Summit Burroughs Adding Machine

Summit Burroughs Adding Machine

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Description
The Burroughs Adding Machine Company, long a manufacturer of full-keyboard adding machines, faced stiff competition from less expensive ten-key adding machines. In response, the firm introduced its own versions of the machine, based on the British Summit. This is an example.
This electric printing adding machine will add nine-digit-numbers up to nine-digit totals. A tenth key in the printing mechanism is for symbols. The machine has a brown metal case, 11 white number keys arranged in a block (for British currency), a white zero bar, a column of four black function keys, a black bar, and a black correction key. The function keys are labeled ST, T, -, and R. The place indicator is above the keyboard. The printing mechanism, paper tape, and motor are toward the back of the machine. Part of the case lifts off to give access to the ribbon and printing mechanism. A serrated edge provides for tearing the paper tape, and knobs on the right and left advance the tape. A ribbon and brown cloth-wrapped cord are in place. The machine is marked in back of the keyboard: Burroughs. It has serial number 1085. It is marked on a red tag: PATENT DEPT. (/) #331. It is marked on a white tag: SUMMIT BURROUGHS STERLING (/) #1985. A metal tag attached to the object reads: DONATED TO (/) The Smithsonian Institution (/) by (/) Burroughs Corporation.
Compare to 1982.0794.76, 1982.0974.77, and 1982.0794.84.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
adding machine
date made
ca 1950
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
paper (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 22.2 cm x 26 cm x 43 cm; 8 3/4 in x 10 1/4 in x 16 15/16 in
ID Number
1982.0794.85
accession number
1982.0794
catalog number
1982.0794.85
Credit Line
Gift of Burroughs Corporation
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Adding Machines
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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