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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..09d2a10 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69386 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69386) diff --git a/old/69386-0.txt b/old/69386-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8d28a4f..0000000 --- a/old/69386-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4947 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Origin of modern calculating machines, -by J. A. V. Turck - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Origin of modern calculating machines - -Author: J. A. V. Turck - -Release Date: November 19, 2022 [eBook #69386] - -Language: English - -Produced by: deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIGIN OF MODERN CALCULATING -MACHINES *** - - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - - Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ - in the original text. - Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. - Illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs. - Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected. - - - - - Origin of Modern Calculating - Machines - - A chronicle of the evolution of the - principles that form the generic - make-up of the Modern - Calculating Machine - - BY - J. A. V. TURCK - Member of The Western Society of Engineers - - CHICAGO, 1921 - _Published under the auspices of_ - The Western Society of Engineers - - Copyright, 1921, by - J. A. V. Turck - -[Illustration: Stone Age Calculating] - - - - -Foreword - - -There is nothing romantic in figures, and the average man takes little -interest in any subject pertaining to them. As a result of this -antipathy, there is plenty of historic evidence of man’s endeavor to -minimize the hated drudgery of calculation. - -While history shows that, from prehistoric man down to the present age, -human ingenuity has turned to mechanical means to overcome the brain -fatigue of arithmetical figuring, it is within quite recent years that -he has really succeeded in devising means more rapid than the human -brain. - -Of this modern product little has been written, except in disconnected -articles that have in no case offered a complete understanding as to -who were the great benefactors of mankind that gave to the world the -first concrete production of these modern principles of mechanical -calculation. - -The writer, believing that there are many who would be interested to -know the true facts relative to this subject, has given to the public, -in that which follows, a chronicle of the evolution of the principles -disclosed in these modern machines, along with the proofs that form the -foundation for the story in a way that all may understand. - -Although the subject has been handled in a way that makes it -unnecessary for the reader to be carried through a jangle of tiresome -mechanical construction, the writer believes that there are many -interested in the detail workings of these machines, and has for that -reason provided an interesting and simple description of the working -of each illustrated machine, which may be read by those who wish, or -skipped over, if the reader desires, without the danger of losing -knowledge of the relation of each of these machines to the Art. - -[Illustration] - - - - -Chapters - - - PAGE - Foreword 1 - Types of Ancient and Modern Machines 5 - The Early Key-Driven Art 17 - The Key-Driven Calculator 50 - Early Efforts in the Recording Machine Art 79 - First Practical Recorders 111 - Introduction of the Modern Accounting Machine 144 - The High-Speed Calculator 149 - The Improved Recorder 163 - The Bookkeeping and Billing Machine 174 - A Closing Word 190 - - - - -Illustrations - - - PAGE - Frontispiece, “Stone Age Calculating” - One of the Pascal Machines 10 - Photo of Blaise Pascal 11 - Parmelee Patent Drawings 16 - Hill Patent Drawings 23 - Chapin Patent Drawings 28 - From the Stark Patent Drawings 32 - From the Robjohn Patent Drawings 36 - From Drawings of Bouchet Patent 314,561 40 - Drawings of Spalding Patent No. 293,809 46 - “Macaroni Box” Model 53 - Photo of Dorr E. Felt 55 - The First “Comptometer” 57 - From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 371,496 58 - Bill for First Manufacturing Tools of the Comptometer 68 - Early Comptometer 69 - Letter from Geo. W. Martin 71 - Testimonial 72 - Testimonial 73 - Letters from Elliott and Rosecrans 74 - From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 133,188 78 - From Drawings of Baldwin Patent No. 159,244 83 - Baldwin Machine 83 - From Drawings of Pottin Patent No. 312,014 88 - From Drawings of Burroughs Patent No. 388,118 94 - Photo of Wm. S. Burroughs 95 - Drawings of Ludlum Patent No. 384,373 104 - From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 405,024 112 - Testimonial 117 - Felt Recording and Listing Machine 118 - From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 465,255 121 - Felt Tabulator 126 - One of the Early “Comptographs” 130 - Photo of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz 132 - Leibnitz Calculator 133 - From Drawings of Burroughs’ Patents Nos. 504,963 and 505,078 136 - Burroughs’ Recorder 137 - From the February 1908 Issue of Office Appliances Magazine 142 - The High-Speed Calculator 148 - Two Pages from Wales Adding Machine Co. Booklet 165 - Moon-Hopkins Billing and Bookkeeping Machine 176 - Napier’s Bones 179 - From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 130,404 180 - Photo of John Napier 181 - From Drawings of Bollee Patent No. 556,720 186 - - - - -The Modern Accounting Machine - - -The term “adding machine” or “calculating machine” to most of us -represents the machine we have seen in the bank. The average person is -not familiar with the different types of accounting machines, to say -nothing of the many uses to which they are put; but he has a vague idea -that to hold any value they should produce a printed record, he doesn’t -know why and he hasn’t stopped to reason why; but those he has seen in -the bank do print, and any machine the bank uses, to his mind, must be -all right. - -There are, of course, people who do know the different types of -accounting machines, and are familiar with their special uses, but -there are very few who are familiar with the true history of the modern -accounting machine. - -[Sidenote: _General knowledge lacking_] - -Articles written by those not familiar with the true facts relative to -the art of accounting machines have wrought confusion. Their errors -have been copied and new errors added, thus increasing the confusion. -Again, claims made in trade advertisements and booklets are misleading, -with the result that the truth is but little known. - -These facts, and the psychological effect of seeing a certain type of -machine in the bank would lead the average man to believe that the -recording-adding machine was the only practical machine; and also (as -someone stated in the December, 1915, issue of the Geographic Magazine) -that Burroughs was the inventor of the recording-adding machine. - -Although the history of accounting machines dates way back into -the tenth century, the modern accounting machines are of quite -recent origin, and are especially distinguished by the presence of -depressable keys. The keys in these machines act as a means of gauging -the actuation which determines the value in calculation, whether the -machine is key-driven or key-set with a crank or motor drive. - -These modern machines, which come within the classification of -key-driven and key-set, have their respective special uses. - -[Sidenote: _Key-driven machine first of the modern machines_] - -The key-driven machine, which was the first produced of these two -types of modern machines, does not print, and is used for all forms of -calculation, but is generally behind the scenes in the accounting rooms -of all lines of business, and for that reason is not so well known as -the key-set crank-operated or motor-driven machine, which is designed -to print and is always in full view in the bank where it is used to -print your statement of account from the vouchers you have issued. - -When we stop to analyze the qualities of these two types of machines, -we find that each has its place and that neither may truly serve to -displace the other. The organization of each is designed with reference -to the special work it was intended to do. - -The calculating machine, having only to perform the work of -revolving the numeral wheels in calculating addition, subtraction, -multiplication and division in its many forms and combinations, may -be key-driven (on account of the slight mechanical resistance met with -in action), and thus, as a one-motion machine, requiring only the -depression of the keys, may also be much more rapid of manipulation -than the two-motion recording-adding machine which, after depressing -the keys for each item, requires the secondary operation of pulling a -crank forward or operating a push bar that connects the motor. - -The recording-adding machine being designed to print the items and -answers of addition, requires power for the printing which cannot be -supplied by key depression. Thus an extra means for supplying that -power must be provided in the form of a crank lever, or in the latest -machines by a motor. The keys in such machines serve only as digital -control to gauge the setting of mechanism which prints the items and -adds them together. The secondary motion operates the mechanism to -print and add and finally to clear the machine for the setting up of -the next item. The recording of added columns of figures requires that -the answer must always be printed. This demands special operation of -devices provided for that purpose, which also adds to the time spent -in the operation of such machines as compared with the key-driven -calculator. - -[Sidenote: _Recording, the primary feature of adding machines that -print_] - -To state which of these two types of machines is the more useful would -cause a shower of comment, and has nothing to do with the object of -this article. Suffice it to say that where a printed record of items -added together with their answer is required for filing purposes, -or to bring together loose items like those in your bank statement, -the recording-adding machine serves; but when rapid calculation in -addition, multiplication, subtraction or division, or when combinations -of these forms of calculation are required, the key-driven calculator -is the practical machine for such work. - -Although the key-driven calculator is generally not so well known, it -is, as stated, the oldest of the modern accounting machines, and its -usefulness places it in the accounting room, where it is oft-times -found employed by the hundreds in figuring up the day’s work of -accounting. - -[Sidenote: _Validity and priority of invention_] - -The purpose of this book is based wholly upon showing the validity and -priority of invention which constitute true contributions to the Art of -these two types of modern accounting machines; to place the facts for -once and all time before the public in such a way that they may judge -for themselves to whom the honor is due and thus settle the controversy -that exists. - -The quibbling of court contests over the terminology of claims of -patents owned by the various inventors have been set aside and only -the true contributions to the Art which pertain to the fundamental -principles that have made the modern machines possible, are here dealt -with. - -The dates of patents on inoperative or impractical machines have from -time to time been held up to the public as instances of priority of -invention; but when the validity of these patents, as furnishing any -real contributions to the Art, is questioned, they are not found to -hold the theme or principle that made the modern machines possible, and -as inventions, fade into obscurity. - -[Illustration: _Figure 1_] - -[Illustration: _Figure 2_ One of the Pascal Machines] - -The Art of either the calculating machine or the adding-recording -machine is not new; it is, as a matter of fact, very old. As before -stated, the Art of “accounting machine” dates back to the tenth -century, but the first authentic evidence of a working machine is -extant in models made by Pascal in 1642 (see illustration). - - -THE PASCAL MACHINE - -Referring to the illustration, Fig. 1, of Pascal’s machine on the -opposite page, it will be noted that there are a series of square -openings in the top of the casing; under these openings are drums, each -numbered on its cylindrical surface. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Pascal’s invention_] - -As the machine illustrated was made to figure English currency, the two -right-hand wheels are numbered for pence and shillings, while the six -wheels to the left are numbered from 1 to 9 and 0 for pounds. - -[Illustration: Blaise Pascal] - -The pounds register-drums, or numeral wheels, are each operated by a -train of gearing connecting them with a ten-armed turnstile wheel which -form the hub and spokes of what appears to be a series of wheels on the -top of the casing. While the spokes and hub are movable, the rims of -these wheels are stationary and are numbered from 1 to 9 and 0. - -The geared relation between the turnstile wheels and the numeral wheels -is such that rotating a turnstile will give like rotation to its -numeral wheel. - -Assuming that the numeral wheel of any one of the different orders -registered 0 through its sight opening and the turnstile of the same -order was moved one spoke of a rotation, it would move the wheel so -that the 0 would disappear and the figure 1 would appear; now if we -should move the same turnstile three more spokes the numeral wheel -would move likewise three spaces and the 4 would appear. - -A stop in the form of a finger reaching over the spokes is provided -to stop the turnstile at the right point so that the figures on the -numeral wheels may register properly with the sight openings in the -casing. - -[Sidenote: _Constructional features of the Pascal machine_] - -The figures on the wheel rims fast to the casing are arranged -anti-clockwise to register with the space between the spokes, the 0 -registering with the first space, the 1 with the second space and so -on around the wheel. Thus by use of the finger or a stylo inserted in -a space opposite the number to be added, the operator may move the -spoked wheel or turnstile clockwise until stopped by the stop finger. -By repeated selection and operation for each figure to be added, the -wheels will be revolved through their cycles of rotation caused by the -accumulation. - -As the numeral wheels complete each rotation the 0 will appear, so -that a registration of the tens must be made. Pascal provided for the -accumulation of the tens by automatically turning the wheel of next -higher order one point through the action of the lower wheel. - -The novel means employed for this transfer of the tens consisted of -a one-step ratchet device operated by a pin in the train of gearing -connected with the lower numeral wheel, which, as the lower wheel -passed from 9 to 0, forced the lever to which the ratchet pawl was -attached in a direction to cause the gearing of the higher numeral -wheel to be ratcheted forward far enough to add one to the higher -numeral wheel. - -The direct actuation of a numbered wheel through its various degrees of -rotation and the secondary feature of effecting a one-step movement to -the numbered wheel of higher order (which seems to have been originated -by Pascal) is the foundation on which nearly all the calculating -machines have since been constructed to calculate the combinations -of the Arabian numerals represented in Addition, Multiplication, -Subtraction and Division. - -In Fig. 2 of the illustration of Pascal’s machine, the machine has been -reversed, and the bottom of the casing, which is hinged, thrown back, -showing the numeral wheels and gearing of the different orders and the -transfer levers for the carry of the tens. - -[Sidenote: _Increased capacity of modern calculator_] - -The Art of the modern machines is far removed from the older Art by -its greatly increased capacity for rapid calculation which is found -emanating from the provision of keys as the means of manipulation. - -To the unsophisticated, such a simple thing as applying keys to the -ancient type of calculating machines that have been made and used for -centuries, would seem but a simple mechanical application that the -ordinary mechanic could accomplish. But it was too great a problem for -the many renowned inventors of the older Art to solve. - -Even though the use of depressable keys was common to many machines, -especially the piano, they knew that the organized make-up of their -machines could scarcely stand, without error, the slow action received -from the crank motion or other means employed as manipulating devices. -To place it within the power of an operator to operate their machines -at such a speed as would obtain in the sudden striking of a key would -result in chaos. - -[Sidenote: _Patent office a repository of ineffectual efforts_] - -There is no room for doubt that some of these early inventors had -the wish or desire to produce such a key-driven machine and may have -attempted to produce one. But as they lacked the advantage of an -institution like the Patent Office in which they could leave a record -of their inoperative inventions, and in view of the fact that they were -dependent on producing an operating machine for credit, there is no -authentic proof that they made attempts in this line. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Parmelee Patent Drawings] - - - - -The Early Key-Driven Art - - -M. Le Colonel D’Ocagne, Ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées, Professeur à -l’École des Ponts et Chaussées, Répétiteur à l’École Polytechnique, in -his “Le Calcul simplifie,” a historical review of calculating devices -and machines, refers to the key-driven machine as having first made its -appearance in the Schilt machine of 1851, but that the Art reached its -truly practical form in America. In the latter part of his statement -the professor is correct, but as to the first appearance of the -key-driven machine the U. S. Patent Office records show that a patent -was issued to D. D. Parmelee in 1850 for a key-driven adding machine -(see illustration). - - -THE PARMELEE MACHINE - -[Sidenote: _First attempt to use depressable keys for adding was made -in America_] - -By referring to the illustration of the Parmelee machine reproduced -from the drawings of the patent, the reader will notice that the -patentee deviated from the established principle of using numeral -wheels. In place of numeral wheels a long ratchet-toothed bar has been -supplied, the flat faces of which are numbered progressively from the -top to the bottom. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Parmelee machine_] - -As shown in Fig. 2 of these drawings, a spring-pressed ratchet pawl -marked k, engages the teeth of the ratchet or numeral bar. The pawl k, -is pivoted to a lever-constructed device marked E, the plan of which -is shown in Fig. 3. This lever device is pivoted and operated by the -keys which are provided with arms d, so arranged that when any one of -the keys is depressed the arm contacts with and operates the lever -device and its pawl k to ratchet the numeral bar upwards. - -Another spring-pressed ratchet pawl marked m (see Fig. 2) is mounted -on the bottom of the casing and serves to hold the numeral bar from -returning after a key-depression. - -It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the keys extend through the top of -the casing in progressively varying heights. This variation is such -as to allow the No. 1 key to ratchet up one tooth of the numeral bar, -the No. 2 key two teeth, etc., progressively. By this method a limited -column of digits could be added up by depressing the keys corresponding -to the digits and the answer could be read from the lowest tooth of the -numeral bar that protruded through the top of the casing. - -It is evident that if the Parmelee machine was ever used to add with, -the operator would have to use a pussyfoot key-stroke or the numeral -bar would over-shoot and give an erroneous answer, as no provision was -made to overcome the momentum that could be given the numeral bar in an -adding action. - -[Sidenote: _Foreign digit adders_] - -[Sidenote: _Single digit adders lack capacity_] - -The foreign machines of the key-driven type were made by V. Schilt, -1851; F. Arzberger, 1866; Stetner, 1882; Bagge, 1882; d’Azevedo, 1884; -Petetin, 1885; Maq Meyer, 1886. These foreign machines, like that of -Parmelee, according to M. le Colonel d’Ocagne, were limited to the -capacity of adding a single column of digits at a time. That is, either -a column of units or tens or hundreds, etc., at a time. Such machines, -of course, required the adding first of all the units, and a note made -of the total; then the machine must be cleared and the tens figure of -the total, and hundreds, if there be one, must then be added or carried -over to the tens column the same as adding single columns mentally. - -On account of these machines having only a capacity for adding one -order or column of digits, the unit value 9 was the greatest item that -could be added at a time. Thus, if the overflow in adding the units -column or any other column amounted to more than one place, it required -a multiple of key-depressions to put it on the register. For example, -suppose the sum of adding the units columns should be 982, it would -require the depression of the 9-key ten times and then the 8-key to be -struck, to put the 98 on the machine. This order of manipulation had to -be repeated for each denominational column of figures. - -Another method that could be used in the manipulation of these -single-order or digit-adding machines was to set down the sum of each -order as added with its units figure arranged relative to the order it -represents the sum of, and then mentally add such sums (see example -below) the same as you would set down the sums in multiplication and -add them together. - -Example of method that may be used with single column adder. - - 982 - 563 - 384 - 125 - ------- - 170012 - -Such machines, of course, never became popular because of their limited -capacity, which required many extra movements and caused mental strain -without offering an increase in speed of calculation as compared with -expert mental calculation. There were a number of patents issued in the -United States on machines of this class which may well be named single -digit adders. - -[Sidenote: _Some early U.S. patents on single-digit adding machines_] - -The machines of this type which were patented in the United States, -preceding the first practical multiple order modern machine, were -patented by D. D. Parmelee, 1850; W. Robjohn, 1872; D. Carroll, 1876; -Borland & Hoffman, 1878; M. Bouchet, 1883; A. Stetner, 1883; Spalding, -1884; L. M. Swem, 1885 and 1886; P. T. Lindholm, 1886; and B. F. -Smith, 1887. All of these machines varied in construction but not in -principle. Some were really operative and others inoperative, but all -lacked what may be termed useful capacity. - -To those not familiar with the technical features of the key-driven -calculating machine Art, it would seem that if a machine could be made -to add one column of digits, it would require no great invention or -ingenuity to arrange such mechanisms in a plurality of orders. But the -impossibility of effecting such a combination without exercising a high -degree of invention will become evident as the reader becomes familiar -with the requirements, which are best illustrated through the errors -made by those who tried to produce such a machine. - -As stated, the first authentic knowledge we have of an actual machine -for adding is extant in models made by Pascal in 1642, which were all -multiple-order machines, and the same in general as that shown in the -illustration, page 10. - -[Sidenote: _Calculating machines in use abroad for centuries_] - -History shows that Europe and other foreign countries have been using -calculating machines for centuries. Like that of Pascal’s, they were -all multiple-order machines, and, although not key-driven, they were -capable of adding a number of columns or items of six to eight places -at once without the extra manipulation described as necessary with -single-order digit adding machines. A number of such machines were -made in the