By 1921 the National Cash Register Company of Dayton, Ohio, dominated the cash register business in the United States. That year, it expanded its offerings to include a form of register, called the Class 2000, that could accumulate up to twenty-seven individual totals and three grand totals. The results of this accounting machine were printed both on a proof sheet inside and by one or more printing mechanisms at the front. Versions of the machine were designed for a variety of stores, banks, hotels ,and offices. Machines were individually built to order.
This example of the machine dates from the 1930s. It has a metal case, mechanism, and stand. The case and stand are painted black. The printing mechanism is at the front left and has space to print two forms simultaneously. A set of three rows of eight keys, numbered from 1 to 24 and located at the front left, determines the line on which a number will print on a form.
The back part of the case is rounded like a contemporary cash register. It has a set of six columns of black and white plastic digit keys on the right, which are designed for entering identification numbers.
At the center left are seven columns of color-coded keys for entering numbers, with nine keys in each column. Between these sets of keys are a motor bar, a lever which can be set according to the operation to be performed, and three partial columns of function keys. Left of the digit keys are two columns showing the results accumulated in 15 different registers. Left of this is an on-off switch. The machine is shown in one photograph with an operating crank on the right side. It also has an electric cord and a plastic cover.
A mark at the center front reads: National. A metal tag at the front left reads: 2-13304 (/) A2157(64UP).
According to notes in the accession file, this device was built for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Beneficial and Relief Association.
Compare MA.334904.
References:
Business Machines and Equipment Digest, 1928, Section 8.
NCR News, 1924 (there are articles about the development of the Class 2000 in the May, June, July/August, September and October issues).
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