle. A place indicator is above the keyboard. The machine allows one to enter numbers up to nine digits long and prints nine-digit totals. The printing mechanism with paper tape is at the back. The paper tape is 6 cm. (2-3/8”) wide, with a serrated edge for tearing it off. A metal plate at the top lifts off for access to the mechanism and the black ribbon. The machine has wheels on the left and the right to advance the platen.
The machine is marked on the front: Summit. It is also marked there: MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN. It has serial number: #1885. A red Burroughs Patent Department tag attached to the machine reads: #300.
Compare to 1982.0794.77.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950
ID Number
1982.0794.76
maker number
#1885
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.76
This is one of a series of adding machines and adding machine models prepared by the Patent Department of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. It is a steel mechanism for an adding machine with a column of 9 octagonal white plastic keys and two numeral wheels.
Description
This is one of a series of adding machines and adding machine models prepared by the Patent Department of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. It is a steel mechanism for an adding machine with a column of 9 octagonal white plastic keys and two numeral wheels. Keys for odd digits are concave, and for even digits, flat. Complementary digits are indicated on the keys. Mechanism for “9” key only.
A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT (/) MODEL (/) No. 534A. A metal tag on the side reads: MODEL ROOM (/) 534A.
Objects 1982.0794.04 through 1982.0794.10 were received together as Burroughs Patent model 42. This object is described in accession file as an invention of Walter J. Pasinski of Burroughs. Pasinski and other Burroughs inventors filed several patents for key-driven adding machines between 1911 and 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.06
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.06
This full-keyboard printing adding machine is manually operated. It has a metal case painted black with glass sides and green felt covering the keyboard. There are nine columns of black and white color-coded plastic keys.
Description
This full-keyboard printing adding machine is manually operated. It has a metal case painted black with glass sides and green felt covering the keyboard. There are nine columns of black and white color-coded plastic keys. At the top of each column of keys is a red button for clearing the column. To the right of the number keys are repeat and error keys. To the left are non-add, subtotal, and total keys. The crank for operating the machine is on the right side and has a metal handle. At the front of the machine are nine number wheels that show the accumulated total. The wide carriage and printing mechanism are at the back of the machine, with printing invisible to the operator. The carriage can be set at several different positions. Either a roll of paper tape or single sheets of paper may be used. Changing the ribbon requires that the operator remove the case. Extensions on the right side of the case can hold a stand, but there is no stand.
The machine is marked in the glass at the front: Burroughs (/) THIS MACHINE PROTECTED BY U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS. It is marked on a metal tag at the base of the front: No 9 - 177887. The Burroughs Style 9 was introduced in 1905.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911-1913
maker
Burroughs
ID Number
1986.0092.01
catalog number
1986.0092.01
accession number
1986.0092
This full-keyboard printing adding machine has a gray metal case and the following columns of square tan and brown keys starting from the left:1. column of 12 month keys2. two columns of number keys, ranging from 1 to 93. column of keys with abbreviated financial terms4.
Description
This full-keyboard printing adding machine has a gray metal case and the following columns of square tan and brown keys starting from the left:
1. column of 12 month keys
2. two columns of number keys, ranging from 1 to 9
3. column of keys with abbreviated financial terms
4. nine columns of number keys, each column ranging from 1 to 9.
5. two columns of function keys.
The carriage and electrical cord are missing. The 14 type bars include one for months, two for digits, one for the type of transaction, nine for the result, and one for special characters (indicating sum, subtotal, etc.)
A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #263. The machine is marked across the front above the keyboard: Burroughs. It is marked on the bottom: A7075. It is marked on the back on the inside of the case: 397.
This object was model #263 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950-1960
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.64
catalog number
1982.0794.64
accession number
1982.0794
This full keyboard non-printing manual adding machine is painted black with a green keyboard. It has black and white octagonal plastic keys. The nine columns of keys have nine keys in each column. Odd-numbered keys are concave, even-numbered ones flat.