United States prior to the first practical multiple-order -key-driven calculator. - -[Sidenote: _First key-driven machines no improvement to the Art_] - -This fact and the fact that the only operative key-driven machines -made prior to 1887 were single-digit adders are significant proof that -the backward step from such multiple-order machines to a single-order -key-driven machine was from the lack of some unknown mechanical -functions that would make a multiple-order key-driven calculator -possible. There was a reason, and a good one, that kept the inventors -of these single-order key-driven machines from turning their invention -into a multiple-order key-driven machine. - -It is folly to think that all these inventors never had the thought or -wish to produce such a machine. It is more reasonable to believe there -was not one of them who did not have the wish and who did not give deep -thought to the subject. There is every reason to believe that some of -them tried it, but there is no doubt that if they did it was a failure, -or there would be evidence of it in some form. - - -THE HILL MACHINE - -The U. S. Patent Office records show that one ambitious inventor, -Thomas Hill, in 1857 secured a patent on a multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine (see illustration), which he claimed as a new and -useful invention. The Hill patent, however, was the only one of that -class issued, until the first really operative modern machine was made -thirty years later, and affords a fine example by which the features -that were lacking in the make-up of a really operative machine of this -type may be brought out. - -[Sidenote: _Description of the Hill machine_] - -The illustrations of the Hill machine on the opposite page, reproduced -from the drawings of the patent, show two numeral wheels, each having -seven sets each of large and small figures running from 1 to 9 and -the cipher marked on their periphery. The large sets of figures are -arranged for addition or positive calculation, and the small figures -are arranged the reverse for subtraction or negative calculation. The -wheels are provided with means for the carry of the tens, very similar -to that found in the Pascal machine. Each of the two wheels shown are -provided with ratchet teeth which correspond in number with the number -of figures on the wheel. - -Spring-pressed, hook-shaped ratchet pawls marked b, are arranged to be -in constant engagement with the numeral wheels. These pawls are each -pivotally mounted in the end of the levers marked E, which are pivoted -at the front end of the casing. - -[Illustration: Hill Patent Drawings] - -The levers E, are held in normal or upward position by springs f, at -the front of the machine. Above each of these levers E, are a series of -keys which protrude through the casing with their lower ends resting -on the levers. There are but six keys shown in the drawing, but the -specification claims that a complete set of nine keys may be supplied -for each lever. - -The arrangement and spacing of the keys are such that the greater the -value of the key the nearer it is to the fulcrum or pivot of the lever -E. The length of the key stem under the head or button of each key is -gauged to allow depression of the key, the lever E and pawl b, far -enough to cause the numeral wheel to rotate as many numeral places as -the value marking on the key. - -A back-stop pawl for the numeral wheels, marked p, is mounted on a -cross-rod at the top of the machine. But one of these pawls are shown, -the shaft and the pawl for the higher wheel being broken away to show -the device for transferring the tens to the higher wheel. - -The transfer device for the carry of the tens is a lever arrangement -constructed from a tube F, mounted on the cross-rod m, with arms G and -H. Pivoted to the arm G, is a ratchet pawl i, and attached to the pawl -is a spring that serves to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet -of the higher-order numeral wheel, and at the same time, through its -attachment with the pawl, holds the lever arms G and H retracted as -shown in the drawing. - -As the lower-order numeral wheel passes any one of its points from 9 -to O, one of the teeth or cam lugs n, on the wheel will move the arm -H, of the transfer lever forward, causing the pawl i, to move the -higher-order wheel one step to register the accumulation of the tens. - -The functions of the Hill mechanism would, perhaps, be practical if it -were not for the physical law that “bodies set in motion tend to remain -in motion.” - -[Sidenote: _Hill machine at National Museum_] - -Considerable unearned publicity has been given the Hill invention on -account of the patent office model having been placed on exhibit in the -National Museum at Washington. Judging from the outward appearance of -this model, the arrangement of the keys in columns would seem to impart -the impression that here was the foundation of the modern key-driven -machine. The columnar principle used in the arrangement of the keys, -however, is the only similarity. - -[Sidenote: _Inoperativeness of Hill machine_] - -The Hill invention, moreover, was lacking in the essential feature -necessary to the make-up of such a machine, a lack that for thirty -years held the ancient Art against the inroads of the modern Art that -finally displaced it. The feature lacking was a means for controlling -the action of the mechanism under the tremendously increased speed -produced by the use of depressable keys as an actuating means. - -Hill made no provision for overcoming the lightning-speed momentum that -could be given the numeral wheels in his machine through manipulation -of the keys, either from direct key-action or indirectly through the -carry of the tens. Imagine the sudden whirl his numeral wheel would -receive on a quick depression of a key and then consider that he -provided no means for stopping these wheels; it is obvious that a -correct result could not be obtained by the use of such mechanism. Some -idea of what would take place in the Hill machine under manipulation -by an operator may be conceived from the speed attained in the -operation of the keys of the up-to-date modern key-driven machine. - -[Sidenote: _High speed of key drive_] - -Operators on key-driven machines oftentimes attain a speed of 550 key -strokes a minute in multiplication. Let us presume that any one of -these strokes may be a depression of a nine key. The depression and -return, of course, represents a full stroke, but only half of the -stroke would represent the time in which the wheel acts. Thus the -numeral wheel would be turned nine of its ten points of rotation in an -eleven hundredth (¹/₁₁₀₀) of a minute. That means only one-ninth of -the time given to half of the key-stroke, or a ninety-nine hundredth -(¹/₉₉₀₀) of a minute; a one hundred and sixty-fifth (¹/₁₆₅) part of a -second for a carry to be effected. - -[Sidenote: _Camera slow compared with carry of the tens_] - -If you have ever watched a camera-shutter work on a twenty-fifth of -a second exposure, which is the average time for a snap-shot with an -ordinary camera, it will be interesting to know that these controlling -devices of a key-driven machine must act in one-fifth the time in which -the shutter allows the daylight to pass through the lens of the camera. - -Think of it; a machine built with the idea of offering the possibility -of such key manipulation and supplying nothing to overcome the -tremendous momentum set up in the numeral wheels and their driving -mechanism, unless perchance Hill thought the operator of his machine -could, mentally, control the wheels against over-rotation. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Chapin Patent Drawings] - -Lack of a proper descriptive term used to refer to an object, machine, -etc., oftentimes leads to the use of an erroneous term. To call the -Hill invention an adding machine is erroneous since it would not add -correctly. It is as great an error as it would be to refer to the -Langley aeroplane as a flying machine. - -[Sidenote: _Hill machine merely adding mechanism, incomplete as -operative machine_] - -When the Wright brothers added the element that was lacking in the -Langley plane, a real flying machine was produced. But without that -element the Langley plane was not a flying machine. Likewise, without -means for controlling the numeral wheels, the Hill invention was not an -adding machine. The only term that may be correctly applied to the Hill -invention is “adding mechanism,” which is broad enough to cover its -incompleteness. And yet many thousands of people who have seen the Hill -invention at the National Museum have probably carried away the idea -that the Hill invention was a perfectly good key-driven adding machine. - -[Sidenote: _Chapin and Stark patents_] - -Lest we leave unmentioned two machines that might be misconstrued to -hold some of the features of the Art, attention is called to patents -issued to G. W. Chapin in 1870 (see illustration on opposite page), and -A. Stark in 1884 (see illustration on page 32). - - -CHAPIN MACHINE - -[Sidenote: _Description of Chapin machine_] - -Referring to the illustration reproducing the drawings of the Chapin -patent, the reader will note that in Fig. 1 there are four wheels -marked V. These wheels, although showing no numerals, are, according to -the specification, the numeral wheels of the machine. - -The wheels are provided with a one-step ratchet device for transferring -the tens, consisting of the spring frame and pawl shown in Fig. 3, -which is operated by a pin in the lower wheel. - -In Fig. 1 the units and tens wheel are shown meshed with their driving -gears. These gears are not numbered but are said to be fast to the -shafts N and M, respectively (see Fig. 2). - -Fast on the shaft M, is a series of nine ratchet-toothed gears marked -O, and a like series of gears P, are fast to the shaft N. Co-acting -with each of these ratchet-toothed gears is a ratchet-toothed rack F, -pivoted at its lower end to a key-lever H, and pressed forward into -engagement with its ratchet gear by a spring G. - -The key-levers H, of which there are two sets, one set with the -finger-pieces K and the other with the finger-pieces J, are all pivoted -on the block I, and held depressed at the rear by an elastic band L. -The two sets of racks F, are each provided with a number of teeth -arranged progressively from one to nine, the rack connected with the -No. 1 key having one ratchet tooth, the No. 2 having two teeth, etc. - -[Sidenote: _Inoperativeness of Chapin machine_] - -By this arrangement Chapin expected to add the units and tens of a -column of numerical items, and then by shifting the numeral wheels and -their transfer devices, which are mounted on a frame, designed for that -purpose, he expected to add up the hundred and thousands of the same -column of items. - -It is hardly conceivable that the inventor should have overlooked the -necessity of gauging the throw of the racks F, but such is the fact, as -no provision is made in the drawings, neither was mention made of such -means in the specification. Even a single tooth on his rack F, could, -under a quick key-stroke, overthrow the numeral wheels, and the same is -true of the carry transfer mechanism. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From the Stark Patent Drawings] - -The Chapin machine, like that of Hill, was made without thought as -to what would happen when a key was depressed with a quick stroke, -as there was no provision for control of the numeral wheels against -overthrow. As stated, the machine was designed to add two columns -of digits at a time, and with an attempt to provide means to shift -the accumulator mechanism, or the numeral wheels and carry-transfer -devices, so that columns of items having four places could be added -by such a shift. Such a machine, of course, offered less than could -be found in the Hill machine, and that was nothing at all so far as a -possible operative machine is concerned. - - -THE STARK MACHINE - -The reproduction of the patent drawings of the Stark machine -illustrated on the opposite page show a series of numeral wheels, each -provided with three sets of figures running from 1 to 9 and 0. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Stark machine_] - -Pivotally mounted upon the axis of the numeral wheels at each end -are sector gears E¹ and arms E⁴, in which are pivoted a square shaft -E, extended from one arm to the other across the face of the numeral -wheels. The shaft E, is claimed to be held in its normal position by a -spring so that a pawl, E², shiftably mounted on the shaft, designed to -ratchet or actuate the numeral wheels forward, may engage with any one -of the numeral wheel ratchets. - -A bail marked D, is pivoted to standards A¹, of the frame of the -machine, and is provided with the two radial racks D³ which mesh with -the sector gears E¹. It may be conceived that the act of depressing -the bail D, will cause the actuating pawl E², to operate whichever -numeral wheel it engages the ratchet of. - -The bail D, is held in its normal position by a spring D², and is -provided with nine keys or finger-pieces d, eight of which co-act with -the stepped plate G, to regulate the additive degree of rotation given -to the numeral wheels, while the ninth has a fixed relation with the -bail and the bail itself is stopped. - -The keys d, marked from 1 to 8, are pivoted to the bail in such a -manner that their normal relation to the bail will allow them to pass -by the steps on the stepped plate G, when the bail is depressed by -the fixed No. 9 key. When, however, any one of the keys numbered from -1 to 8 is depressed, the lower end of the shank of the key will tilt -rearward, and, as the bail is depressed, offers a stop against the -respective step of the plate G, arranged in its path, thus stopping -further action of the actuating pawl E², but offering nothing to -prevent the continuation of the force of momentum set up in the numeral -wheels by the key action. - -There was small use in stopping the action of the pawl E², if the -ratchet and numeral wheel, impelled by the pawl, could continue onward -under its momentum. - -The carry of the tens transfer device is of the same order as that -described in the Pascal and Hill machines; that is, a one-step -ratchet-motion actuated by a cam lug or pin from the lower wheel. The -carry transfer device consists of the lever F, and pawl f⁴, acting on -the ratchet of the upper wheel which is operated by the cam lugs b⁵ of -the lower wheel acting on the arms f¹ and f³ of the lever F. - -[Illustration: From the Robjohn Patent Drawings] - -[Sidenote: _Inoperativeness of Stark machine_] - -The machine shown in the Stark patent was provided with but one set of -keys, but the arrangement for shifting the driving ratchet pawl E², -from one order to another, so that the action of the keys may rotate -any one of the numeral wheels, gave the machine greater capacity than -the single digit adders; but as with the Chapin machine, of what use -was the increase in capacity if the machine would not add correctly. -That is about all that may be said of the Stark machine, for since -there was no means provided by which the rotation of numeral wheels -could be controlled, it was merely a device for rotating numeral wheels -and was therefore lacking in the features that would give it a right to -the title of an adding machine. - -[Sidenote: _Nine keys common to a plurality of orders_] - -The nine-key scheme of the Stark invention, connectable to the -different orders, was old, and was first disclosed in the U. S. Patent -to O. L. Castle in 1857 (a machine operated by a clock-spring wound by -hand), but its use in either of these machines should not be construed -as holding anything in common with that found in some of the modern -recording adders. The Castle machine has not been illustrated because -it does not enter into the evolution of the modern machine. - -The ancient Art, or the Art prior to the invention of Parmelee, -consisted of mechanism which could be controlled by friction devices, -or Geneva gear-lock devices, that were suitable to the slow-acting type -of manipulative means. - -The first attempt at a positive control for a key-driven adding device -is found in a patent issued to W. Robjohn in 1872 (see illustration). -As will be noted, this machine was referred to in the foregoing -discussion as merely a single-digit adding machine, having the capacity -for adding but one column of digits at a time. - - -ROBJOHN MACHINE - -Referring to the illustration of the patent drawings of the Robjohn -machine, it will be noted that there are three sight openings in the -casing through which the registration of the numeral wheels may be -read. The numeral wheels, like those of all machines of this character, -are connected by devices of a similar nature to those in the Hill -machine for carrying the tens, one operating between the units and tens -wheel and another between the tens and hundredths wheel. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Robjohn machine_] - -The units wheel shown in Fig. 3 is connected by gearing to a long -pin-wheel rotor, marked E, so that any rotation of the rotor E, -will give a like rotation to the units numeral wheel to which it is -entrained by gearing. - -To each of the nine digital keys, marked B, is attached an engaging and -disengaging sector gear device, which, as shown in Fig. 3, although -normally not in engagement with the rotor E, will upon depression of -its attached key, engage the rotor and turn it. - -A stop device is supplied for the key action, which in turn was -supposed to stop the gear action; that seems rather doubtful. However, -an alternative device is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, which provides what -may without question be called a stop device to prevent over-rotation -of the units wheel under direct key action. - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Bouchet Patent 314,561] - -It will be noted that the engaging and disengaging gear device is here -shown in the form of a gear-toothed rack and that the key stem is -provided with a projecting arm ending in a downwardly projecting tooth -or detent which may engage the rotor E, and stop it at the end of the -downward key action. While the stopping of the rotor shows a control in -the Robjohn machine which takes place under direct action from the keys -to prevent overthrow of the units numeral wheel, it did not prevent the -overflow of the higher or tens wheels, if a carry should take place. -There was no provision for a control of the numeral wheels under the -action received from the carry of the tens by the transfer mechanism. - -[Sidenote: _First control for a carried numeral wheel_] - -The first attempt to control the carried wheel in a key-driven machine -is found in a patent issued to Bouchet in 1882 (see illustration -on opposite page); but it was a Geneva motion gearing which, as is -generally known, may act to transmit power and then act to lock the -wheel to which the power has been transmitted until it is again to be -turned through the same source. Such a geared up and locked relation -between the numeral wheels, of course, made the turning of the higher -wheel (which had been so locked) by another set of key-mechanism an -impossibility. - - -BOUCHET MACHINE - -The illustration of the Bouchet machine on the opposite page was -reproduced from the drawings of the patent which is the nearest to the -machine that was placed on the market. The numeral wheels, like most of -the single-digit adders, are three in number, and consist of the prime -actuated, or units wheel, and two overflow wheels to receive the carry -of the tens. The units wheel has fixed to it a long 10-tooth pinion or -rotor I, with which nine internal segmental gear racks L, are arranged -to engage and turn the units wheel through their nine varying additive -degrees of rotation. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Bouchet machine_] - -The segmental gear racks L, are normally out of mesh with the pinion -I, and are fast to the key levers E, in such a manner that the first -depression of a key causes its rack to rock forward and engage with the -pinion I, and further depression moves the rack upward and rotates the -pinion and units numeral wheel. It will be noted that this engaging and -disengaging gear action is in principle like that of Robjohn. - -The transfer devices for the carry of the tens, as already stated, -belong to that class of mechanism commonly known as the “Geneva -motion.” It consists of a mutilated or one-tooth gear fast to the units -wheel operating with a nine-tooth gear, marked D¹, loosely mounted on -an axis parallel to the numeral wheel axis. Each revolution of the -units wheel moves the nine-tooth gear three spaces, and in turn moves -the next higher numeral wheel to which it is geared far enough to -register one point or the carry. A circular notched disc, marked S, is -fast to the units wheel, and the nine-tooth gear D¹, has part of two -out of every three of its teeth mutilated or cut away to make a convex -surface for the notched disc to rotate in. - -With such construction the nine-tooth gear may not rotate or become -displaced as long as the periphery of the disc continues to occupy -any one of the three convex spaces of the nine-tooth gear. When, -however, the notch of the disc is presented to the mutilated portion -of the nine-tooth gear, the said gear is unlocked. This unlocking -is coincident to the engagement of the single tooth of the numeral -wheel-gear with the nine-tooth gear and the passing of the numeral -wheel from 9 to 0, during which the nine-tooth gear will be moved three -spaces, and will be again locked as the notch in the disc passes and -the periphery fills the next convex space of the mutilated nine-tooth -gear. - -[Sidenote: _Bouchet machine marketed_] - -The Bouchet machine was manufactured and sold to some extent, but -never became popular, as it lacked capacity. Machines of such limited -capacity could not compete with ordinary accountants, much less with -those who could mentally add from two to four columns at a clip. -Aside from the capacity feature, there was another reason why these -single-order machines were useless, except to those who could not -add mentally. Multiple forms of calculation, that is, multiplication -and division, call for a machine having a multiplicity of orders. -The capacity of a single order would be but 9 × 9, which requires no -machine at all--a seven-year-old child knows that. To multiply 58964 -× 6824, however, is a different thing, and requires a multiple-order -calculator. - -[Sidenote: _Misuse of the term “Calculating Machine”_] - -It is perhaps well at this time to point out the misuse of the term -calculating where it is applied to machines having only a capacity -for certain forms of calculating as compared with machines which -perform in a practical way all forms of calculation, that is, -addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. To apply the term -“calculating machine” to a machine having anything less than a capacity -for all these forms is erroneous. - -An adding machine may perform one of the forms of calculation, but to -call it a calculating machine when it has no capacity for division, -subtraction or multiplication, is an error; and yet we find the U. S. -Patent Office records stuffed full of patents granted on machines thus -erroneously named. The term calculating is the broad term covering all -forms of calculation, and machines performing less should be designated -according to their specific capacities. - -It is true that adding is calculating, and under these circumstances, -why then may not an adding machine be called a calculator? The answer -is that it may be calculating to add; it may be calculating to either -subtract, multiply or divide; but if a machine adds and is lacking in -the means of performing the other forms of calculation, it is only part -of a calculating machine and lacks the features that will give it title -to being a full-fledged calculator.