Burroughs Payroll Segregator

Description:

In the first half of the 20th century, many workers were paid in cash. Businessmen needed to know the coins and bills they would need to meet their payroll. This device, invented by John Magnus of Burroughs, was designed to carry out such calculations. It has seven columns of black and white color-coded plastic keys. The keys in each column are numbered from 1 to 9. The front of the machine has ten sets of numeral wheels labeled with denominations of money from 1 cent to $10. Knobs on the right zero the wheels.

A red paper tag attached to the object is marked: PATENT DEPT. (/) #45. The machine is marked on the front: BURROUGHS (/) PAY ROLL (/) SEGREGATOR. A metal tag attached to the base of the keyboard reads: B.A.M.CO. (/) MODEL (/) NO. 401.

Compare to 1982.0194.12.

According to the accession file, “This is the original model of Payroll Segregator from which the patent drawings were prepared . . .” The object was model #45 in the collection of the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.

Reference:

John Magnus, “Adding Machine,” U.S. Patent 1,699,540, filed January 21, 1921, issued January 22, 1929.

Date Made: 1920

Maker: Burroughs Adding Machine Company

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Michigan, Detroit

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

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

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Burroughs Corporation

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1982.0794.11Catalog Number: 1982.0794.11Accession Number: 1982.0794

Object Name: adding machine

Physical Description: glass (overall material)plastic (overall material)metal (overall material)Measurements: overall: 15.6 cm x 17.5 cm x 38.4 cm; 6 5/32 in x 6 7/8 in x 15 1/8 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0f07-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_690658

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