Description
This full keyboard non-printing manual adding machine is painted black with a green keyboard. It has black and white octagonal plastic keys. The nine columns of keys have nine keys in each column. Odd-numbered keys are concave, even-numbered ones flat. Complementary digits are indicated as well as numbers. Ten windows at the front show the sum of numbers as the numbers are entered. A single key in the upper left corner controls the numeral wheel seen through the tenth window. The machine has two legs at the back which hold it up at an angle. There is a black plastic cover. Compare to Burroughs calculator.
The Burroughs calculator was sold as the Burroughs Class 5 from 1918 into the 1960s.
Reference:
American Digest of Business Machines, 1924, pp. 70-71.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1986.3039.01
catalog number
1986.3039.01
nonaccession number
1986.3039
This model of a section of a Burroughs Class 9 adding machine has a steel mechanism in a steel framework painted brown. It has one column of black plastic number keys, and one column of red and white plastic function keys.
Description
This model of a section of a Burroughs Class 9 adding machine has a steel mechanism in a steel framework painted brown. It has one column of black plastic number keys, and one column of red and white plastic function keys. There is part of a carriage, part of a printing mechanism, and a place for one spool of a ribbon. The mechanism is on a metal support that fits into a wooden stand. There is no cover for the sides.
The Burroughs Class 9 was introduced in 1926. This is model #241 Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation, although there is no departmental tag. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1926
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.51
catalog number
1982.0794.51
accession number
1982.0794
This model is a section of a Burroughs Class 1 adding machine. It has a metal, glass, and plexiglass frame with one bank of round black plastic keys, two numeral wheels at the front toward the bottom (visible through the case), and related mechanism, including a dash pot.
Description
This model is a section of a Burroughs Class 1 adding machine. It has a metal, glass, and plexiglass frame with one bank of round black plastic keys, two numeral wheels at the front toward the bottom (visible through the case), and related mechanism, including a dash pot. A paper tape holder, a carriage for the paper tape, and a crank with wooden handle are present. There is no paper tape. A steel bar attached at the base screws into a wooden stand.
The section is marked on the stand: Burroughs. A red tag attached to it reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #268.
The Burroughs Class 1 was introduced in 1895.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1895
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.68
catalog number
1982.0794.68
accession number
1982.0794
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine adds numbers with as many as 13 digits and prints 13-digit results. It is tan and brown and has 13 columns of square plastic digit keys, with nine keys in each column.
Description
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine adds numbers with as many as 13 digits and prints 13-digit results. It is tan and brown and has 13 columns of square plastic digit keys, with nine keys in each column. There also are five function keys and bars labeled “+” and “-”. The sides, front, and back of the case are missing. A narrow printing mechanism at the top of the machine has a ribbon and paper tape. It has 15 type bars. The first two print special characters and the rest print digits.
The machine is marked: Burroughs P 402 Elec. (/) A9103-20 (/) Date-Count-Normal (/) Rack #E Shelf 2. It is model #282 from the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.74
catalog number
1982.0794.74
accession number
1982.0794
This section of a Burroughs Class 4 adding machine has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a black wooden knob on the handle, and a dark brown wooden base with a felt bottom. The case is open on one side.
Description
This section of a Burroughs Class 4 adding machine has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a black wooden knob on the handle, and a dark brown wooden base with a felt bottom. The case is open on one side. Thesingle column of black plastic keys has keys numbered 1 to 9. Also part of the model are a white repeat key, part of a carriage, a paper tape holder, two numeral wheels at the front, and a metal handle.
The model has a metal support that attaches to a wooden base. This is model #243 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1912
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.53
catalog number
1982.0794.53
accession number
1982.0794
This red and black twinspool ribbon for an adding machine fits in a white cardboard case. A mark on the case reads: Addo-Flash (/) /black/Red (/) Nylon t.8.
Description
This red and black twinspool ribbon for an adding machine fits in a white cardboard case. A mark on the case reads: Addo-Flash (/) /black/Red (/) Nylon t.8. The ribbons were received with Burrroughs Series P adding machines (1987.0285.01 and 1987.0285.02) along with a Remington Rand Adding Machine (1987.0285.03).
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1987.0285.06
accession number
1987.0285
catalog number
1987.0285.06
This model of a section of a Burroughs Class 4 adding machine has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a black wooden knob on the handle, and a dark brown wooden base. The single column of black plastic keys with has keys numbered 1 to 9.