[1] - -[1] NOTE: The title of this book does not coincide with the above -argument, but in view of the common use of the term “calculating” its -application is better understood. - -Considerable contention was raised by parties in a late patent suit as -to what constituted the make-up of a calculating machine. One of the -attorneys contended that construction was the only thing that would -distinguish a calculating machine. But as machines are named by their -functioning, the contention does not hold water. That is to say: A -machine may be a calculating machine and yet its construction be such -that it performs its functions of negative and positive calculation -without reversal of its action. - -Again, a machine may be a calculating machine and operate in one -direction for positive calculation and the reverse for negative -calculation. As long as the machine has been so arranged that all forms -of calculation may be performed by it without mental computation, and -the machine has a reasonable capacity of at least eight orders, it -should be entitled to be called a calculating machine. - -[Illustration: Drawings of Spalding Patent No. 293,809] - - -THE SPALDING MACHINE - -The next machine that has any bearing on the key-driven Art of which -there is a record, is illustrated in a patent granted to C. G. Spalding -in 1884 (see illustration on opposite page). The Spalding invention, -like that of Bouchet, was provided with control for its primary -actuation and control for its secondary or carrying actuation. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Spalding machine_] - -Referring to the Spalding machine reproduced from the drawings of -his patent, the reader will note that in place of the units and tens -numeral wheels, a clock hand has been supplied, co-operating with a -dial graduated from 0 to 99, showing the figures 5, 10, 15, etc., to -95, for every five graduations. - -Another similar hand or arrow and dial to register the hundreds is also -provided, having a capacity to register nineteen hundred. Attached to -the arrows, through a shaft connection at the back of the casing are -ratchet wheels, having respectively the same number of teeth as the -graduation of the dial to which each hand belongs. - -Co-operating with the hundred-tooth ratchet of the units and tens -register hand is a ratchet and lever motion device (see Fig. 2) to turn -the arrow from one to nine points of the graduation of the dial. The -ratchet and lever motion device consists of the spring-pressed pawl E, -mounted on the lever arm D, engaging the hundred-tooth ratchet, the -link or push-rod F, the lever G, and its spring O. It will be noted -that a downward action of the lever G, will, through the rod F, cause -a like downward action of the lever D, causing the ratchet pawl E to -be drawn over the ratchet teeth. Upon the release of the lever G, the -spring O, will return it to its normal position and through the named -connecting parts, ratchet forward the arrow. - -The normal position of the pawl E is jammed into the tooth of the -ratchet and against the bracket C, that forms the pivot support for -the pivot shaft of the arrow. This jammed or locked combination serves -to stop the momentum of the ratchet wheel at the end of the ratcheting -action, and holds the wheel and its arrow normally locked until the -lever G is again depressed. - -The means for gauging the depression and additive degrees of action of -the lever G is produced through the slides or keys marked a, having -finger-pieces c, springs f, and pins e, bearing against the top of the -lever G, combined with what may be called a compensating lever marked K. - -The specification of the patent states that the depression of a key -will depress the lever G and the free end will engage the bent end t, -of the compensating lever K, and rock its envolute curved arm M, upward -until it engages the pin e of the key, which will block further motion -of the parts. - -The effectiveness of the construction shown for the lever K is open to -question. - -[Sidenote: _Prime actuation of a carried wheel impossible in the -Spalding machine_] - -The carry of the hundreds is accomplished by means of a one-step -ratchet device represented by the parts lever R, pawl T, spring P, and -operating pin g. When the hundred-tooth ratchet nears the end of its -revolution, the pin g, made fast therein, engages the free end of the -ratchet lever R, and depresses it; and as the hand attached to the -hundred-tooth ratchet wheel passes from 99 to 0 the pin g passes off -the end of the ratchet lever R, and the spring P retracts the lever -ratcheting the twenty-tooth wheel and its arrow forward one point so -that the arrow registers one point greater on the hundreds dial. - -Although the Spalding means of control under carrying differed from -that of Bouchet in construction, its function was virtually the same -in that it locked the carried or higher wheel in such a manner as -to prevent the wheel from being operated by an ordinal set of key -mechanism. - -And the control under key action would prevent a carry being delivered -to that order through the locked relation of the ratchet and pawl E. - -[Illustration] - - - - -The Key-Driven Calculator - - -While these single-digit adding machines have been used to illustrate -how the control, which was lacking in the Hill invention, had been -recognized by other inventors as a necessary requisite to the -key-drive, it should not be construed that such carrying control as had -been applied to their inventions was of a type that could be used in -the Hill machine or in any multiple-order key-driven machine. It was -thirty years after the first attempt to control a key-driven machine -was made before an operative multiple-order key-driven machine, with a -control that would prevent over-rotation, was finally invented. - -[Sidenote: _Theory versus the concrete_] - -Theoretically, it would seem that the only feature or element lacking -in the Art prior to 1886, to produce a real key-driven calculator was -means that would control the carrying and also leave the carried wheel -free for key actuation. It was, however, quite a different problem. -Theoretical functions may be patched together to make a theoretical -machine; but that is only theory and not the concrete. - -[Sidenote: _All but one of the generic elements solved_] - -To take fragmental parts of such machines as were disclosed in the Art -and patch them together into anything practical was impossible, even -if one had been familiar with the Art and could devise mechanism to -supply the new element. That is, leaving aside the broad or generic -theoretical elements, which today, from knowledge gained by later -inventions, serve the make-up of a key-driven calculator, there was -still lacking any concrete example or specific design of a whole -machine, as there was no such machine disclosed in the drawings of -patents, or any known mechanism which, if arranged in multiples, would -be operative as a practical machine even if mechanism to supply the new -element were to be added. - -In other words, while it is conceded from our present knowledge that -all but one of the generic theoretical elements had been solved as -disclosed in the various before-named machines, it required the -application of these elements in a different way from anything before -disclosed; which in itself required a different concrete form of the -generic principles for the whole machine as well as a generic form of -invention covering the new theoretical element. - -It may be easy to analyze that which exists, but quite a different -story to conceive that which did not exist. With reference to the Art, -however, the production of the new element is a feature that may be -credited without question. The concrete does not enter into it other -than as proof that a new feature has been created. - -[Sidenote: _Originality of inventions_] - -While the discussion of the Art from a scientific standpoint brings -together in after years what has been accomplished by different -inventors, it is doubtful whether any of these early inventors had -other knowledge than what may possibly have been obtained from seeing -one of the foreign-made crank-driven machines. All inventors work with -an idea obtained from some source, but on the whole few copy inventions -of others. When an Art is fully established, however, and machines -representing the Art are to be found on the market and the principal -features of such machines are portrayed in a later patent, it may -rightly be called a copy. To assume, however, that a novice has taken -the trouble to delve into the archives of the patent office and study -the scattered theoretical elements of the Art and supply a new element -to make a combination that is needed to produce a practical key-driven -calculator, is not a probable assumption. But allowing such assumption -were possible, it is evident that from anything that the Art disclosed -prior to 1887 it was not possible to solve the concrete production of a -key-driven calculator. - -[Sidenote: _A conception which led to the final solution_] - -In 1884, a young machinist, while running a planer, conceived an idea -from watching its ratchet feed motion, which was indirectly responsible -for the final solution of the multiple-order key-driven calculating -machine. The motion, which was like that to be found on all planing -machines, could be adjusted to ratchet one, two, three, four or more -teeth for a fine or coarse feed. - -While there is nothing in such a motion that would in any way solve the -problem of the modern calculator, it was enough to excite the ambitions -of the man who did finally solve it. It is stated that the young man, -after months of thought, made a wooden model, which he finished early -in 1885. This model is extant, and is illustrated on the opposite page. - -The inventor was Dorr E. Felt, who is well known in the calculating -machine Art as the manufacturer of the “Comptometer,” and in public -life as a keen student of economic and scientific subjects. The wooden -model, as will be noted, was crude, but it held the nucleus of the -machine to come. - -[Illustration: “Macaroni Box” Model] - -[Illustration: Dorr E. Felt] - -Mr. Felt has given some interesting facts regarding his experience in -making the wooden model. - -[Sidenote: _Evolution of an invention_] - -He says: “Watching the planer-feed set me to scheming on ideas for -a machine to simplify the hard grind of the bookkeeper in his day’s -calculation of accounts. - -“I realized that for a machine to hold any value to an accountant, it -must have greater capacity than the average expert accountant. Now I -knew that many accountants could mentally add four columns of figures -at a time, so I decided that I must beat that in designing my machine. -Therefore, I worked on the principle of duplicate denominational -orders that could be stretched to any capacity within reason. The plan -I finally settled on is displayed in what is generally known as the -“Macaroni Box” model. This crude model was made under rather adverse -circumstances. - -“The construction of such a complicated machine from metal, as I had -schemed up, was not within my reach from a monetary standpoint, so I -decided to put my ideas into wood. - -[Sidenote: _Trials of an inventor_] - -“It was near Thanksgiving Day of 1884, and I decided to use the holiday -in the construction of the wooden model. I went to the grocer’s and -selected a box which seemed to me to be about the right size for the -casing. It was a macaroni box, so I have always called it the macaroni -box model. For keys I procured some meat skewers from the butcher -around the corner and some staples from a hardware store for the key -guides and an assortment of elastic bands to be used for springs. When -Thanksgiving day came I got up early and went to work with a few tools, -principally a jack knife. - -“I soon discovered that there were some parts which would require -better tools than I had at hand for the purpose, and when night came I -found that the model I had expected to construct in a day was a long -way from being complete or in working order. I finally had some of the -parts made out of metal, and finished the model soon after New Year’s -day, 1885.” - -[Sidenote: _The first “Comptometer”_] - -By further experimenting the scheme of the wooden model was improved -upon, and Felt produced, in the fall of 1886, a finished practical -machine made of metal. This machine is illustrated on the opposite page. - - -THE FELT CALCULATING MACHINE - -Referring to the illustration of Felt’s first metal machine, it will be -noted that the machine has been partly dismantled. The model was robbed -of some of its parts to be used as samples for the manufacture of a -lot of machines that were made later. In view of the fact that this -machine is the first operative multiple-order key-driven calculating -machine made, it seems a shame that it had to be so dismantled; but the -remaining orders are operative and serve well to demonstrate the claims -held for it. - -[Sidenote: _Felt patent 371,496_] - -The mechanism of the machine is illustrated in the reproduction of the -drawings of Felt’s patent, 371,496, on page 58. The specification of -this patent shows that it was applied for in March, 1887, and issued -October 11, 1887. - -From the outward appearance of the machine it has the same general -scheme of formation as is disclosed in the wooden model. - -[Illustration: The First “Comptometer”] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 371,496] - -[Sidenote: _Description of Felt calculator_] - -The constructional scheme of the mechanism consists of a series of -numeral wheels, marked A in the patent drawings. Each wheel is provided -with a ratchet wheel, and co-acting with the ratchet is a pawl mounted -on a disc E², carried by the pinion E¹, which is rotatably mounted on -the same axis as the numeral wheel. The arrangement of these parts is -such that a rotating motion given any of the pinions E¹, in a clockwise -direction, as shown in the drawings, would give a like action to -their respective numeral wheels; but any motion of the pinions in an -anti-clockwise direction would have no effect on the numeral wheels, -owing to back-stop pawls K, and stop-pins T, provided to allow movement -of the numeral wheels in but one direction. - -Co-acting with each pinion E¹, is shown a long lever D, pivoted at -the rear of the machine and provided with a segmental gear rack which -meshes with the teeth of the pinion E¹. This lever comes under what is -now generally termed a segment lever. - -Each lever is provided with a spring S, which normally holds the front -or rack end upward in the position shown in Fig. 1, and has co-acting -with it a series of nine depressable keys which protrude through the -casing and contact with the upper edge of the lever. - -The arrangement of the keys with their segment levers provides that the -depression of any key will depress the segment lever of that order, -which in turn will rotate the pinion E¹ and its numeral wheel. - -While this arrangement is such that each key of a series gives a -different degree of leverage action to the segment lever, and in -turn a degree of rotation to the numeral wheel of the same order in -accordance with the numerical value of the key depressed, it may be -conceived that the momentum set up by the quick stroke of a key would -set the numeral wheel spinning perhaps two or three revolutions, or at -any rate way beyond the point it should stop at to register correctly. - -To preserve correct actuation of the mechanism and overcome its -momentum, Felt provided a detent toothed lever for each numeral wheel, -which will be found marked J¹ in the drawings. To this lever he linked -another lever G, which extended below the keys, and arranged the length -of the key-stems so that when each key had revolved the numeral wheel -the proper distance, the key will have engaged the lever G, and through -the link connection will have caused the detent tooth of the lever J¹ -to engage one of the pins T, of the numeral wheel, thus bringing the -numeral wheel and the whole train of mechanism to a dead stop. - -This combination was timed so that the (1) key would add one, the (2) -key would add two, etc., up to nine for the (9) key. Thus the prime -actuation of each wheel was made safe and positive. - -[Sidenote: _Recapitulation of Art prior to Felt calculator_] - -Before explaining the means by which the carry of the tens was effected -in the Felt machine without interfering with multiple-order prime -actuation, it will perhaps help the reader to recapitulate on what the -Art already offered. - -Going back to the Art, prior to Felt’s invention, there are a few -facts worth reconsidering that point to the broadly new contributions -presented in the Felt invention, and combining these facts with a -little theory may perhaps give a clearer understanding of what was put -into practice. - -In most lines of mechanical engineering in the past, the term “theory” -connected with mechanical construction was a bugaboo. But the solution -of the modern calculating machine was wholly dependent upon it. - -Let us summarize on the Art, prior to Felt’s invention. A calculating -machine that would calculate, if we eliminate the key-driven feature, -was old. The key-driven feature applied to adding mechanism was old as -adapted to a single-order machine with a capacity for adding only a -single column of digits. - -[Sidenote: _Why Hill failed to produce an operative machine_] - -Hill attempted to make a multiple order key-driven machine, but failed -because he did not theorize on the necessities involved in the physical -laws of mechanics. - -Hill saw only the columnar arrangement of the ordinal division of the -keyboard, and his thought did not pass beyond such relation of the -keys for conveyance. There is no desire to belittle this feature, but -it did not solve the problem that was set forth in the specification -and claims of his patent; neither did it solve it for anyone else who -wished to undertake the making of such a machine. - -[Sidenote: _Idiosyncrasies of force and motion increased by use of -keys_] - -The introduction of keys as a driving feature in the calculating -machine Art demanded design and construction suitable to control the -new idiosyncrasies of force and motion injected into the Art by their -use, of which the elements of inertia and momentum were the most -troublesome. - -[Sidenote: _Light construction a feature_] - -Hill, in the design and construction of his machine, ignored these two -elementary features of mechanics and paid the penalty by defeat. The -tremendous speed transmitted to the parts of a key-driven machine, -which has already been illustrated, required that lightness in -construction which is absolutely necessary to reduce inertia to a -minimum, should be observed. The Hill machine design is absolutely -lacking in such thought. The diameter of the numeral wheel and -its heavy construction alone show this. Lightness of construction -also enters into the control of momentum when the mechanism must -suddenly be brought to a dead stop in its lightning-speed action. A -heavily-constructed numeral wheel like that shown in the Hill patent -would be as hard to check as it would to start, even if Hill had -provided means for checking it. - -Strength of design and construction, without the usual increase in -weight to attain such end, but above all, the absolute control of -momentum, were features that had to be worked out. - -Robjohn partly recognized these features, but he limited the -application of such reasoning to the prime actuation of a single order, -and made nothing operable in a multiple key-driven machine. - -Spalding and Bouchet recognized that the application of control was -necessary for both prime actuation and carrying, but, like Robjohn, -they devised nothing that would operate with a series of keys beyond a -single order. - -[Sidenote: _Operative features necessary_] - -An operative principle for control under prime actuation was perhaps -present in some of the single-order key-driven machines, but whatever -existed was applied to machines with keys arranged in the bank form -of construction, and, to be used with the keys in columnar formation, -required at least a new constructive type of invention. But none of -the means of control for carrying, prior to Felt’s invention, held any -feature that would solve the problem in a multiple-order machine. - -[Sidenote: _Classification of the features contained in the early Art -of key-driven machines_] - -While all the machines referred to have not been illustrated and -described here, fair samples of the type that have any pertinence -to the Art have been discussed, and those not illustrated would add -nothing more than has been shown. A classification of the inventions -referred to may be made as follows: - -Parmelee and Stetner had no carrying mechanism; Hill, Robjohn, -Borland and Hoffman, Swem, Lindholm and Smith had no control for the -carry. Carroll, Bouchet and Spalding show a control for the carrying -action, which in itself would defeat the use of a higher wheel for -prime actuation, and which obviously would also defeat its use in a -multiple-order key-driven machine. - -One of the principal reasons why theory was necessary to solve the -problem of the key-driven calculator existed in the impossibility -of seeing what took place in the action of the mechanism under the -lightning speed which it receives in operation. Almost any old device -could be made to operate if moved slow enough to see and study its -action; but the same mechanism that would operate under slow action -would not operate correctly under the lightning-speed action they -could receive from key depression. Only theoretical reasoning could be -used to analyze the cause when key-driven mechanism failed to operate -correctly. - -[Sidenote: _Carrying mechanism of Felt’s calculator_] - -Referring again to the drawings of the Felt patent, which illustrate -the first embodiment of a multiple-order key-driven calculating -machine, we find, what Felt calls in the claims and specifications, -a carrying mechanism for a multiple-order key-driven calculating -machine. This mechanism was, as set forth in the specification, a -mechanism for transferring the tens, which have been accumulated by -one order, to a higher order, by adding one to the wheel of higher -order for each accumulation of ten by the lower order wheel. This, in -the Felt machine, as in most machines, was effected by the rotation of -a numbered drum, called the numeral wheel, marked with the nine digits -and cipher. - -[Sidenote: _Transfer devices_] - -The term “transfer device” for such mechanism was in common use, and as -a term it fits certain parts of all classes of devices used for that -purpose, whether for a crank-driven, key-driven, or any other type -of multiple-order or single-order machine. But in the Felt invention -we find it was not the simple device generally used for transferring -the tens. It was, in fact, a combination of devices co-acting with -each other which, in the specification of the patent, was termed the -carrying mechanism. - -[Sidenote: _Carrying mechanism versus mere transfer devices_] - -Now, carrying mechanism may in a sense be termed a transfer device, -as one of its functions is that of transferring power to carry the -tens, but a mere transfer device may not be truthfully termed a -carrying mechanism for a multiple-order key-driven machine unless it -performs the functions that go to make up a correct carrying of the -tens in that class of machine, and which we find laid down under the -head of carrying mechanism in the Felt patents, where we find the -first operative carrying mechanism ever invented for a multiple-order -key-driven machine. - -The functions demanded of such a piece of mechanism are as follows: -First, the storing of power to perform the carry; second, the -unlocking of the numeral wheel to be carried; third, the delivery -of the power stored to perform such carry; fourth, the stopping and -locking of the carried wheel when it has been moved to register such -carry; and fifth, clearing the carrying-lock during prime actuation. A -seemingly simple operation, but let those who have tried to construct -such mechanism judge; they at least have some idea of it and they will -no doubt bow their heads in acknowledgment of the difficulties involved -in this accomplishment. - -Mechanism for carrying the tens in single digit adders was one thing, -and such as was used could well be called a transfer device; but -mechanism for carrying the tens in a real key-driven calculating -machine was another thing, and a feature not solved until Felt -solved it, and justly called such combination of devices a “carrying -mechanism.” - -[Sidenote: _Details of Felt carrying mechanism_] - -In the Felt machine, the carrying mechanism consisted of a lever and -ratchet pawl