Jeffers Adding Machine

Description:

This U.S. patent model for a lever-set non-printing adding machine has a frame of two brown round end pieces joined by a central shaft and by two pieces of brass at the outside. The shaft carries six toothed wheels that may be rotated with the fingers. Each wheel has 30 teeth and is joined to a brass ring on its right. Around the rim of each ring is a slip of paper with the digits from 0 to 9 printed on it three times. One third of each ring is covered by a metal piece which has a window at the bottom and the digits from 1 to 9 engraved on it. To enter digits, wheels are rotated forward the distance indicated by these digits. Through the action of a carry mechanism, the total appears in the windows.

Milton C. Jeffers, who took out this patent in 1863, was a resident of New York, N.Y. He is probably the Milton C. Jeffers who lived from about 1823 until dying in New York City in 1896, and who took out two further patents for agricultural machinery. A Milton C. Jeffers is listed in New York City directories of the period as an agent and as a broker.

References:

U.S. Patent 40,105, September 29, 1863.

U.S. Patent 74,379, February 11, 1868.

U.S. Patent 108,484, October 18, 1870.

Date Made: 1864

Patentee: Jeffers, Milton C.Maker: Jeffers, Milton C.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York, New York CityPlace Patented: United States: New York, New York City

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

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

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MA.309322Accession Number: 89797Catalog Number: 309322

Object Name: adding machineObject Type: Patent Model

Physical Description: brass (overall material)paper (overall material)plastic? (overall material)steel? (overall material)Measurements: overall: 10 cm x 11.5 cm x 10 cm; 3 15/16 in x 4 17/32 in x 3 15/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-21a6-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_690845

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