Description
This model of a section of a Burroughs Class 4 adding machine has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a black wooden knob on the handle, and a dark brown wooden base. The single column of black plastic keys with has keys numbered 1 to 9. There is a white repeat key, part of a carriage, and one spool of a ribbon.The side is of metal. At the front are two black numeral dials, and on the right is a handle. The model fits on two screws in the wooden base, but is not held tightly.
This is model #242 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1912
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.52
catalog number
1982.0794.52
accession number
1982.0794
This is a wooden dummy model of the case of a ten-key printing electric adding machine. It has black plastic keys keys and a frame, but no mechanism. The number keys are in a block with a zero bar below. Left of these are ERROR and REPEAT keys.
Description
This is a wooden dummy model of the case of a ten-key printing electric adding machine. It has black plastic keys keys and a frame, but no mechanism. The number keys are in a block with a zero bar below. Left of these are ERROR and REPEAT keys. Right of these are SUB[()TOTAL, and TOTAL keys, as well as a key stem (without a key) and a black bar. There is a place for a place indicator. A 4-inch carriage is at the back of the machine, and there are four rubber feet.
A red tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #161. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
This model, along with 1982.0794.28, was #161 in the collections of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The shape, placement and color of the function keys are different on this object than on 1982.0794.27.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.28
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.28
This printing electric adding machine has a metal case painted a grayish tan and a full keyboard of plastic keys in two shades of tan. It has ten columns of keys, with keys numbered from 1 to 9 in each column.
Description
This printing electric adding machine has a metal case painted a grayish tan and a full keyboard of plastic keys in two shades of tan. It has ten columns of keys, with keys numbered from 1 to 9 in each column. A 12” adjustable carriage is across the back, but no cover piece for the back of the carriage and no cord is present.. Adjustable sheet feeders for printing on pieces of paper are in place. The machine prints ten digits and one special character. Two additional plastic pieces were received with the machine.
The machine was model #260 in the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. It is marked across the front above the keyboard: Burroughs. It is marked on a metal tag attached to the bottom: 1880-B. It is marked on white paper tag: Burroughs P401 Elec. (/) #1880B (/) A. Williamson 3-3-54 (/) Developing Model (/) A. Williamson.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1954
maker
Burroughs Corporation
ID Number
1982.0794.62
catalog number
1982.0794.62
accession number
1982.0794
This full keyboard non-printing adding machine has a brown metal frame and mechanism with plastic keys. The eight columns of color-coded green and white octagonal keys include nine keys in each column. Odd-numbered keys are concave, even-numbered ones flat.
Description
This full keyboard non-printing adding machine has a brown metal frame and mechanism with plastic keys. The eight columns of color-coded green and white octagonal keys include nine keys in each column. Odd-numbered keys are concave, even-numbered ones flat. Complementary digits are indicated. A row of subtraction levers is below the number keys. Digits in the running total appear in a set of nine windows in front of the keys. A red button is to the right of the keyboard releases the keyboard afer a partial keystroke error has been corrected. A metal zeroing lever is on the right side. A rubber cord attaches to the back. The on/off switch is on the front at the top right.
The machine is marked on the left corner of the top of the case: K350690. It is marked on the front and back sides: Comptometer.
According to “Date of Manufacturing by Serial Number. . .,” Lewiston, Idaho: Office Machine Americana, 2002 (relying on the NOMDA “Blue Book” for May, 1975), Felt & Tarrant introduced the Model K with serial number 350000 in 1934.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
maker
Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1989.0325.03
maker number
K350690
catalog number
1989.0325.03
accession number
1989.0325
This is one of a series of adding machines and adding machine models prepared by the Patent Department of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. It is a model of a key lock for adding machines invented by Frederick Dame.
Description
This is one of a series of adding machines and adding machine models prepared by the Patent Department of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. It is a model of a key lock for adding machines invented by Frederick Dame. It includes a steel mechanism with one white plastic key, two key stems without keys, and two black-plastic rimmed numeral wheels. A complete set of nine white plastic keys with key stems is attached to the model. All the keys are octagonal. Keys for odd digits are concave, and flat for even digits. Complementary digits are indicated on the keys.
A metal tag attached to the object reads: B.A.M.CO. MODEL (/) NO. 581.
