Dalton Extra Special Adding Machine

Description:

This ten-key printing manually operated adding machine has an black aluminum frame with a steel keyboard painted green. The white plastic digit keys are arranged in two rows and marked with digits and their complements (complements are in red). The three red function keys are makred repeat, total, and correction. The metal crank with handle is on the right side. The color-coded place indicator is above the keyboard. One may enter numbers up to nine digits long and print up to nine digit results. The printing mechanism, which held a two-colored ribbon, is on the top of the machine. The “four-inch” carriage has a paper tape dispenser behind it, but no paper tape. Above the platen is a serrated edge for tearing the paper tape. The machine has four rubber feet.

A mark on the front reads: Dalton (/) ADDING, (/) LISTING AND (/) CALCULATING MACHINE. Another mark there reads: STOCKWELL & BINNEY. A brass tag attached at the bottom front reads: Dalton (/) ADDING (/) MACHINE (/) CO. (/) REG. U.S. OFF. It also reads: PAT. SEPT. 24, 1912 NO. 1039130 (/) PAT. DEC. 31, 1912 NO. 1049057 (/) PAT. DEC. 31, 1912 NO. 1049093 (/) OTHER PATENTS ISSUED AND PENDING (/) CINCINNATI,OHIO(EAST NORWOOD). A metal tag attached at the bottom on the back gives the serial number: NO 73430.

The machine was transferred to the Smithsonian collections from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Table Mountain, California. Stockwell & Binney is the name of a California chain of stationery stores.

Compare to MA.335299 (that machine lacks a place indicator).

Reference:

J. H. McCarthy, American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 536.

Date Made: 1920

Maker: Dalton Adding Machine Company

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Ohio, Cincinnati

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Adding Machines, Science & Mathematics

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Transfer from Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MA.323329Accession Number: 251557Maker Number: 73430Catalog Number: 323329

Object Name: adding machineOther Terms: adding machine; Ten-Key, Listing, Manual

Physical Description: aluminum (overall material)rubber (overall material)plastic (overall material)steel (overall material)Measurements: overall: 34.5 cm x 31 cm x 37.5 cm; 13 19/32 in x 12 7/32 in x 14 3/4 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-007f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_690127

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