action, constructed of the parts M, m², operated by a -spring m, the pawl acting upon the numeral wheel pins T, to ratchet -the wheel forward under the spring power. The power in the spring was -developed from the rotation of the lower wheel, which through the means -of an envolute cam[2] attached to left side of each wheel, operated -the carrying lever in the opposite direction to that in which it was -operated by the spring. As the carrying lever passed the highest point -of the cam spiral and dropped off, the stored power in the spring -retracted the lever M, and the pawl m², acting on the higher order -wheel pins T, and moved it one-tenth of a revolution. - -[2] NOTE: As all the drawings of the Felt patent are not reproduced -here, the cam is not shown. - -This part of the mechanism was in principle an old and commonly-used -device for a one-step ratchet motion used in the carry of the tens. -It served as a means of storing and transferring power from the lower -wheel to actuate the higher wheel in a carrying operation, but a wholly -unqualified action without control. - -In the Felt machine a spring-actuated lever N, mounted on the same axis -with the carrying lever, and provided with a detent stop-hook at its -upper end, served to engage the numeral wheel at the end of its carried -action, and normally hold it locked. - -An arm or pin P, fixed in and extending from the left side of the -carrying lever and through a hole in the detent lever, acted to -withdraw the detent lever from its locking engagement with the numeral -wheel as the carrying lever reached the extreme point of retraction; -thus the wheel to be carried was unlocked. - -Pivoted to the side of the detent lever is a catch O. This catch -or latch is so arranged as to hook on to a cross-rod q, especially -constructed to co-act with the catch and hold the detent lever against -immediate relocking of the numeral wheel as the carrying lever and pawl -act in a carrying motion. The latch has a tail or arm p, which co-acts -with the pin P on the carrying lever in such a way as to release the -latch as the carrying lever finishes its carrying function. - -Thus the detent lever N is again free to engage one of the control -or stop-pins T to stop and lock the carried numeral wheel when the -carrying lever and pawl, through the action of the spring stored in the -carrying, has moved the wheel the proper distance. - -[Illustration: Bill for First Manufacturing Tools of the “Comptometer”] - -A lot of functions to take place in ¹/₁₆₅ of a second, but it worked. -The timing of the stop and locking detents, of course, was one of the -finest features. - -[Illustration: Early Comptometer] - -The normal engagement of the carrying detent, it may be understood, -would prevent the movement of the wheel by key action or prime -actuation, but the patent shows how Felt overcame this. - -The carrying stop and locking detent lever N is provided with a cam-arm -or pin N, which was arranged to co-act with the cam disc E (see Fig. -1), fast to the prime actuating pinion E. The cam surface was short -and performed its function during a short lost motion arranged to take -place before the ratchet pawl would pick up and move the numeral wheel -under key actuation. - -The camming action was outward and away from the center, and thus -released the carrying stop from its locking position with the numeral -wheel, and continued rotation of the pinion and cam disc would hold the -lock out of action until the parts had returned to normal. - -With the return action of the keys, segment lever, pinion and cam disc, -through the action of a spring attached to the segment lever, the -carrying stop detent will again engage and lock the numeral wheel. - -[Sidenote: _Manufacture of the Felt calculator_] - -Felt really started to manufacture his calculating machine in the fall -of 1886, after perfecting his invention. Having only a very limited -amount of money with which to produce machines, young Felt, then but -24 years of age, was obliged to make the machines himself, but with -the aid of some dies which he had made for some of the principal parts -(see reproduction of bill for dies on opposite page), he was able -to produce eight finished machines before September, 1887. Two of -these machines were immediately put into service, for the training of -operators, as soon as they were finished. - -[Sidenote: _Trade name of Felt calculator_] - -Of the first trained operators to operate these machines, which were -given the trademark name “Comptometer,” one was Geo. D. Mackay, and -another was Geo. W. Martin. After three or four months’ practice Mr. -Martin demonstrated one of these machines to such firms as Sprague, -Warner & Co., Pitkin & Brooks, The Chicago Daily News, and the Chicago, -Burlington & Quincy R. R. Co., and finally took employment with the -Equitable Gas Light & Fuel Co. of Chicago (see letter on opposite page) -as operator of the “Comptometer.” The Gas Co. has since been merged -with several other companies into the Peoples Gas Light & Coke Co. of -Chicago. - -A very high testimonial of the qualities of the Felt invention was -given by Mr. Martin in 1888, a year after he entered the employment of -the Gas Co., and is reproduced on page 72. - -Another fine testimonial was given by Geo. A. Yulle, Secy. & Treas. of -the Chicago Gas Light & Coke Co., in September, 1888 (see page 74). Mr. -Mackay, the other operator, secured employment with Albert Dickinson & -Co., Seed Merchants, as operator of the “Comptometer.” Mr. Mackay was -interviewed a few months ago, and was at that time, after thirty years, -still with the same firm, and a strong advocate of the “Comptometer.” - -[Illustration: Letter from Geo. W. Martin] - -[Illustration: Testimonial] - -[Illustration: Testimonial] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Letters from Elliott and Rosecrans] - -[Sidenote: _Felt calculator Exhibit at National Museum_] - -In September, 1887, Felt took one of the first eight machines to -Washington and exhibited it to Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, then Registrar of -the Treasury, and left the machine in the office of Dr. E. B. Elliott, -Actuary of the Treasury, where it was put into constant use. Proof of -the date of this use of Felt’s invention in the Treasury is set forth -in the reproduction of two letters (see opposite page), one was written -by Mr. Elliott and another by Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, in answer to an -inquiry of the Hall Typewriter Co. of Salem, Mass. Another of the first -eight machines was placed with Dr. Daniel Draper, of the N. Y. State -Weather Bureau, New York City. - -Felt finally closed a deal with Mr. Robert Tarrant of Chicago, whereby -a partnership contract was signed November 28, 1887. The partnership -was incorporated January 25, 1889, under the name of the Felt & Tarrant -Mfg. Co., who are still manufacturing and selling “Comptometers” under -that name. - -[Sidenote: _Significant proof of Felt’s claim of priority_] - -Laying aside all the evidence set forth in the foregoing history of -key-driven machines and their idiosyncrasies, significant proof of -Felt’s claim as the first inventor of the modern calculating machine -is justified by the fact that no other multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine was placed on the market prior to 1902. - -Lest we lose sight of a most important feature in dealing with the Art -of the Modern Calculator, we should call to mind the fact that as Felt -was the originator of this type of machine, he was also the originator -of the scheme of operation in its performance of the many and varied -short cuts in arithmetical calculation. - -The performance of calculation on machines of the older Art differed so -entirely from the new that any scheme of operation that may have been -devised for their use would lend nothing to the derivation of the new -process for operating the key-driven machine of the new Art. - -[Sidenote: _Rules for operation an important factor of modern -calculator_] - -A superficial examination of one of the instruction books of the -“Comptometer” will convince most any one that it is not only the -mechanism of the machine that made the modern calculator so valuable -to the business world, but also the schemes laid down for its use. The -instructions for figuring Multiplication, Subtraction, Division, Square -Root, Cube Root, Interest, Exchange, Discount, English Currency, etc., -involved hard study to devise such simple methods and rules. - -The instruction books written by Felt for the “Comptometer, the Modern -Calculator,” reflect the genius disclosed in the invention of the -machine itself. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 133,188] - - - - -Early Efforts in the Recording Machine Art - - -The Art of recording the addition of columns of figures is old in -principle, but not in practice. Many attempts to make a machine that -would record legibly under all conditions failed. These attempts have -been pointed out from time to time as the first invention of the -recording-adding machine, especially by those desirous of claiming the -laurels. - -[Sidenote: _First attempt to record arithmetical computation_] - -The first attempt at arithmetical recording for which a patent was -issued, was made by E. D. Barbour in 1872 (see illustration on opposite -page). - -E. D. Barbour has also the honor of being the first inventor to apply -Napier’s principle to mechanism intended to automatically register -the result of multiplying a number having several ordinal places by a -single digit without mentally adding together the overlapping figures -resulting from direct multiplication. He patented this machine in 1872 -just prior to the issue of his arithmetical recorder patent. (See page -181.) - - -THE BARBOUR MACHINE - -The printing device disclosed in connection with the Barbour machine -for recording calculations was of the most simple nature, allowing only -for the printing of totals and sub-totals. - -Its manipulation consisted of placing a piece of paper under a hinged -platen and depressing the platen by hand in the same manner that a time -stamp is used. The ink had to be daubed on the type by a hand operation -to make legible the impressions of the type. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Barbour machine_] - -The patent drawings of the Barbour machine are so fragmentary that it -is almost impossible to draw any conclusion as to its functions without -reading the specifications. - -Fig. 1 represents the base of the machine, while Fig. 4 shows a -carriage which, when in place, is superimposed above the base as -illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. - -The operation of the machine is performed by first pulling out the -slides B (shown in Fig. 1), which set the digital degrees of actuation -of each order; and, second, by operating the hand-lever K, from its -normal position at 0 to 1, if it is desired to add, or to any of -the other numbers in accordance to the value of the multiplier if -multiplication is desired. - -The movement of the handle K, from one figure to the other, gives a -reciprocation to the carriage, so that for each figure a reciprocation -will take place. - -Each of the slides B, has a series of nine gear racks; each rack has a -number of teeth ranging progressively from 1 tooth for the first gear -rack to 9 teeth for the last rack, thus the pulling out of the slides B -will present one of the gear racks in line to act upon the accumulator -mechanism of the carriage as the carriage is moved back and forth over -it. - -The accumulator mechanism consists of the register wheels M¹ and M² -and the type wheels M³ and M⁴ mounted on a common arbor and a carry -transfer device between the wheels of each order. - -Operating between the accumulator wheels and the racks of plate B are -a pair of gears, one in the form of a lantern wheel loosely mounted on -the accumulator wheel shaft but connected thereto by a ratchet wheel -and pawl connection; the other, a small pinion meshing with the lantern -wheel on a separate axis, protrudes below the carriage into the path of -the racks. - -Thus as the carriage is moved by the reciprocating device connected -with the hand-lever K, the pinions of the accumulator will engage -whatever racks have been set and the numeral wheels and type wheels -will be operated to give the result. - -The numeral and type wheels have two sets of figures, one of which is -used for addition and multiplication, while the other set runs in the -opposite direction for negative computation or subtraction and division. - -A plate arranged with sight apertures covers the numeral or register -wheels, while the type wheels are left uncovered to allow a hinged -platen F, mounted on the top of the carriage (see Fig. 3), to be swung -over on top of them and depressed. - -Attached to the platen F, are a series of spring clips d, under which -strips of paper may be slipped (as shown by D, in Fig. 4), and which -serves to hold the paper while an impression is taken. - -[Sidenote: _Barbour machine not practical_] - -Thus the Barbour invention stands in the Art as something to show that -as early as 1872 an effort was made to provide means to preserve a -record of calculations by printing the totals of such calculations. - - -THE BALDWIN MACHINE - -The next effort in this class of machines is illustrated in a patent -issued to Frank S. Baldwin in 1875 (see illustration on opposite page). -The Baldwin machine is also of moment as having the scheme found in -the machines known as the Brunsviga, made under the Odhner patents--a -foreign invention, later than that of Baldwin, used extensively abroad -and to a limited extent in this country. - -The contribution of Baldwin to the Art of recording-calculating devices -seems to be only the roll-paper in ribbon form and the application -of the ink ribbon. The method used by Barbour for type impression -was adapted and used by Baldwin; that is, the hinged platen and its -operation by hand. - -Of the illustrations shown of the Baldwin machine, one is reproduced -from the drawings of the patent while the other is a photo reproduction -of the actual machine which was placed on the market, but, as may be -noted, minus the printing or recording device shown in the patent -drawings. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Baldwin machine_] - -Referring to the photo reproduction, the upper row of figures showing -through the sight apertures in the casing are those of the numeral -wheels which accumulate the totals, and which in the patent drawings -would represent the type of the accumulator wheels for printing the -totals of addition and multiplication or the remainders of subtraction -and division. - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Baldwin Patent No. 159,244] - -[Illustration: Baldwin Machine] - -The figures showing below serve to register multiples of addition and -subtraction which would read as the multiplier in multiplications -or the quotient in division. These wheels are the type wheels N, in -the patent drawings, which serve the purpose of recording the named -functions of calculation. - -The means by which the type wheels of the upper row are turned through -the varying degrees of rotation they receive to register the results -of calculation, consists of a crank-driven, revolvable drum, marked E, -which is provided with several denominational series of projectable -gear teeth h, which may be made to protrude through the drum by -operation of the digital setting-knobs g, situated on the outside of -the drum. - -These knobs, as shown in the patent drawings, are fast to radial arms, -each of which serves as one of three spokes of a half-wheel device, -operating inside the drum and pivoted on the inner hub of the drum. - -These half wheels marked F, in the drawings, by means of their cam -faces h¹, serve to force the gear teeth out through the face of the -drum, or let them recede under the action of their springs as the knobs -g, are operated forward and back in the slots x, of the drum provided -for the purpose. - -As will be noted from the photographic reproduction of the machine, -these slots are notched to allow the arms extending through them to -be locked in nine different radial positions, and that each of these -positions are marked progressively from 0 to 9. - -This arrangement allows the operator to set up numbers in the different -orders by springing the setting-knobs g to the left and pulling them -forward to the number desired, where it will become locked in the notch -when released. This action will have forced out as many gear teeth -in each order as have been set up by the knobs g in their respective -orders. - -The lateral positions of the projectable gear teeth correspond to -the spacing of the type-wheels, and an intermediate gear G, meshing -with each type, or register wheel, is loosely mounted on the shaft H, -interposed between the said wheels and the actuating drum E, so that -when the drum is revolved by the crank provided for that purpose, the -gear teeth protruding from the drum will engage the intermediate gears -G, and turn them and their type or register wheels as many of their ten -points of rotation as have been set up in their respective orders of -the setting devices of the drum. - -Revolving the drum in one direction adds, while revolving it in the -opposite direction subtracts, and repeated revolutions in either -direction give respectively the multiple forms of addition or -subtraction which result in either multiplication or division, as the -case may be. - -The actuating drum E, is provided with means by which it may be shifted -to the left to furnish means for multiplying by more than one factor -and to simplify the process of division. - -The means for the carry of the tens consist of a series of teeth i, -formed by the bent end of a pivoted spring-pressed lever arm which is -pivoted to the inside of the actuating drum with the tooth protruding -through a slot in the drum, so arranged as to allow motion of the tooth -in a direction parallel to the drum axis. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Pottin Patent No. 312,014] - -Normally these teeth are held in a position to escape engagement with -the intermediate gears G, but provision is made for camming the teeth -i, to the left into the path of an intermediate gear of one order as -the type or register wheel of the lower order passes from 9 to 0. - -The parts which perform this function are the cam m, located on the -left side of each wheel, the plunger M, which operates in the fixed -shaft H, and which has a T-shaped head that, when projected into the -path of the carrying teeth i, serve to cam them sidewise and bring -about the engagement referred to, which results in the higher type or -numeral wheel being stepped forward one space. - -The cam-lugs j on the drum serve to engage and push back the T heads of -the cam plungers M, after they have brought about the one-step movement -of the higher wheel. - -[Sidenote: _Baldwin’s printing mechanism_] - -The printing device consists of a hand-manipulated frame pivoted to -the main frame of the machine by the shaft t. The paper is supplied -from a roll about the shaft t, and an ink-ribbon is fed back and forth -from the rolls u and u¹ over bars of the printing-frame which protrude -through slots in the casing and act as platens for the impression of -the paper and ink-ribbon against the type. - -It is presumed that the paper was torn off after a record was printed -in the same manner as in the more modern machines. - - -THE POTTIN MACHINE - -Eight years after the Baldwin patent was issued, a Frenchman named -Henry Pottin, residing in Paris, France, invented a machine for -recording cash transactions, which he patented in England in 1883 and -in the United States in 1885 (see illustration on opposite page). - -The form and design of the machine, as will be noted, correspond quite -favorably with the scheme of the present-day cash register, although it -lacks the later refinement that has made the cash register acceptable -from a visible point of view. - -[Sidenote: _First key-set crank-operated machine and first attempt to -record the items in addition_] - -The Pottin invention is named here as the first in which two of the -prime principles of the recording-adders of today are disclosed; one -is the depressable key-set feature and the other is the recording of -the numerical items. The Pottin machine was the first known depressable -key-set crank-operated machine made to add columns of figures and the -first machine in which an attempt was made to print the numerical items -as they were added. - -Turning to the illustration of the U. S. patent drawings of the Pottin -machine, the reader will note that there are four large wheels shown, -marked B. These wheels are what may be called the type-wheels, although -they also serve as indicator wheels for registering cash sales. The -type figures are formed by a series of needles fixed in the face of the -wheels. - -The means employed for presenting the proper type figure for printing -and likewise the indicator figures to indicate the amount set up in -each denominational order was as follows: - -Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that to each type-wheel is geared -a spring-actuated segmental rack marked D, which, as shown in the -drawing, is in contact with a pin marked i, which protrudes from the -side of the depressed number (9) key. - -The normal position of the rack D, is indicated in dotted lines showing -the next higher sector which has not been displaced by key depression. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Pottin machine_] - -Each key, as will be noted from Fig. 7, is provided with one of the -pins i, which is normally out of the path of the lug j, as the racks D, -drop forward; but when any key is depressed the pin is presented in the -path of the lug j, and stops further forward action of the rack. - -It will be noted that the arrangement of the keys is such as will allow -progressively varying degrees of action to the segmental racks D. This -variation, combined with the geared relation of the type-wheels and -racks is equivalent to a tenth of a rotation of the type-wheel for each -successive key in the order of their arrangement from 1 to 9. - -The means provided for holding the segmental racks D, at normal, also -serves to hold a key of the same order depressed, and consists of a -pivoted spring-pressed latch-frame marked E (see Figs. 7 and 8). - -With such a combination, the depression of keys in the several orders -will unlatch the segmental racks, and the racks, through the tension -of their actuating springs, will turn the wheels and present a type -corresponding to the numerical value of each key depressed. - -A hand lever, marked R, located on left side of the machine provides -power for printing the items. Another hand lever, marked J, serves -to restore the segmental racks, type-wheels and the keys to normal, -and through the co-operation of the lever R, adds the items to the -totalizer numeral wheels, which are shown in Fig. 1 as the numbered -wheels marked v. - -The paper is supplied from a roll mounted on a hinged platen frame P¹, -supported in its normal position by a spring P³. The paper passes under -the roller P, which acts as a platen for the impression of the type. A -shaft Q, passing under the frame P¹, is fast and rigidly connected on -the left-hand side of the machine with the hand lever R, and acts as a -pivot for the said lever and by means of lateral projections q, serves -when the lever R is operated to engage the frame P¹, and depresses it -until the needle types have pricked the numerical items through the -paper. - -A slit in the casing provided means for printing the item on a separate -piece of paper or bill. - -Although there is no means shown by which the paper is fed after an -item is printed, it is claimed in the specification that the well-known -means for such feeding may be employed. The actuating lever J referred -to, is connected by a ratchet and geared action with the shaft F[3], -so that a revolution is given the said shaft each time the lever is -operated. - -[3] NOTE: All the drawings of the Pottin patent are not shown here. - -To the shaft F, (see Fig. 1) is attached a series of arms H, one for -each order, which, as the shaft revolves in the direction of the arrow, -engages a lug marked I, on the segmental racks D, thus rocking the -segments back to normal, turning the type-wheels with them. - -The return of the segment racks D, cause the back of the latch-tooth -f¹, (see Fig. 8) to engage the latch-tooth f, of the latch bar E, -camming it out of engagement with the keys so that any key that has -been set will return by means of its own spring. