Olivetti Multisumma 22 Adding Machine

Description:

This ten-key listing electric adding machine has a blue-green plastic case with a black plastic cover for the paper tape and two-color ribbon. It has three rows of white plastic digit keys, with two bars below these, one for entering single zeros and the other for double zeros. Right of the digit keys are total, subtotal, subtraction, and entry bars. Left of the digit keys is a column of function keys, with a lever at the top and at the bottom of the column. Left of these are three further function keys and a white key which may be depressed. Above the keyboard is a place indicator for digits being entered. Numbers of up to 12 digits may be entered.

Behind the keyboard is the printing mechanism, which includes one bar for printing special characters. Results with up to 12 digits may be printed. There is a paper tape 3” (7.7 cm.) wide, with a plastic serrated edge for tearing it. A lever at the right releases tension on the platen. A plug extends from the back of the machine. The machine has a dark gray cloth cover laminated with plastic.

A mark on top of the machine reads: olivetti-underwood. a mark on a metal plate attached to the back reads: Multisumma 22 Olivetti (/) MADE IN ITALY - FABRIQUE EN ITALIE. The serial number on the bottom is M 346630.

According to Shapira, Olivetti purchased a controlling share of Underwood in 1959. The Olivetti Multisumma 20, apparently a later machine than the Multisumma 22, was introduced in 1965.

Reference:

N. Shapira, Design Process Olivetti 1908-1978, 1979, p. 251, 252.

Date Made: ca 1960

Maker: Olivetti-Underwood

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: ItalyItaly

Subject: Mathematics

Subject:

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

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Jack Lifshutz

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1997.0237.01Catalog Number: 1997.0237.01Accession Number: 1997.0237Maker Number: M 346630

Object Name: adding machine

Physical Description: metal (overall material)plastic (overall material)rubber (overall material)cloth (overall material)Measurements: overall: 28.2 cm x 22.3 cm x 37.2 cm; 11 3/32 in x 8 25/32 in x 14 21/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-1959-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_692289

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