Objects 1982.0794.04 through 1982.0794.10 were received together as Burroughs Patent model 42.
Reference:
Frederick Dame, “Key Mechanism for Calculating Machines,” U.S. Patent 1,791,265, filed August 12, 1929, granted February 3, 1931.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1929
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.07
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.07
This ten-key printing manual adding machine has a steel frame painted black and ten white plastic number keys in two rows. Complementary red digits on the number keys are for subtraction. Right of the number keys are non-add and multiply keys.
Description
This ten-key printing manual adding machine has a steel frame painted black and ten white plastic number keys in two rows. Complementary red digits on the number keys are for subtraction. Right of the number keys are non-add and multiply keys. To the left are a tabulating key (used for automatic carriage shifting in double column work), a subtract key,and a back space key. Above the keyboard is a place indicator for up to 13 places. Left of this is a correction bar to clear entries. Total, subtotal, and release keys are mounted above and to the right. One lever that may be set on “HAND” or “MOTOR”, another for split or normal addition.
A silver-colored metal window is above the keyboard, with printing mechanism and non-print key behind. The red and black ribbon moves in front of the 9” carriage. This carriage has a bell on the left side. The paper tape holder and paper tape are behind the carriage. The metal handle is on the right. It has a wooden knob once covered with plastic. Metal clips placed in the back of the carriage set the tab stops. One clip has detached from the carriage. Printing is either single or double-spaced.
The machine is marked on the front: DALTON (/) CINCINNATI, OHIO. (/) U.S.A. It is marked on the carriage: Dalton (/) ADDING, (/) LISTING AND (/) CALCULATING MACHINE. The serial number, on a tag on the right side under the handle, is: 2-102212.
Reference:
J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, pp. 40, 536.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1921
maker
Dalton Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1986.0977.01
maker number
2-102212
accession number
1986.0977
catalog number
1986.0977.01
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a black metal case, black and white color-coded round plastic keys, a rubber carriage, rubber feet, and a metal paper tape holder at the back. There is a hole for a handle but no handle.
Description
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a black metal case, black and white color-coded round plastic keys, a rubber carriage, rubber feet, and a metal paper tape holder at the back. There is a hole for a handle but no handle. There are ten columns of keys, with nine keys in each column, as well as a column with five function keys and a large “+” bar.
A red paper tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #208. A metal tag attached to the keyboard reads: 139-243. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs. A white paper tag attached to the object reads: STY 10 (/) TALLY ROLL (/) MACH (/) TAG (/) 139-243. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
This example was #208 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. The Burroughs Series P was introduced in 1949, and this machine presumably dates from about that time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1949
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.39
catalog number
1982.0794.39
accession number
1982.0794
This adding machine model has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a metal brace, and a dark brown wooden base. The case is open on one side. The single column of black plastic keys has keys numbered 1 to 9. The keyboard is painted dark green.
Description
This adding machine model has a metal mechanism with a black metal case and handle, a metal brace, and a dark brown wooden base. The case is open on one side. The single column of black plastic keys has keys numbered 1 to 9. The keyboard is painted dark green. There is a white repeat key, part of a carriage, a paper tape holder, a compartment for one reel of a ribbon, and two numeral wheels. The model has a metal support that attaches to a wooden base.
A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912. This is model #244 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1912
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.54
catalog number
1982.0794.54
accession number
1982.0794
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a steel mechanism, a carriage, a keyboard with red, black and white plastic keys, a handle, and a paper tape holder.
Description
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a steel mechanism, a carriage, a keyboard with red, black and white plastic keys, a handle, and a paper tape holder. It is the model for a machine used to enter dates and numbers into a bank passbook.
There is no outer casing. There are nine columns of round, color-coded black and white keys numbered from 1 up to 9 in each column. Right of the number keys is a column of keys for subtotal, total, number, repeat, and error. Left of the number keys is a column of red keys that indicates the type of transaction. The machine has a wide carriage (12 inches) and 11 type bars in a printing mechanism. Four type wheels which can be set to a month, day, and year. The ribbon is black.