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Burroughs Patent No. 388,118] - -[Illustration: Wm. S. Burroughs] - -The total or accumulator numeral wheels are connectable with the type -or indicating wheels B, by an engaging and disengaging gear motion set -up by the combined action of the hand levers R and J, which first cause -such gear engagement, and then, through the return of the type wheels -to zero, turn the accumulator wheels, thus transferring the amount of -the item set upon the type wheels to the accumulator wheels. - -The specification claims the machine is intended for use by cashiers, -bank-tellers, and others, to record receipts or disbursements. - -It is also claimed in the specification that instead of the needle type -ordinary type may be used in combination with an inking ribbon if so -desired. - -[Sidenote: _Early efforts of Wm. S. Burroughs_] - -One of the next attempts to produce a recording-adder was made by Wm. -S. Burroughs, whose name sixteen years later was used to rename the -American Arithmometer Co., now known as the Burroughs Adding Machine Co. - -The first patent issued to Burroughs, No. 388116, under date of August -21, 1888, like the machine of Barbour and Baldwin, was designed to -record only the final result of calculation. - -On the same date, but of later application, another patent, No. 388118, -was issued to Burroughs which claimed to combine the recording of the -numerical items and the recording of the totals in one machine. Some of -the drawings of this patent have been reproduced. (See opposite page.) - - -MACHINE OF EARLY BURROUGHS PATENT - -Referring to the drawings of the Burroughs patent, it will be noted, -that in outward form, the machine is similar to the Burroughs machine -of today. To give a detailed description of the construction of the -machine of this Burroughs patent would make tedious reading and take -unnecessary space. - -[Sidenote: _General scheme of Burroughs’ first inventions_] - -The principle involved in the mechanism for recording the items is very -similar to that of the Pottin invention; the setting of the type wheels -being effected as in the Pottin machine by means of segment gears which -the depression of the keys serves to unlatch, and acts to gauge the -additive degree of their movement. - -Burroughs used the inking form of type proposed as an alternative by -Pottin in his patent specification instead of the needles shown in the -Pottin drawings. - -In the Burroughs patent, as in the Pottin, it will be noted that there -are two sets of wheels bearing figures, one set of which, marked J, -situated at the rear, are the type-wheels, and the other set, marked A, -at the front of the machine, are for the accumulation of the totals. - -For each denominational order of the type and total wheels, there -is provided an actuating segmental gear, consisting of a two-armed -segmental lever pivoted to the shaft C, and having the gear teeth of -its rear arm constantly in mesh with the pinion gear of the type-wheel -J, and the gear teeth of the forward arm normally presented to, but out -of mesh with the pinion gear of its total wheel A. - -Each of these denominational actuators or segment gears is provided -with a stop projection X², at the top end of its forward gear rack, -which serves as a means for interrupting the downward movement of -that end of the segment lever, and thus controls its movement as a -denominational actuator. - -It will be noted that instead of the key-stems acting directly as a -stop for the denominational actuators, as in the Pottin invention, -Burroughs used a bell crank type of key lever and the stop-wire C¹ as -an intermediate means, and in this manner produced a flat keyboard more -practical for key manipulation. - -[Sidenote: _Brief description of machine of early Burroughs patents_] - -The stop-wires C¹, as will be noted, are arranged to slide in slots -of the framework, and while normally not presented in the path of the -stop-projection X², of the denominational actuators, it may be observed -that by the depression of the proper key any one of them may be drawn -rearward and into the path of the stop projection X², of its related -actuator, and thus serve as a means to intercept the downward action of -the actuator. - -The denominational actuators in the Burroughs machine were not provided -with spring tension that would cause them to act as soon as unlatched -by depression of the keys as has been described in relation to the -Pottin invention. - -While the keys in the Burroughs machine, as in the Pottin invention, -served also to unlatch the denominational actuators in their respective -orders, no movement of the said actuators or type-wheels took place -until a secondary action was performed. - -The secondary action, or the operation of the hand lever, marked C⁵, -attached to the shaft C, on its initial or forward stroke dragged the -denominational actuators down by means of friction and thus set the -type-wheels, and by means claimed in the specification, brought about -the type impression to print the result of the key-setting or the item -so set. - -The backward or rear stroke of the hand lever caused the accumulator or -total numeral wheels to be engaged and the item to be added to them. - -From this single lever action it will be noted that there is an -improvement shown over and above the Pottin invention in the fact that -but one lever motion is required; Pottin having provided two levers so -that in the event of error the operation of one lever would reset the -machine without performing any addition or printing. - -In the Burroughs invention, the motion of denominational actuators and -their type-wheels not being effected through depression of keys, as in -the Pottin machine, allowed any error in the setting up of an item to -be corrected by the resetting of the keys and relatching of the gears, -which it is claimed was provided for by operation of the lever marked -B⁷ (Fig. 1 of the drawings). - -As a means of supplying power to his denominational actuators, -Burroughs provided what may be called a universal actuator common to -all orders, composed of a rock-frame (arms D², loose on each end of -actuating shaft C, and having their outward ends rigidly connected by -the bar a⁹) and the arms E, fixed to each end of the shaft C. - -Projecting from the inside of each of the arms E, are two lugs, b¹ and -b³, which contact with the arms D² of the rock-frame as the shaft C is -rocked back and forth by its hand crank C⁵, and thus lower and raise -the rock-frame. - -The means employed to transmit the reciprocating action of the -universal actuator to such denominational actuators as may be unlatched -by key depression, consists of a series of spring-pressed arc-shaped -levers D¹, pivoted to the rock-frame bar a⁹, which bear against a pin -b² fixed in the front arm of the denominational actuators. - -Each of the levers D¹, is provided with a notch y, which serves on -the downward action of the rock-frame to engage the pins b², of the -denominational actuators and draw down with them such actuators as have -been unlatched by key depression and to pass over the pins of such -actuators as have not been unlatched. - -When in the course of such downward movement the denominational -actuators are intercepted by the stop-wires C¹, the yielding spring -pressure of the levers D¹, allow the notches y, to slip over the pins -b², and leave the denominational actuators and their type-wheels set -for recording the item thus set up. - -The means provided for impression of the type is shown in other -drawings of a patent not reproduced here. The means provided consisted -of a universal platen, which, the specification states, serves to press -the ink-ribbon and paper against the type after all the figures of each -item were set. - -While Barbour, Baldwin and Pottin all used the universal platen to -print the collective setting of type represented in the items or -totals, as the case may be, each varied somewhat in detail. Baldwin -used a toggle to press the platen toward the type, while Burroughs used -a spring to press the platen against the type and a toggle to press it -away from the type. - -Burroughs claimed to have combined in his invention the printing of -the totals, with the printing of the items, each of which it has been -shown was claimed by the patentees of previous inventions but had not -been combined in one machine prior to the Burroughs attempt. - -The process for recording these totals in the Burroughs patent -consisted of utilizing the action of the total wheels during their -resetting or zeroizing movement to gauge the setting of the type-wheels. - -The specification shows that, during the downward motion or setting -of the denominational actuators, as they set the type wheels, the -numeral wheels are out of gear and receive no motion therefrom; and -that after the recording of each item and during the return motion of -denominational actuators, the numeral or total wheels are revolved -forward in their accumulative action of adding the items and thus -registering the total. - -Provision is made, however, when it is desired to print the totals, to -cause the totalizing wheels to enmesh with the denominational actuators -on their downward or setting movement, and for the unlatching of all -the racks so that by operating the hand lever C⁵, the downward action -of the racks will reverse the action of the totalizing wheels, which -will revolve backward until the zeros show at the visible reading -point, where they will be arrested by stops provided for that purpose. -By this method the forward rotation accumulated on each wheel will, -through the reverse action of zeroizing, give a like degree of action -to the type-wheels through the denominational actuators. Thus the -registration of the total wheels, it is claimed, will be transferred -to the type-wheels and the record printed thereof as a footing to the -column of numerical items that have been added. - -[Sidenote: _All early arithmetical printing devices impractical_] - -To pass judgment on the recording machines of the patents that have -been described, from the invention of Barbour to that of Burroughs, -demands consideration, first, as to whether in any of the machines of -these patents the primary features of legible recording were present. - -The question as to operativeness respecting other features is of no -consideration until it is proven that the means disclosed for recording -was practical. As non-recording adding or calculating machines they -were not of a type that could compete with the more speedy key-driven -machines dealt with in the preceding chapters; therefore without -the capacity for legible recording, these patents must stand as -representing a nonentity or as statutory evidence of the ineffective -efforts of those who conceived the scheme of their make-up and -attempted to produce a recording-adding machine. - -Without the capacity for legible recording, of what avail is it that -the machine of one of these patents should disclose advantages over -another? It may be conceded that there are features set forth in the -Pottin and Burroughs patents that if operatively combined with legible -recording would disclose quite an advanced state of the Art at the time -they were patented. But credit for such an operative combination cannot -be given until it exists. - -There is no desire to question the ingenuity displayed by any of -these inventors, but in seeking the first practical recording-adding -or calculating machine we must first find an operative machine of -that type; one which will record in a practical and legible manner -regardless of its other qualifications. - -[Sidenote: _Practical method for recording disclosed later_] - -The fact that the fundamental principle used for the impression of the -type in the practical recorder of today is not displayed in any of -these inventions, raises the question as to the effective operativeness -of the printing scheme disclosed in the patents of these early machines. - -In each of the four alleged recording-adding machine patents described, -it will be noted that the means employed for printing was that of -pressing the paper against the group of type by means of a universal -platen or plate. - -While with such a combination it may be possible to provide a set -pressure great enough to legibly print a numerical item or total having -eight to ten figures through an ink ribbon, it would not be practical -to use the same pressure to print a single-digit figure, as it would -cause the type to break through the paper. And yet in the numerical -items and totals that have to be recorded in machines of the class -under consideration, such wide variation is constantly encountered. - -We are all familiar with the typewriter and the legible printing it -produces. But suppose instead of printing each letter separately the -whole word should be printed at once by a single-key depression, -then, of course, single-letter words, such as the article “a” or the -pronoun “I” would also have to be printed by a single-key depression. -In this supposition we find a parallel of the requirements of a -recording-adding machine. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Drawings of Ludlum Patent No. 384,373] - -[Sidenote: _Inoperative features of early recording mechanism_] - -If it were possible to so increase the leverage of the typewriter -keys enough to cause a word of ten letters to be printed as legibly -as a single letter is now printed, ten times the power would have -to be delivered at the type-head. Then think what would happen with -that same amount of power applied to print the letter “a,” or letter -“I.” You would not question that under such conditions the type would -break a hole in the paper. And yet the patentees of the said described -inventions wanted the public to believe that their inventions were -operative. But to be operative as recording-adding machines, they must -meet such variable conditions as described. - -It is useless to believe that a variation of from one to ten or more -type could be printed by a set amount of pressure through an ink-ribbon -and be legible under all circumstances. - -While the needle-type of Pottin may have printed the items legibly -enough for a cash register, it would not serve the purpose of a record -for universal use. The use of regular type and the inking ribbon -proposed in his specification would bring it within the inoperative -features named. - - -THE LUDLUM MACHINE - -In 1888, about two months prior to the issue of the Burroughs recording -machine patent just referred to, a patent was issued to A. C. Ludlum -for an adding and writing-machine. (See illustration on opposite page.) - -[Sidenote: _Adding mechanism attached to typewriter_] - -It will be noted by reference to the drawings that the scheme is that -of a typewriter with an adding mechanism attached. - -The details of the typewriter may be omitted, as most of us are -familiar with typewriters. A feature that differed from the regular -typewriter, however, was that the machine printed figures only and the -carriage operated in the opposite direction, thus printing from right -to left instead of left to right. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Ludlum machine_] - -A series of numeral wheels and their devices for the transfer of the -tens, designed to register the totals, are shown mounted in a shiftable -frame connected with the bar marked F, with the typewriter carriage, -and is claimed to move therewith. - -Each numeral wheel is provided with a gear marked G, which, as the -carriage moves after writing or printing each figure of the item, is -supposed to slide into mesh one at a time with an adding gear marked -H, the engagement taking place from right to left. Or beginning with -the right or units numeral wheel a higher order numeral wheel gear is -supposed to shift through movement of the carriage into engagement with -the adding gear H, each time a key is depressed. - -The adding gear H, is supposed to receive varying degrees of rotation -from the keys according to their numerical marking and to rotate the -numeral wheel with which it happens to be engaged, a corresponding -number of its ten marked points of registration. - -Between the adding gear H, and the keys which act to drive it, is a -ratchet and gear device consisting of the ratchet pawl pivoted to the -adding gear H, the ratchet I⁶, and its pinion gear, the segment gear -I² fast to the rock shaft I, the nine arms I¹ fast to the rock shaft -and the pins I², which are arranged in the key levers to contact with -and depress the arms I¹ of the rock shaft varying distances, according -to the value of the key depressed. That is, supposing that the full -throw of the key-lever was required to actuate the rock shaft with -its gear and ratchet connection to give nine-tenths of a revolution -to the numeral wheel in adding the digit nine, the pin I² in the (9) -key-lever would in that case be in contact with its arm I¹, of the -rock shaft, but the pins I², of each of the other key levers would be -arranged to allow lost motion before the pin should engage its arm I¹ -of the rock shaft, in accordance with the difference of their adding -value. - -According to the specification, Ludlum evidently had the idea that he -could stop the adding gear H, while under the high rate of speed it -would receive from a quick depression of a key, by jabbing the detent -J between the fine spacing of the gear teeth shown in his drawing. -But to those familiar with the possibility of such stop devices, its -inoperativeness will be obvious; not that the principle properly -applied would not work, for its application by Felt prior to that of -Ludlum proved the possibilities of this method of gauging additive -actuation. - -The detent lever J, as shown in the drawings, is operated by the hinged -plate D, through action of the key levers, as any one of them are -depressed. - -Under depression of a key, the hinged plate D, being carried down with -it, engages the arm J³ of the detent and throws the tooth at its upper -end into the teeth of the gear H. - -The timing of the entry of the tooth of the detent is supposed to be -gauged to enter the right tooth, but as the action of these parts is -fast, slow or medium at the will of the operator, considerable time -must be allowed for variation in the entry of the detent tooth, which -requires space, as certain parts will fly ahead under the sudden impact -they may receive from a quick stroke, where they would not under a slow -stroke, but no allowance was provided for such contingency. - -The means provided for the carry of the tens consist of the gears G⁹, -meshing with the numeral wheel gears and the single gear tooth g⁹, -attached to it, which, at each revolution of the lower wheel, as it -passes from 9 to 0, engages the gear of the numeral wheel of higher -denomination and was supposed to turn the higher gear one-tenth of a -revolution, thus registering one greater. - -On account of the Gears G⁹, of one order and the gear tooth g⁹, of -another order operating on the same numeral wheel gear, the transfer -gears are arranged alternately on separate shafts, one at the side and -one below the numeral wheels. - -[Sidenote: _Ludlum machine inoperative_] - -The mechanical scheme disclosed in the Ludlum patent, to the -unsophisticated may seem to be operative. But to those familiar with -the Art of key-driven adding mechanism it will at once be obvious that -even if the typewriter feature was constructed properly the possibility -of correctly adding the items as they were printed was absolutely -impossible. - -Laying aside several other features of inoperativeness, obvious to -those who know such mechanism, the reader, although not versed in the -Art of key-driven adding mechanism, will observe from the preceding -chapter, that the means provided for transferring the tens without -any control for the numeral wheels against over-rotation, would make -correct addition impossible. - -The drawings and specification of the Ludlum patent disclose a mere -dream and show that they were not copied from the make-up of an -operative machine. - -It was a daring scheme and one that none but a dreamer would undertake -to construct in the method shown. There have in later years been some -successful ten-key recording machines made and sold, but they were of a -very different design and principle. - -There have also been several adding attachments made and sold that -could be adjusted to a regular commercial typewriter that are claimed -to be dependable, but none of these machines were early enough to be -claimed as the first operative recording-adding machine, or the first -adding machine in which the principle used for the legible recording of -the numerical items used in the machines of today may be found. - -[Illustration] - - - - -FIRST PRACTICAL RECORDERS - - -The fact that Barbour, Baldwin, Pottin, Ludlum and Burroughs attempted -to produce a recording-adding machine shows that as far back as 1872, -and at periods down to 1888, there was at least in the minds of these -men a conception of the usefulness of such a machine, and the fact that -there were five with the same thought is fairly good evidence of the -need for a machine of this class. - -[Sidenote: _Burroughs a bank clerk_] - -In some of the human-interest articles issued through the advertising -department of the Burroughs Adding Machine Co. it is stated that -Wm. Seward Burroughs was a bank clerk prior to his efforts at -adding machine construction. It is conceivable, therefore, that his -first efforts at adding machine invention should be directed toward the -production of a machine that would be of service in the bank for the -bringing together of the loose items of account that are to be found in -the form of checks, drafts, and the like, by printing a record of the -items and their totals during the process of adding them together. - -[Sidenote: _Felt interested in recorder Art_] - -It is not surprising, therefore, that a manufacturer of a successful -calculating machine should, through his contact with the trade, come -to the conclusion that there was use for a machine of this class -in the banks. As proof of this, we find that an application for a -recording-adding machine patent was filed January 19, 1888, by D. E. -Felt, which was allowed and issued June 11, 1889. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 405,024] - -[Sidenote: _Felt’s first recording machine_] - -Some of the drawings of this patent will be found reproduced on the -opposite page, from which the reader will note that Felt combined his -scheme for recording with the mechanism of the machine he was then -manufacturing and selling under the trade name of “Comptometer.” - -In this patent is shown the first application of the type sector -combined with the individual type impression for printing the figures -of the items as they were added, thus giving equal impression, whether -there were one or a dozen figures in the item or total to be printed. - -While the average mechanical engineer would not at a glance recognize -any great advantage in placing the type figures directly on the sector -instead of using the type-wheel and segment gear to drive it, as shown -in two of the previously described patents, there is plenty of evidence -of its advantage in the fact that all the later successful inventors -have followed the Felt scheme. It provided more simple construction for -the narrow space these parts must occupy for practical linear spacing. - -[Sidenote: _Fell recording mechanism combined with his calculating -machine_] - -As the adding mechanism of this machine corresponds to that of the Felt -patent 371,496, previously described in the preceding chapter, it is -not necessary to duplicate the description here. Suffice it to say, -that by the depression of a key in any order, the value of that key is -added to the numeral wheel of that order, and if the figure added is -great enough when added to that previously registered on the wheel, a -ten will be transferred to the higher wheel by a carrying mechanism -specially provided to allow the said higher wheel being in turn -operated by an ordinal series of keys, thus providing the means whereby -a series of denominational orders of key-driven adding mechanism may be -interoperative. