Pneumatic tubes saw extensive use in multilevel department stores and banks during the mid-19th century. Prior to the popularization of cash registers in the 1890s, pneumatic tubes provided efficient transport of cash from the clerks at their sales booths to the centralized cash office, where change could be made and sent back. After the introduction of cash registers, pneumatic tubes were also used to securely transport cash to the banking office. This Lamson Delivery Terminal served as the exit to the pneumatic system where the tubes would exit and queue if needed.
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