A red paper tag attached to the object reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #70. A metal tag attached to the object reads: B.A.M.CO. (/) MODEL (/) N0899. The machine was model #70 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.15
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.15
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a block of 12 columns of square tan and white color-coded plastic number keys with a column of function keys to the right. Right of these are two function bars.
Description
This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a block of 12 columns of square tan and white color-coded plastic number keys with a column of function keys to the right. Right of these are two function bars. A narrow carriage, with printing mechanism and paper tape, is at the back. There are 14 type bars in the printing mechanism, and a black ribbon. The machine has no case. There is power cord at the back and a loose gray piece.
A red tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #141. It was model #141 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. A metal tag under the keyboard reads: 3448. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.24
catalog number
1982.0794.24
accession number
1982.0794
This small seven-wheeled stylus-operated non-printing adding machine has a metal case painted green and covered with felt on the back. It sits in a brown bakelite stand. A stylus fits in the ten holes in each wheel.
Description
This small seven-wheeled stylus-operated non-printing adding machine has a metal case painted green and covered with felt on the back. It sits in a brown bakelite stand. A stylus fits in the ten holes in each wheel. Placing the stylus in the proper hole and and rotating it enters a digit. The sum appears in seven windows above the holes. The two rightmost and the two leftmost wheels are brass. The three middle ones are steel. The device has no zeroing mechanism and the stylus is missing.
The instrument is marked on the front: THE (/) Lightning (/) ADDING (/) MACHINE (/) CO. (/) LOS ANGELES (/) CALIF. U.S.A.. It is marked with intertwined letters on the back of the stand: GIM.
This machine is from the calculating machine collection of Myron R. Smith.
References:
Office Appliances, January, 1948, vol. 87, p. 225 - sold for $12.95 - also March, 1948, vol. 87, p. 208.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1948
maker
Lightning Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1989.0325.02
accession number
1989.0325
catalog number
1989.0325.02
This full-keyboard non-printing key-driven adding machine has twelve columns of plastic keys numbered from 1 to 9. The rightmost column has 10 and 11 keys at the top and 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 keys below. Fourteen result wheels are at the front.
Description
This full-keyboard non-printing key-driven adding machine has twelve columns of plastic keys numbered from 1 to 9. The rightmost column has 10 and 11 keys at the top and 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 keys below. Fourteen result wheels are at the front. A black cloth cover and numerous spare parts are present.
A red paper tag attached to the machine reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #232. The machine is marked on the front: Burroughs (/) DETROIT, U.S.A.. A metal tag below the keys reads: 209662. A white paper tag attached to the machine reads: Reference Machine (/) 9 Columns (/) Style 520 - 1/4 Pence Const. (/) Style 13. A mark on the cover reads: BURROUGHS.
This was model 232 from the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. There are numerous associated parts.
The shape of the front of this instrument is that of an early Burroughs calculator. The number of columns would be that of a Burroughs model 550, although the tag refers to a Burroughs 520. From 1915, the shape of the front of the Burroughs calculator was quite different.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1913
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.50
catalog number
1982.0794.50
accession number
1982.0794
This full keyboard printing electric adding machine has a black metal frame and ten columns of round black and white color-coded plastic keys. No complementary digits are indicated.
Description
This full keyboard printing electric adding machine has a black metal frame and ten columns of round black and white color-coded plastic keys. No complementary digits are indicated. Function keys are to the left of the number keys, with an addition bar and further function keys to the right. A row of number dials is at the front of the machine, and a row of five smaller dials on the left between the keyboard and these dials. This may be a revolution counter.
The machine has a motor beneath it, and a wide carriage and printing mechanism at the back. The printer ribbon has spools between the keyboard and the carriage and also extends from the right side. A metal plug on the right blocks the hole where the handle would go. The machine has a black rubber cord. The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912. According to McCarthy, it was intended to be used in multiplication, and the carriage could be shifted to the right or to the left to accomplish this. This object does not correspond precisely to the Burroughs Class 4 as described in McCarthy.
This is model # 195 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. It is marked on the front: Burroughs. It has a red paper tag that reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #195. There is presently no stand.
Reference:
J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 34.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1912
maker
Burroughs Adding Machine Company
ID Number
1982.0794.36
catalog number
1982.0794.36
accession number
1982.0794

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