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Felt’s first recorder_] - -In Fig. 2 of the drawings is shown the result of striking the (8) key, -which may be considered illustrative of such action in any order, -whether units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc. - -The depression of the (8) key is shown to have carried the lever D down -eight of its nine additive points of movement, causing the plunger 15, -bearing against its upper edge, to drop with it under the action of the -plunger spring 17. - -To the upper end of this plunger, is pivotally attached an arm of -the type sector U, which is in turn pivoted to the rod y, and by -the lowering of the plunger 15, is rocked on its pivot, raising the -type-head until the number (8) type is presented opposite the printing -bar or platen T, which is hung on the pivot arms T¹, so that it may be -swung forward and backward. - -An ink-ribbon w, and its shifting mechanism is provided, as shown in -Fig. 1; the paper v, is supplied in ribbon form from a roll and passes -between the ink-ribbon and the platen T. - -Normally, the platen, the paper and the ink-ribbon are in a retracted -position, allowing space for the type sector to raise and lower freely. -But, as shown in Fig. 2, a type impression is taking place through the -escapement of the cam wheel R¹ which is located back of the platen, -and which, as shown, has forced the cam lever 1 forward, pressing the -spring p, against the platen T, thus forcing the paper and ribbon -forward against the type, and printing the figure 8. - -After the cam-tooth passes, the platen, paper, ink-ribbon and spring -return to normal, allowing the type sector freedom to drop when the key -is released. - -The cam wheel R is propelled by a spring S (Fig. 1), wound by the -hand-knob S³, and is released for action through the escapement of the -pallet wheel R attached to the cam wheel R and the pallet c. - -The pallet c is tripped each time a key is depressed and is shown in -the tripped position operated by the link P and the plural-armed lever -O, N, which through its manifold arms N, may receive action through -pins a, of any of the rock bars L, as they are depressed by the keys. - -The cycle of action described takes place with every key depressed, -except that the movement of the type sector varies according to the key -depressed. - -[Sidenote: _First individualized type impression combined with printing -sector_] - -As the printing in this Felt invention was by individualized type -impression, legibility of recording as well as accurate addition was -obtained. Although this patent shows that Felt had produced such an -operative combination, there are two features in this patent which -would prevent its becoming a marketable machine. - -One of these features was that of having to wind the motor spring that -furnished power for the type impression. The other feature was that -there was no provision for printing the ciphers. Although the ciphers -were always omitted from the keyboard of non-recording adders, as they -could perform no function in addition or other forms of calculation, -they could not without inconvenience, be eliminated from items in -recording. - - -THE SECOND FELT RECORDER - -[Sidenote: _First practical arithmetical recorder_] - -While the last-described Felt patent was still pending, Felt improved -his mechanism for recording, installing new features and eliminating -the objectionable features referred to. These improvements were of -such a satisfactory nature that the Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co. made -twenty-five recording-adders, with the new features, which were sold to -various banks. The first of these machines was placed on trial with the -Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa., in December -of 1889. - -Good evidence of the practical features of this machine was set forth -in a testimonial given at the time by W. A. Shaw, the cashier of the -bank, after it had been given a six months’ test. This testimonial is -extant and has been reproduced on opposite page. - -[Sidenote: _The first sale of a recording-adding machine on record_] - -Records show that the bank purchased that “Comptograph,” which was the -trade name given the Felt recording-adder, and used it until 1899, at -which time this machine, along with others of the same make purchased -at a later date, were replaced by the bank with “Comptographs” of more -modern type. - -This Felt recording machine was without question the first practical -recording-adding machine ever sold that would produce legible printed -records of items and totals under the variable conditions that have to -be met in such a class of recording. - -[Illustration: Testimonial] - -[Illustration: Felt Recording and Listing Machine. - -Purchased and Used for Ten Years by the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank -of Pittsburgh, Pa. - -Machine is now in the National Museum at Washington] - -After ten years of service this first practical recording-adding -machine was still in excellent condition, and in 1907 was secured -by the Comptograph Co. from the Bank of Pittsburgh, into which the -Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank, along with other banks, had -been merged. It was finally procured by Mr. Felt and presented to -the National Museum of Washington, D. C., where it may now be found -on exhibit along with other inventions produced by Felt. A photo -reproduction of this machine as it appeared before it was presented to -the Museum, is shown on the opposite page. - -[Sidenote: _Features of first practical recorder_] - -Like the machine of the first Felt recorder patent, it was a visible -printer, each figure being printed as the key was depressed, the paper -being shifted by the hand lever shown at the right. - -Unlike the former machine, however, the operator was not called upon to -perform the extra operation of winding up a spring to furnish power for -the printing. - -Power for the printing was stored by the action of the paper -shift-lever and an entirely different printing device was used. -Provision for printing the ciphers automatically was also a feature of -this machine. It was not necessary to operate cipher keys, and there -were no such keys to be operated. To print an item having ciphers in -it required only the omission of the ciphers as the ciphers would -automatically fill in. - -The arrangement of the paper shows a good improvement over the first -machine, as it was more accessible, being fed from a roll at the top -down and around rolls below and looped back so that it is moved upward -on the printed surface, where it may be torn off as desired. - -The mechanism of this machine is not illustrated in any one patent. -The Felt patents Nos. 441,233 and 465,255 cover the new feature, but -the later patent, No. 465,255, shows it best. Some of the drawings of -the last-named patent are reproduced on the opposite page to help in -explanation of the details of the new features. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Felt’s second recorder_] - -By referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the form of the -front of the casing differs from the machine. Other drawings of the -patent, not shown here, disclose features of still later invention -than were in the machine of the photo reproduction. But it is with the -printing device that we are now interested, and it was in this patent -that it was first shown in the form used in the first marketed machine -referred to. - -The type sector marked 81 is like that of the first patent, except that -it is provided with the ciphers as well as the nine digits. - -The cipher type are always presented for printing when the sectors -are resting at normal. Thus, if an impression can be made without -depressing the keys in that order, a cipher will be printed, as will be -shown later. - -Back of the paper and pivoted to the rod 97, are a series of printing -hammers 87, one for each type sector. - -The hammers are operated by the spring 88, and are shown retained -against the tension of their springs by the trigger latches 89. - -These trigger latches are pivoted on the fixed shaft 171ᵃ, and actuated -by the springs 92 to cause their engagement with the notch 90 of the -printing hammers. - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 465,255] - -Each of the trigger latches are provided with a laterally extending lug -93, formed on their lower arm, and each lug overlaps the back of the -lower arm of the adjacent trigger latch to the right of it, so that if -any trigger latch should be operated so as to extricate it from the -notch 50 of its printing hammer, its overlapping lug 93, would cause a -like action of the trigger latch to the right of that, and so on; thus -releasing all the trigger latches to the right of the latch originally -released. Such releasing, of course, allowed the printing-hammers 87, -to spring forward in all the orders so affected. - -The long-stop actuating lever marked 16, corresponds with the lever -G of the Felt key-driven calculator shown in a preceding chapter, -and performs the same function as the rock bars L of the first Felt -recorder patent. These stop levers 16 are pivoted at 17, and are -provided with rear arms 86, extending upward with their ends opposite -the lateral extending lug 93, of the trigger latch, which corresponds -to the order of keys which the lever 16 serves. - -In the rear upwardly-extending end of each of these levers 16, an -adjusting screw 91, is provided as a tappet for tripping the trigger -latch corresponding to its order. - -From the above-described combination of mechanism, it may be seen that -if a key in any order is depressed, it will, as it comes in contact -with the stop lever 16, not only cause the adding mechanism to be -stopped through the stop 19, but it will also, through its rear arm -86, cause the trigger latch of its order to trip, and likewise all the -trigger latches and printing-hammers to the right, thus printing the -figure presented on the printing sector in the order in which the key -was operated and the ciphers in the orders to the right in case the -keys in the order to the right have not previously been operated. - -The individual presentation of the type figures upon key depression, -except for the ciphers which were normally presented for printing, -required that in striking the keys, to give correct recording of the -items, the operation must be from right to left. That is, for example, -if the item to be added was $740.85, the operator would depress the (5) -key in the units cents column, the (8) key in the tens of cents column; -the cipher in the units dollars column would be omitted, the (4) key in -the tens of dollars, and the (7) key in the hundreds of dollars column -would be struck. - -The printing hammers were provided with means for resetting after being -tripped in the recording action. This means is connected with the paper -shift-lever, so that as the paper was shifted or fed upward, ready -for recording the next item, the printing-hammers were all reset and -latched on their respective trigger latches, ready for a new item. - -Fixed to the shaft 97, on which the printing-hammers are pivoted, is a -bail, marked 98, part of which is shown in the drawing, the horizontal -bar of which normally lies under and out of the way of the hammers as -they plunge forward in printing. And attached to the right-hand end of -the shaft 97, is a crank arm connected by a link to the paper-shift -hand-lever, which may be seen on the right in the photo reproduction of -the machine. This connection is arranged so that depressing the lever -causes the shaft 97 to rock the bail 98 rearward, thus picking up any -tripped printing-hammers and relatching them. - -The totals had to be printed, as in the first-described Felt recorder, -by depressing a key corresponding in value to the figure showing on the -wheel in each order. - -[Sidenote: _Felt principle of printing adopted by all manufacturers of -recorders_] - -The principle involved in the individual hammer-blow, combined with -the ordinal type sector for recording in a recording-adder was new, -and was the feature that has made the adding-recording machine of -today possible, as is well in evidence by the presence of this -combination in all the recorders that have been made by the successful -manufacturers of listing or recording-adding and calculating machines. -Some manufacturers have substituted a vertical moving type bar for the -pivoted sector, but the scheme is the same, as the purpose is to get -the arrangement of the type in columnar order, and does not change the -fundamental features of the combination which furnished the practical -means for the individual type impression. - - -THE FELT TABULATOR - -[Sidenote: _Wide paper carriage for tabulating_] - -The next feature in the Art, that has served in the make-up of the -up-to-date recorders, was the wide paper-carriage. This feature will -probably be recognized by many as a means supplied for the recording of -columns of items in series on sheet-paper. - -As will be noted, roll-paper in ribbon form had been used in all the -previously illustrated and described recorders. While the Ludlum -patent shows a carriage, it had no capacity for handling more than a -single column of numerical items. The carriage in the Ludlum machine -was a feature necessary to the typewriter construction and offered no -solution to the feature of tabulating. - -[Illustration: Felt Tabulator] - -[Sidenote: _The wide paper carriage machine_] - -The first disclosure of the wide carriage feature for tabulating was -in a machine made by D. E. Felt in 1889, which he exhibited to the -U. S. Census Bureau at Washington, D. C., in 1890. The machine was -also exhibited at the World’s Fair in Chicago, in 1893, along with -other products in this line of the Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co. A photo -reproduction of this machine is shown on opposite page. - -The machine was left at the Census Bureau, where it was used for -several weeks, and was very much liked. Felt made a contract to furnish -ten machines of this type, and the machine was recommended for purchase -by G. K. Holmes, Special Agent of the Census Bureau, but like many -other government department requisitions, the purchase order was never -issued. - -Although this feature is now found in all first-class recording-adders, -the recording machine Art was too new in 1890 for the new feature to be -appreciated, and was not pushed, as there seemed to be no demand for -the wide carriage then. On this account Felt delayed applying for a -patent on his invention until 1899. - -[Sidenote: _Litigation on tabulator patents_] - -In 1904 a license under the patent was granted the Burroughs Adding -Machine Co., but soon after the granting of the license another -manufacturer of recording-adders brought out a machine with a -wide carriage, which was the start of a series of long-drawn-out -infringement suits. The fact that Felt had delayed taking out his -patent formed the grounds on which the Court finally decided that Felt, -from lack of diligence in applying for a patent, had abandoned his -invention, which made it public property. - -The tags which may be seen tied to the carriage of the machine are the -official tags used to identify it as a court exhibit during the long -term of years the suits were pending in litigation. - -Outside of the tabulating scheme, the machine was in other respects the -same as the recorder just described as the roll-paper “Comptograph.” - -[Sidenote: _“Cross Tabulating”_] - -The paper, as may be noted, is held in a shiftable carriage and is -operated by two levers, one to feed the paper vertically and reset the -printing-hammers, while the other moved the carriage laterally for the -spacing of the columns of items or the cross-printing when desired. -Besides the lever action for shifting and paper-feeding, means were -provided on the right-hand end of the carriage for performing these -functions; one of these is the thumb knob which served to feed the -sheet of paper into the rolls; the other is a small lever which allows -the operator to shift the carriage by hand independent of the carriage -shift-lever. - - -THE THIRD FELT RECORDER - -While the first lot of recording-adders manufactured by Felt were -wholly practical, as was well proved by the statements of those who -purchased them, it is easy to pick out features in their make-up that -today, when compared with the new highly-developed Art, would seem to -make them impractical. - -The necessity of operating from right to left and the necessity of -printing the totals by key depression were features that, in view of -there being nothing better in those days, did not seem objectionable to -those who used them. They were features, however, that Felt overcame -and eliminated in the next lot of machines manufactured and placed on -the market in 1890. - -[Illustration: FELT'S COMPTOGRAPH - -One of the Early “Comptographs”] - -This lot of machines, one hundred in number (a goodly number in those -days), were equipped with a special hand-knob in front on the left side -for automatically printing the totals, and with means by which the -ciphers were printed only on operation of the paper shift-lever, which -allowed the operator to depress the keys from left to right or any way -he pleased. - -[Sidenote: _Felt recorder in “Engineering” of London, Eng._] - -The best evidence as to what these machines looked like is to be found -in the reproduction on the opposite page of an illustration which -appeared in “Engineering” of London, in 1891. - -It will be noted that the patent drawings of the Felt calculator are -also displayed. They were used to describe the adding mechanism of the -recorder. - -The total printing device is shown and described in patent No. -465,255, while the patent for the printing of the ciphers by the hand -shift-lever was not applied for until 1904. - -It may be argued, and argued true, that these two later features in -their generic application to the recording-adding machine Art were -anticipated by Burroughs in his invention herein previously described. -But, assuming that these features were operative features in the -Burroughs machine, they could not be claimed in combination with a -printing mechanism that was operative to give practical results and in -themselves did not make the recording-adder possible. Nor was the means -shown for recording the totals of use except with means for legible -recording. - -[Sidenote: _Total recording a Felt combination_] - -[Sidenote: _Legible listing of items and automatic recording of totals -first achieved by Felt_] - -There is no desire to discredit what Burroughs did, but let the credit -for what Burroughs accomplished come into its own, in accordance with -the chronological order in which it may be proved that Burroughs -really produced a machine that had a practical and legible recording -mechanism. Then we will find that to produce such proof we must accept -the fact that in all the successful recording machines manufactured and -sold by the Burroughs Adding Machine Co., the printing type-sector, the -printing type-hammers and the overlapping hammer-triggers with their -broad functioning features forming a part of Felt’s invention, have -been used to produce legible recording, and that the combination of -practical total printing was dependent on Felt’s achievement. - -[Illustration: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz] - -We might say that broadly Burroughs invented means that could be worked -in combination with the Felt printing scheme to automatically print the -totals, which is in evidence in all the practical machines put out by -the Burroughs Co. - -But such a combination was first produced by Felt in 1890, and was not -produced by Burroughs until 1892. - -As has been shown, Felt built his recording scheme into his key-driven -calculating machine, and added the paper shifting-lever to furnish the -power which was utilized finally for setting the printing-hammers and -tripping them for the ciphers. - -Such a combination divided the work, but made a two-motion machine, -whereas the adding mechanism was designed on the one-motion principle. -Now the principle of the two-motion machine was old, very old. The -great Gottfried Leibnitz invented the first two-motion calculator in -1694. (See illustration on opposite page.) - -The Leibnitz machine was a wonderful invention and there seems to be a -question as to its operativeness. As a feature of historic interest, -however, it created considerable commotion in scientific circles when -exhibited to the Royal Society of London. - -[Illustration: Leibnitz Calculator, made in 1694 - -The First Two-Motion Machine Designed to Compute Multiplication by -Repeated Addition] - -The first really practical machine of this type, however, was invented -by a Frenchman named Charles Xavier Thomas, in 1820, and has since -become known as the “Thomas Arithmometre.” - -The Thomas machine is made and sold by a number of different foreign -manufacturers, and is used to a considerable extent in Europe and to a -limited extent in the United States. - -[Sidenote: _The key-set principle more practical for recorders_] - -But two-motion calculators, from Leibnitz down to date, have always -been constructed so that the primary or first action involved merely -the setting of the controlling devices and performed no function in the -supplying of power to operate the mechanism which does the adding. With -such machines the load was thrown on to the secondary action. - -This, of course, made the primary action of setting, a very light -action, especially when keys came into use, and as there are several -key depressions to each secondary or crank action, it may be understood -that while the action of Felt’s printing or paper shift-lever was -light, the action of the keys which were called upon to perform most -of the work was much harder than it would have been if his adding -mechanism had been designed on the key-set crank-operated plan of -the regular two-motion machine such as illustrated in the Pottin or -Burroughs patents described. - -Thus, when Burroughs applied the Felt recording principle to his -key-set crank-operated adding mechanism, he produced a type of -recording machine which proved to be more acceptable from an operative -standpoint than the recorder made by Felt; and yet the writer has read -testimonials given by those who had both the Felt key-driven recorder -and the Burroughs key-set crank-operated recorders, who claimed they -could see no advantage. