Dalton Extra Special Adding Machine

Dalton Extra Special Adding Machine

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
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.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
adding machine
Other Terms
adding machine; Ten-Key, Listing, Manual
date made
1920
maker
Dalton Adding Machine Company
place made
United States: Ohio, Cincinnati
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
ID Number
MA.323329
accession number
251557
maker number
73430
catalog number
323329
Credit Line
Transfer from Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory
subject
Mathematics
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Adding Machines
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.