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Burroughs’ Patents Nos. 504,963 and -505,078] - -Probably the best proof lies in the fact that Felt finally abandoned -the key-driven feature in his recorders, as may be noted from the -later-day “Comptograph.” - - -THE FIRST PRACTICAL BURROUGHS RECORDER - -The first Burroughs patent to show the successful combination referred -to was No. 504,963, applied for May 5, 1892, and issued September 12, -1893. The printing scheme, however, while indicated in the said patent, -was applied for in a divisional patent, No. 505,078, issued on the same -date. Drawings from both these patents are shown on opposite page. - -[Sidenote: _Description of first practical Burroughs recorder_] - -[Illustration: Burroughs Recorder] - -The new printing device, as will be noted, instead of operating at -the bottom of the machine, operates at the rear and prints the paper -against a roll mounted outside of the casing. - -Outside of adopting the Felt method of printing, the general scheme -of construction used in the machine of the former-described Burroughs -patent was maintained, except that the levers D, used to drag the -denominational actuators down, were omitted, and a series of springs, -one for each actuator, was supplied to pull such levers down as are -released by key-depression when the common actuator drops under crank -action. - -Thus the description previously given will suffice for a general -understanding of the mechanical functions of the adding mechanism -and the general scheme for the setting up of the type in these later -patents. - -The construction of the type sectors, the printing-hammers and the -trigger-latches used to retain the hammers against the action of their -operating springs is best shown in the drawings of patent No. 505,078 -on page 136. Fig. 1 shows the normal relation, while Fig. 2 illustrates -the same mechanism in the act of printing. - -The type sector as shown in drawings of patent No. 505,078 is marked K, -while in the drawings of No. 504,963 it will be found marked 611ᵃ. They -are formed from a continuation of the denominational actuators for the -total register in the same manner that the type-wheel gear racks h, of -the previously described Burroughs patent were formed. - -The type u, are arranged on movable blocks marked 618, which are shown -held in their retracted or normal position by springs 682, but when -pressure is brought to bear against these type blocks in a direction -outward from the sector, the spring 682 will give and the type blocks -will slide outward in the slots provided to guide their action. - -The paper, as will be noted, is fed from a roll, up between the type -and the printing-roll 599, in the same manner as the paper of a -typewriter, and through the interposition of an ink-ribbon between the -type and the paper, the pressing of the type against the ink-ribbon, -paper and roll gives imprint. - -The pressure brought to bear on the type is through the hammer-blow -of the printing-hammers 715, of which there is one for each ordinal -printing sector. These hammers are pivoted to the rod 701, and -are spring-actuated through the medium of the pin 741, the lever -716, and spring 780, which, combined with the cam-slot w, in the -printing-hammers, serve to force the printing-hammers into the position -shown in Fig. 2. - -The printing-hammers are normally retracted and latched by a series of -trigger latches 117, through the latch-tooth b, which engages the lever -716 at v. - -Each trigger-latch 117, is pivoted on the rod 700, and provided with -an overlapping lug as shown in Fig. 4. These overlapping lugs, like -those described on the trigger-latches in the Felt patent, serve as -an automatic means of filling in the ciphers in the same manner as -described in the Felt machine. - -The means for tripping the overlapping trigger latches naturally -differed from the means shown in the Felt machine, as the Burroughs -machine was not key-driven. - -A very ingenious means for the tripping of the trigger-latches is -shown, consisting of the dogs 718, and rock-frame 711, and tie-rods -703-704, which co-operate with a cam-shoulder y on the arm of the -printing-sectors, to remain neutral or to disengage the trigger-latches -through a reciprocating action, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, patent -No. 505,078. - -The tripping action takes place at the end of the forward motion of the -actuating hand-crank through connections not shown in the drawings. - -It may be understood that on account of the overlapping of the -trigger-latches of the printing-hammers that if, as described in -relation to the Felt recording-machine, one of the trigger-latches in -any order to the left of the units order should be tripped, it would -cause all the trigger-latches to the right to be also tripped, and the -printing-hammers thus released to spring forward, giving an individual -hammer-blow for each type impression. - -Thus, if the five-hundred-dollar key should be depressed, only the -trigger latch in that order need be tripped. This is brought about -through the fact that normally the tripping-dogs 718 are held out -of tripping engagement by the cam surface y of the type-sector, as -the rock-frame in which the dogs are mounted is moved forward in its -tripping action. But as the hundred-dollar order type-sector has been -lifted through the setting of the (5) key in that order, it allows the -tripping-dog to engage the trigger-latch of that order, and through -the overlapping feature of the trigger-latches to trip and print the -ciphers to the right. - -It will be noted that the application of the printing-hammers varied in -detail from that of Felt much the same as placing the latch on the gate -post instead of on the gate. In the generic principle, however, the -individual hammer-blow for each individual impression was maintained. - -[Sidenote: _Date of use of first practical Burroughs recorder_] - -There have been many conflicting statements made regarding the date of -the first Burroughs listing or recording machine, which is probably due -to the fact that the statements were not qualified by such terms as -“practically operative” or “legible recording.” - -Dates given as that of the first Burroughs recording machine range from -1884 to 1892. In a book published by the Burroughs Co. in 1912, under -the title of the “Book of the Burroughs,” there was a statement that -the first practical machines were made in 1891. - -[Illustration: From the February 1908 Issue of Office Appliances -Magazine] - -H. B. Wyeth, at one time sales agent for the Burroughs Co., and -whose father was president of the company in 1891 and several years -thereafter, testified in court that the first sale of a Burroughs -recording machine was made about December, 1892. Corroboration of his -testimony is set forth in a Burroughs advertisement which appeared -in the February number of Office Appliances Magazine in 1908, a -reproduction of which is shown on the opposite page. - -That Burroughs was experimenting as early as 1885 is no doubt correct; -and that in this respect he antidated Felt’s first attempt to produce a -recording-adder, is not questioned. But when it comes to the question -of who produced the first practical recording-adder, there is no room -for doubt in face of the evidence at hand. - -[Illustration] - - - - -Introduction of the Modern Accounting Machine - - -As the reader has been carried along through the tangle of mechanical -efforts of the men who have racked their brains to produce means that -would relieve the burden of those who have to juggle with arithmetical -problems and masses of figures in the day’s accounting, there was one -phase of subject that has not been touched upon. While these inventors -were doing their best to benefit mankind and, without doubt, with the -thought of reaping a harvest for themselves, the public, who could have -been the prime beneficiary, did not hasten to avail themselves of the -opportunity. - -[Sidenote: _Opposition to the use of machines for accounting_] - -In the early days, when the key-driven calculator was marketed, and -later when the recording-adder was also placed on the market, the -efforts of the salesmen for each of these types of machines, in their -endeavor to interest possible purchasers, were met with anything but -enthusiasm. Of course, now and then a wide-awake businessman was -willing to be shown and would purchase, but ninety-nine out of the -hundred who really had use for a machine of either type could not at -that early date be awakened to the fact. - -Although the calculator and the recording-adder are indispensable -factors in business today, and have served to improve the lot of the -bookkeeper and those employed in expert accounting in general, they met -with very strong opposition for the first few years from employers of -this class. It was strongly evident that the efforts of book-keepers -and counting-house clerks to prevent these machines entering their -department were inspired by the fear that it would displace their -services and interfere with their chance of a livelihood. - -Again, men of this class, and even those in charge of large -departments, took the mere suggestion that they had use for a -calculator or recording-adder as an insult to their efficiency, and -would almost throw the salesman out. Others would very politely look -the machine over and tell the salesman what a wonderful machine it was, -but when asked to give the machine a trial, they would immediately back -up and say that they had absolutely no use for such a machine; whereas -possibly now the same department is using twenty-five to a hundred such -machines. - -[Sidenote: _Banks more liberal in recognition_] - -Of the two classes of machines, the recording, or listing machines, as -they are commonly called, although a later product, were the first to -sell in quantities that may be called large sales. This was probably -due to the fact that they were largely sold to the banks, who have -always been more liberal in recognizing the advantages of labor-saving -devices than any other class of business. - -The presence of these machines in the bank also had a tendency to -influence business-men to install recorders where the key-driven -calculator would have given far greater results in quantity of work and -expense of operating. In these days, however, the average businessman -is alive to his requirements, and selects what is best suited to his -needs instead of being influenced by seeing a machine used by others -for an entirely different purpose. The theory of using the printed list -of items as a means of checking back has blown into a bubble and burst, -and the non-lister has come into its own, not but what there has always -been a good sale for these machines except for the first four years. - -[Sidenote: _Improvements slow for first few years_] - -On account of the years it took to educate business into the use of -these two types of accounting machines, and the fact that the sales -of both were small at first, there were few improvements for several -years, as improvements depend upon prosperity. - -Such changes as have been made since were largely aimed at refinements, -but there are some very noteworthy features added to the performance of -both types of machines, which are explained and described in following -chapters, where the subject will be treated under the class of machines -they affect. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: The High-Speed Calculator] - - - - -The High-Speed Calculator - - -As previously stated, the calculating machine was old when Felt -improved the Art by combining the key-drive with a plurality of -co-operative orders of adding mechanism. The advantage in the machine -he produced existed in the great increase in rapid manipulation which -it offered over the older Art, especially in addition. To improve -upon Felt’s contribution to the Art of calculating machines from a -commercial standpoint demanded a combination that would give still -greater possibilities in rapid manipulation. - -[Sidenote: _Felt improvements on Comptometer_] - -The patent records show that Felt again came to the front and gave -to the public a new machine containing many new combinations of -highly-organized mechanism that produced the above-named result. The -patents showing these features are Nos. 762,520 and 762,521, the two -patents being divisional patents of the same machine. - -Although there were several patents on key-driven calculators issued to -others and a key-driven calculator placed on the market, which was sold -to some extent, none of these calculators offered anything that would -increase the possibility of more rapid manipulation than was to be had -from Felt’s old Comptometer. - -[Sidenote: _Scientific distribution of functions_] - -There is one feature about the machine of these two divisional patents -which stands out very prominently to those acquainted with the fine -points of the physical laws of mechanics. It is a feature that was not -printed into the specifications. It may be found only in the time -allowed for the mechanical movements to take place, which shows that -theoretical reasoning was the foundation for the distribution of the -functions in the machine of these patents into increments of time, and -that the arrangement of mechanism was especially designed to carry -out this primary theoretical reasoning. While it is obvious that such -procedure must accompany successful invention of mechanism, it is -seldom that we find such fineness displayed as may be found in the -timing of the mechanical functions of the later Comptometer. - -The force of the above statement may be realized by study of the -mechanical motions of the old Comptometer and then trying to improve -on them to attain greater speed of operation. Such a possibility would -depend on more rapid key-strokes. - -According to the physical laws of force and motion, to attain greater -speed of action demanded a decrease in resistance. Thus, less key -resistance must be attained to increase speed of operation. - -Felt probably knew from experience that lighter key action could not be -had by juggling with springs or by polished surfaces. He was also aware -of the infinitesimal space of time allotted to each function, as the -parts of the mechanism flew about in the merry dance they performed in -whirling the numeral wheels around while under the manipulation of an -expert operator. He couldn’t see the parts work--he could only theorize -when there was trouble; thus he alone knew the difficulties to be met -in attempting to make a more rapid calculator. - -To describe the mechanism of the new machine from drawings of these -patents would leave the reader still in the dark. What was really -accomplished can best be understood by reference to the mechanical -action in the old Comptometer. - -In order that the reader may understand the significance of what -was accomplished, let him consider this fact; that the key action -of the old “Comptometer” measured as high as eighty-six ounces to a -key depression, while in the new machine made under the two named -later patents the key depression was reduced to but twenty-two ounces -maximum, or a little over a fourth of the power required to operate the -keys of the old “Comptometer.” - -[Sidenote: _Power consumed by old carrying method_] - -Facts show that a very large part of the resistance met with in the key -depression of the old machine was caused by the high tension of the -springs which performed the carrying. This high tension was necessary -on account of the extremely small fraction of a second allowed for the -performance of their function of supplying the power that turned the -higher wheel in carrying. - -By referring to the description of the inoperative features of the Hill -machine (page 25) a parallel example of the time for the carry of the -tens in the old Comptometer may be found, showing that but a ¹/₁₆₅ of a -second was the allowance. - -The carrying means employed in the old Comptometer consisted of levers -with dogs or pawls hinged on their free ends, which co-acted with the -ten pins of the higher numeral wheels to ratchet them forward a step at -a time. The power for supplying such ratcheting action, in the delivery -of a carry, was produced in a spring attached to the carrying-lever to -actuate it. - -[Sidenote: _Cam and lever carrying mechanism_] - -The means used to produce the power in the carrying-lever actuating -springs, or best termed carrying springs, was through the turning of an -envolute cam attached to the lower order numeral wheels, which, acting -upon an arm of the carrying levers, forced them away from the wheels, -and thus tensioned the carrying springs. The cam and lever is best -shown in Fig. 7, page 130. - -The timing of the delivery of the carry, as the numeral wheel passed -from nine to zero, was brought about by the high point of the cam -passing from under the arm of the carrying lever, which, when released, -allowed the carrying springs to act and ratchet the higher wheel -forward a tenth of a revolution. - -This form of carrying action had a peculiarity of reaching a certain -set tension when three wheels were employed, so that for all the wheels -employed in greater numbers no higher tension was required and no lower -tension could be attained. Another feature about this type of transfer -device was the fact that to get the set tension as low as possible -required that at least eight-tenths of the rotation of the lower wheel -should be utilized in camming back the carrying lever or storing the -power for the carry. A decrease in this timing meant an increase in the -resistance offered in turning the lower wheel by the steeper incline -of the cam, and when the wheel in turn received a carry, the increase -of resistance increased the work of carrying, and so on by a geometric -ratio. - -[Sidenote: _One-point carrying cam impossible_] - -In a recent patent suit, a physical test was made as high as three -orders with a one-point cam; that is, a cam operating to store power -during a one-tenth rotation of the lower wheel (not an uncommon -combination as shown in patents that have been issued), and it was -found that by the time the third carrying was reached the springs -were so large and powerful that to turn the next wheel would require -a railway-coach spring, and that under the same ratio a fifty-four ton -hydraulic press would be required to depress the keys in the eighth -order. - -The foregoing illustration of the idiosyncrasies of mechanical -construction offer a good example of why perpetual motion is not -possible, viz., that no mechanism was ever made that would not consume -a certain per cent of the power delivered to it, through friction -and inertia. Of course, expert knowledge of the physical laws of -mechanics allow of the application of force along the lines of least -resistance, and it is with this feature that the new improvements in -the Comptometer have to do. - -[Sidenote: _Felt’s improved method of carrying_] - -It would seem that the old carrying means could not be improved upon -under the circumstances, but Felt conceived a means which gave more -time for the storage of power for the carry and all kinds of time for -its delivery, which decreased the power required for carrying by a -very large per cent. The means he devised was a motor-type of carrying -mechanism that could receive and deliver power at the same time without -interference. Thus the full revolution of the lower wheel could be -utilized in storage and the same amount of time could be consumed in -delivery if necessary, but it was never required. - -This tremendous reduction in power required to turn the higher wheel -in a carrying operation so decreased the resistance of turning the -numeral wheels that the former means used to control the wheels -during actuation was unsafe; that is, the old method of jabbing the -stop detent between the pins of the numeral wheel to stop it was not -dependable with the increased speed that the numeral wheels revolved, -under the reduced resistance. - -Again, the feature of time was at issue. The wheels could be whirled -at tremendous speed or at a very slow speed. A sudden jab at a key -with the finger sent the numeral wheels kiting ahead of the rest of -the mechanism so that the detent could not be depended upon to enter -between the right pins, which would result in erroneous calculation. - -In the new machine, we find that to overcome this unevenness of action, -Felt reversed the ratchet action of the denomination actuators, so -that no wheel action occurred on their down-stroke under the action -of the keys, but on the upstroke of the actuators the numeral wheels -were turned by the power of the actuator springs stored by the key -depression, thus giving an even set rotating action that could not be -forced and that could be controlled by a stop detent. - -As the timing of this stop-action was coincident with the stopping of -the actuators on their upstroke, the actuator was used to perform this -function in combination with a detent device that could be released -from the wheel independent of the actuators to allow a carry to be -delivered. - -[Sidenote: _Gauging and controlling prime actuation_] - -A feature worthy of note connected with this change is displayed in -the method in which Felt overcame the timing of the stop action of the -actuators in the downward action they received from the keys, which -would have been as hard to control as it was to control the wheels -under direct key action. - -[Sidenote: _Alternating stop scheme_] - -The scheme he devised gave more than double the time to perform the -function of intercepting the lightning action with which the actuators -moved under a quick key-stroke. The scheme shows a dual alternating -stop-action constructed by the use of two stops acting at different -levels and co-acting alternately with five equi-spaced stop-shoulders -on the front end of the actuators, which were also arranged in -different levels. - -The two stops were actuated by the keys in a similar manner to the -single stop which co-operated with the pins of the wheel in the old -“Comptometer,” except that the odd keys operated one stop while the -even keys operated the other. - -Thus in the new “Comptometer” the (1) key acted to throw the higher -level stop into the path of the lowest stop-shoulder on the actuator, -and the (2) key acted to throw the lower level stop into the path of -the same stop-shoulder on the actuator. In the same manner the (3) -and (4) keys caused the odd and even stops to engage the next higher -stop-shoulder on the actuator and so on with the rest of the keys. - -As the spacing was doubled by the use of but five stop-shoulders, the -stops were allowed double the time for entry between the stop-shoulders -plus the space that the pin occupied as compared with former method, -which was considerably more than double the time allowed for the same -function in the old machine. - -Besides the redistribution of mechanical functions, another very -noteworthy feature is found in these patents which, in the specific -means disclosed, constituted another distribution of time for -mechanical action. This in the capacity of the machine was what has -become commercially known as the “Duplex” feature. - -In the old “Comptometer” it was necessary to operate the keys -alternately, as a carry from one order to a higher order might be -taking place and thus be lost in the action of the higher order wheel -while rotating under key-action. - -[Sidenote: _Multiplex key action_] - -In the machine of the later patents the carry was delayed while the -higher-order wheel was under key-action. The construction shown -consisted of a latch operated by the actuators, which, when the -actuator was depressed, latched up the delivery end of the motor -carrying-device so that a carry due to take place at that time would -be intercepted until the actuator returned to normal again, at which -time the carrying motor device was again free to deliver the carry. -This feature allowed the striking of keys in several or all the orders -simultaneously, alternately, or any way the operator pleased, which was -a great improvement in speedy operativeness. - -[Sidenote: _Control of the carry by the next higher actuator_] - -While the genus of this elastic keyboard invention consisted of control -of the carry by the next higher actuator, the specie of the generic -feature shown was the delayed control. The first production of this -generic feature of control of the carry by the next higher actuator -that gave the elastic keyboard-action is shown in the two Felt patents. - -It may be argued that this new keyboard feature was simultaneity of -key-action and that simultaneity of keyboard-action was old. True -it was old, but the flexible simultaneity was new and depended upon -individuality of ordinal control for its creation, and Felt created the -ordinal control that gave the flexible keyboard. - -Simultaneity of key-action was old in key-driven cash registers; such -invention as had been disclosed in this line, however, would defeat -the usefulness of simultaneity in a key-driven calculator. The useful -feature of depressing keys in several orders at once in a key-driven -calculating machine lay only in the increased speed of manipulation -that it could offer. - -[Sidenote: _Forced simultaneous key-action old_] - -Now such simultaneous key-action as had been invented and used on -cash registers was not designed with the thought of increasing the -speed of manipulation in such machines. The simultaneity of the cash -register was designed to compel the operator to depress the keys, -which represented the amount of the purchase, exactly simultaneous; -otherwise, by manipulation the proper registration could be made to -show on the sight-register and a short amount on the total-register. -It was a device to keep the clerk or salesman straight and prevent -dishonesty. - -[Sidenote: _Forced simultaneity applied to a calculator impossible_] - -If you have ever watched an expert operator using a “Comptometer,” -try to imagine that operator hesitating to select a group of keys and -depressing them exactly simultaneously as one is compelled to do on one -of the key-driven cash registers. And then, on the other hand, if you -have ever seen a key-driven cash register operated, try to imagine its -being operated at the lightning speed at which the “Comptometer” is -operated.[4] - -[4] In making this comparison, the reader should be careful not to -confuse the later key-set crank-driven type like that of Pottin -described in the preceding chapter. It was the old key-driven type of -cash register which contained the forced simultaneity of key-action. - -It must be understood that the exact or forced simultaneity of the cash -register scheme, if applied to a calculating machine, would lock the -whole keyboard if one of any of a group of keys the operator wished to -strike was depressed ahead of the others, and would thus prevent the -rest of the group from being depressed until the return of the first -key. - -[Sidenote: _Flexible simultaneity of key-action a Felt invention_] - -It is within reason that a locking action of that character would -even defeat the speed of key-action that was possible on the old -“Comptometer,” since an operator could overlap the key strokes in -that machine to a certain extent; whereas the forced simultaneity of -the cash register, if applied to the “Comptometer,” would prevent any -overlapping or the depression of a second key until the first depressed -key returned. - -The only simultaneity of key-action that could provide a means of -speeding up the old “Comptometer,” or any machine of its type, was a -means that would leave key-depression free as to matter of time; one -that would be perfectly flexible in group manipulation, offering a -complete fluidity of motion such as not to hinder the fingering of the -operator. - -The purpose of the mechanical means employed to give simultaneity in -the cash register was to lock all the keys depressed together and lock -all others against depression until the former returned. The purpose -of mechanical means employed in the Felt patent was to give perfect -freedom of key-action, whereas formerly the key manipulation of the -old “Comptometer” was restricted in the freedom of key-action, to the -extent of being limited to seriatum action. - -The above discussion has been somewhat elaborately detailed to offset -statements that simultaneity was old in the key-driven Art. There is -no question as to the cash register type of inflexible simultaneity of -action being old before Felt patented his flexible type of simultaneity -of key-action for a key-driven calculating machine; but any statement -intended to convey the idea that Felt’s contribution of the flexible -simultaneity of key-action to the Art was not new, must come from -ignorance of the facts or malice aforethought. - -[Sidenote: _Duplex Comptometer_] - -This flexible keyboard “Comptometer” was given the trade name of -“Duplex Comptometer;” the term “Duplex” meaning that two keys could be -depressed, as distinguished from the seriatum one at a time key-action -formerly required. The term, however, fell short of setting forth the -capacity of such action, as it was, in fact, not restricted to mere -duplex-action--it was really a multiplex key-action having no limit -except the lack of fingers on the part of the operator to depress the -keys. - -The validity of these patents has been sustained in litigation. The -technical scope of the mere claims has been disputed, as patent claims -sometimes are; but the broad newness and importance of the practical -calculative capacity achieved is beyond dispute. The recent machine -called the “Burroughs Calculator” has multiplex key-action, but it did -nothing to advance the practical capacity of key-driven calculating -machines. - -[Sidenote: _Introduction of full-stroke mechanism_] - -The operation of key-driven machines has always been attended more or -less with a feeling that a key-stroke may not have been completed, -especially by a novice in operating. Recognition of the possibility of -errors occurring through incomplete key-strokes in key-driven adding -mechanism was first disclosed as early as 1872 in the Robjohn patent -(see page 36), in which a full-stroke device is shown co-acting with -the keys. - -In the drawings it will be noted that for each key there is provided a -ratchet device co-operating with the key to compel a full-stroke. This -scheme, like other similar later attempts, was aimed at the prevention -of an error in the operation of adding mechanism, but as a means of -prevention of an error it was lacking, because unless the operator -noticed that the key had not returned the next key depressed would, -through the action of the rotor, pull the partly depressed key way -down until it was released, when it would rise again, possibly without -the knowledge of the operator. There still remained the fact that the -occurrence of the error was not made known to the operator until it was -too late to correct it. - -[Sidenote: _Error signal keyboard_] - -That Felt was interested in the solution of the problem for detection -and correction of the errors in key-strokes is shown in the several -patents issued to him on features pertaining to this subject. After -numerous experiments Felt came to the conclusion that it was futile -to lock a key in event of a partial stroke and that the solution lay -in the locking of the keys in the other orders from that in which -the error had been made, thus signaling the operator and compelling -correction before further manipulation could be accomplished. - -Again we find, as with the simultaneity of key-action, that a question -may be raised as to the novelty of invention by those who wish to say -that there are full-stroke mechanisms in the key-driven cash register -Art that lock the rest of the keyboard. But the key-locks disclosed -in the cash register were directed to a continuity of stroke engroup, -as distinguished from the individualism necessary to the key-driven -calculator. - -The mechanical means employed, of course, varied greatly from that -which would be of any value in the calculating machine Art, and the -theoretical scheme was aimed at a widely different result. Flexibility -was necessary. - -[Sidenote: _Locking of the other orders by a short key-stroke_] - -The feature sought by Felt for his calculator was a signal to the -operator that an error had been made--if an error should occur--and -to block the operation of any of the other orders until the error was -corrected. This he accomplished by causing all the other orders to be -locked against manipulation, through the occurrence of an error in a -key-stroke; thus preventing manipulation of another order until the -error was corrected. - -[Sidenote: _Inactive keys locked during proper key-action in cash -register_] - -Now it may be said that the locking of other orders was old in the -cash register; but let us analyze the scheme and action of both. The -depression of a key of the key-driven cash register immediately locked -all other keys not depressed, and retained such locking-action during -depression and until the complete return of such key-depression; thus -the keyboard was locked, error or no error. - -[Sidenote: _Inactive keys not locked during proper key-action in -“Comptometer”_] - -A correct depression of a key in Felt’s new invention, as applied to -key-driven calculators, does not lock the rest of the keys. In fact, no -key of Felt’s invention is locked until an error occurs. - -The lock of the key-driven cash register is a lock that takes effect -without an error having occurred--one that is always present with -respect to the keys not depressed simultaneously, and a feature -designed to force simultaneity of group key-action to prevent, as -before explained, dishonesty. - -The lock of the key-driven calculator inventions referred to are -in no way connected with simultaneous key-action--as in the cash -register--and never act to lock the other orders except when there is -an error in a key-stroke. As the writer has explained respecting the -simultaneous feature of the cash register, the locking of the other -orders in the cash register interfered with the flexibility of the -key-action and for that reason would be impossible in a key-driven -calculator, where rapid manipulation is dependent on flexibility. - -The scheme of the new key-driven calculator inventions referred to, -were designed to allow perfect freedom of individual key-action and -to block such action only when an error in any individual key-stroke -should be made. There is nothing in common in the two schemes. The -time, purpose and mechanical means employed differ entirely. - -[Sidenote: “_Controlled-key Comptometer_”] - -This new idea of Felt’s is embodied in what is commercially known as -the “Controlled-key Duplex Comptometer.” The term “Controlled-key” was -coined to fit this broadly new combination, but a word coined to fit -the functions of a new mechanism is seldom enough to convey a complete -understanding of its true qualities. - -Aside from the broad newness of the Felt “Controlled-key” feature -referred to, even the mechanical means for safeguarding the individual -key-action was new in its application as a full-stroke device. The -means employed operated directly on the accumulator mechanism, locking -it against registration until the error was corrected, which differed -greatly from the devices applied to the keys or actuators designed by -others to bring about a similar result. But the locking of all the -other orders of mechanism, through any key-action short of a full -stroke, as a signal or error, has no mechanical equivalent or simile in -the Art. - - - - -The Improved Recorder - - -[Sidenote: _The mass of recorder inventions patented_] - -Since the general installation of the recording-adder by the banks, -the minds of “get-rich-quick” inventors have been turned toward this -type of machine. The result has been that a vast number of patents -on such machines were issued, a large proportion of which represent -worthless and impossible mechanism purported by their inventors to -contain improvements on the Art. Some of these patents on alleged -improvements describe and purport to contain features, that, if really -made operative in an operative machine, would be useful to the public. -But as inventions, they merely illustrate the conceptions of a new -and useful feature that can never be of use to anyone until put into -concrete operative form. - -To describe these features would be useless, as they have not advanced -the Art; they merely act to retard its advancement through the patent -rights that are granted on the hatched-up inoperative devices or -mechanism purported to hold such features. - -[Sidenote: _But few of the recorder patents of value_] - -Of the vast number of patents issued, but few of the machines -represented therein have ever reached the market, and of these -machines, except those previously mentioned, there is little that -may be said respecting new elementary features that may be called an -advancement of the Art. It is to be expected, of course, that the -manufacturer of such machines will not hold the same opinion as the -writer on this subject. But the fact that the generic principles of -recording the items and totals were worked out before they even thought -of constructing such a machine leaves little chance for anything -but specific features of construction for them to make that may be -considered new. - -[Sidenote: _Reserve invention as good insurance_] - -Another feature to be considered in this line is that while these new -manufacturers were working out the “kinks” or fine adjustments, which -can only be determined after a considerable number of machines have -been put into service, the older manufacturers were working or had -worked out and held in reserve new improvements that were not obvious -to those new at the game. - -It is quite common for manufacturers to have a reserved stock of -improved features to draw from. In fact, such a stock is sometimes -the best insurance they have against being run out of business by a -competitor who places a machine on the market to undersell them. Of -course, all manufacturers believe they purvey the best and advise the -public relative to this point in their advertisements. - -[Sidenote: _Erroneous advertising_] - -One manufacturer of a recording-adder, a much later invention than -either the Felt or Burroughs recorder, circulated some advertising -pamphlets once which contained a statement that their machine was the -first visible recorder. A reproduction of this pamphlet is shown on the -opposite page. The reader will at once recognize the error in such a -statement, as the first Felt recorder was a visible printer. - -The statement seems extremely peculiar after paying tribute to Felt -as the pioneer in the Art of adding machines. One would suppose that -having knowledge enough of the Art to offer such tribute would have -left them better advised on the subject of visible recording. - -[Illustration: Two Pages from Booklet Issued by Wales Adding Machine -Co.] - -[Sidenote: _Error key_] - -The first of the later improvements in the key-set crank-operated -recorder were made by Burroughs and consisted of the features which -formed a part of Burroughs patent No. 504,963 of 1893. One of these -features consisted of means provided in the shape of a special key -that when depressed would clear the key-setting, thus allowing of an -erroneous key-setting to be corrected by clearing and resetting the -correct item. - -[Sidenote: _Sub-total_] - -Another feature was provision for printing a total at any time without -clearing the machine, thus allowing printing of what may be called a -sub-total, while the grand total is carried on to be printed later. - -[Sidenote: _Repeat key_] - -The third feature consisted of means for repeated addition and -recording of the same item. The means provided consisted of a key, -which, if depressed after setting an item on the keys, would prevent -the keys from being cleared; thus by repeated operation of the -hand-crank the item set up would be printed and added repeatedly. - -[Sidenote: _Locked keyboard_] - -The next feature was one of construction, as it was designed to -overcome the possibility of the setting of two keys in the same order, -by locking all the other keys in that order. The invention was shown -applied to the Burroughs machine, but was applied for by Wm. H. Pike -Jr., and was issued January 13, 1898. - -[Sidenote: _Quick paper return_] - -In 1900 Felt perfected a quick paper return for his wide paper-carriage -and applied for a patent, which was issued March 11, 1902, the number -of which is 694,955. The feature was, that by operating a lever, it -served to return the paper after recording a column of items and -automatically shifted the carriage ready for the recording of another -column of items, thus facilitating speedy operation. - -[Sidenote: _Paper stop_] - -In March, 1902, a patent was allowed Felt on means to lock the -mechanism in a recorder when the paper was about to run out of the -rolls; a feature which, in tabulating, served as a check against the -paper running out of the rolls and prevented further operation until -the paper was shifted to commence a new column of items, thus insuring -the printing of each record on the paper which formerly depended upon -the vigilance of the operator. - -[Sidenote: _Cross tabulating_] - -The next feature in the recording machine Art which shows a new -operative feature, that may be considered an improvement, is -cross tabulating. It consisted of means for horizontal tabulating or -recording across a sheet of paper as well as in vertical columns. While -this feature was for special use, it served to broaden the usefulness -of the recorder in bringing together classified balances by dates with -cross-added totals, and many other similar uses. This feature was the -invention of D. E. Felt, who applied for a patent April 29, 1901, which -was issued October 21, 1902; the patent number is 711,407. - -[Sidenote: _Item stop_] - -Another special feature serving to broaden the usefulness of the -recording-adder was invented by Felt, and may be found in patent No. -780,272, applied for March 30, 1901, and issued January 17, 1905. This -feature was a device which controlled the printing of a predetermined -number of items which could be set by the operator, and which, when the -predetermined number had been printed, would lock the mechanism against -further action until the paper was shifted to print a new column. - -[Sidenote: _Motor drive_] - -Prior to May 9, 1901, there is no record of any recording-adder having -been operated by electric motor drive. But on that date Frank C. Rinche -applied for a patent showing such a combination with the recorder, -which became commercially known as the Universal Accountant. The -patent, No. 726,803, was issued April 28, 1903, and is the first of a -series issued to Rinche on various combinations of mechanical driving -connections. - -[Sidenote: _Distinguishing marks for clear, totals and sub-totals_] - -A feature common to recording of added columns of numerical items is -the distinguishing characters for clear, sub-totals and totals by the -use of letters, stars and other marks. The first patent on anything -of this nature that has come into general use was applied for June 9, -1903, by A. Macauley, and was issued June 12, 1906. This patent is No. -823,474, and shown connected with the Burroughs recorder to register -with a star when the first item is printed if the machine is clear and -when a total is printing. Provision was also made for printing an S -when a sub-total was printed. - -[Sidenote: _Adding cut-out_] - -The use of recording-adders is often applied when it is desired to -record dates along with tabulating added columns of recorded items. -Of course there is no use of adding the dates together, and again -if they were allowed to be added to the totals an erroneous total -of the columns added may result under certain conditions. Means for -automatically cutting out additions at certain positions of the paper -carriage in cross-line tabulating was devised by H. C. Peters, and a -patent showing such combination operative on the Burroughs recorder was -applied for by him May 12, 1904. The patent, No. 1,028,133, was issued -June 4, 1912. - -[Sidenote: _Self-correcting keyboard_] - -With the introduction of the key-set crank-operated feature on the Felt -Comptometer, the key action, like in the Burroughs recorder, became a -feature to be considered; but unlike the organism of the Burroughs, -the Felt construction allowed of the use of a self-correcting keyboard -without the possibility of error occurring from its use. This feature -is shown in a patent issued to Felt & Wetmore applied for December -27, 1904, and issued May 14, 1907. The patent number is 853,543, -and provides a means of correcting errors made in setting the keys -by merely depressing the proper key or keys, which will release any -previously set in the respective orders. - -[Sidenote: _Split keyboard_] - -In some classes of recording it is desirable to print more than one -column of items without shifting the paper carriage laterally. A means -providing for such an emergency is shown in patent No. 825,205, issued -to C. W. Gooch July 3, 1906. The patent was applied for December 2, -1905, and shows a means applicable to any order that may intercept the -printing of the ciphers in that order, and thereby the ciphers in all -other orders to the right from any key depression to the left of such -order. This made what has been generally known as the split keyboard, -but differs from that now in general use in that it was set to certain -orders and not selective at the will of the operator. - -[Sidenote: _Dual action keyboard_] - -With the coming of the motor-operated recording-adders, the extra time -allowed the operator, through being relieved of having to work the -crank back and forth, left a lapse of time until the motor finished -its cranking of the machine. In other words, there could be no gain in -the speed of operation because it took as much time for the motor to -operate the machine as it did by human power. In a patent granted to -McFarland, No. 895,664, applied for October 19, 1905, is shown a means -for utilizing the lapse of time which the operator was formerly obliged -to lose while waiting for the motor to finish its operation of cranking -the machine. It is shown in combination with the keyboard of the Pike -recorder and consists of a change that allows the keys for the next -item to be set while the motor is cranking the machine to print and add -the item previously set, thus utilizing the time formerly lost. - -[Sidenote: _Non-add signal_] - -In adding and recording columns of figures, it quite often happens that -it is desirable to print a number without adding it into the total, -which may be accomplished in general by depressing the non-add key or -knob, or what may be supplied for that purpose. These numbers, however, -were not provided with any means by which they could be distinguished -from those added into the total until Jesse G. Vincent conceived -the idea of printing a distinguishing mark beside them to designate -that they were mere numbers not added to the total. The means for -accomplishing this feature is shown in patent No. 1,043,883, applied -for September 24, 1906, and issued November 12, 1912. - -[Sidenote: _Selective split keyboard_] - -A new improvement in the split keyboard formerly devised by C. W. Gooch -is shown in a patent issued to Wetmore & Niemann applied to the Felt -“Comptograph.” This improvement consists of a selective device for -splitting the keyboard into four different combinations selective to -any combination. The patent was applied for April 24, 1907, and issued -February 2, 1915; the number is 1,127,332. - -[Sidenote: _Selective printing cut-out_] - -In some classes of recording it is desirable at times to cut out the -printing of some of the orders and in others the whole of the printing -mechanism. Mr. Fred A. Niemann patented a means for such a contingency. -The patent was applied for April 24, 1907, but was not issued until -March 9, 1920. The feature was shown applied to the Felt Comptograph -for tabulating or printing vertically a series of added and footed -columns of figures. - -[Sidenote: _Grand totalizer_] - -It is sometimes desirable to print the sum of all the totals of the -footed columns or what may be called a grand total. William E. Swalm, -in patent No. 885,202, applied for October 24, 1907, and issued April -21, 1908, shows how this feature may be accomplished on the Burroughs -recorder. It consisted of an extra series of accumulator wheels -that could be meshed with the regular accumulator wheels, and thus -receive actuation resulting in accumulation, the same as the regular -wheels. When, however, the regular wheels are zeroized in printing the -individual totals, the extra accumulator wheels are left out of mesh. -Thus the grand totals are accumulated. The printing of the grand total -is accomplished by the meshing of the grand total wheels with the -regular and the usual operation of taking a regular total. The regular -wheels, however, must be cleared first. - -[Sidenote: _Alternate cross printing_] - -The shuttle carriage, a means devised to print two columns of figures -by printing a number in one column and a sum in the other by alternate -action, was the conception of Clyde E. Gardner, and is shown applied to -the carriage of the Pike recorder in patent No. 1,052,811 of February -11, 1913. The patent was applied for September 24, 1908, and consists -of means for automatically shifting the carriage back and forth. - -[Sidenote: _Determinate item signal_] - -Another means than that invented by Felt to signal the operator when a -predetermined number of items have been recorded, consists of a bell, -which rings to notify the operator to that effect. This signal was -the invention of J. G. Vincent, and is shown in patent No. 968,005 of -August 23, 1910, and was applied for December 3, 1909, as an attachment -to the carriage of the Burroughs machine. - -[Sidenote: _Subtraction by reverse action_] - -Although subtraction has always been accomplished on this type of -machine as a means of correcting an error, it was always accomplished -on the Burroughs recorder by the use of what is generally known as -the complimental method, which, without special provision, is rather -objectionable. On the 22d of April, 1910, Wm. E. Swalm applied for a -patent which was issued June 4, which shows means connected with the -Burroughs machine that allowed subtraction to be made by the direct -method by setting the keys the same as for addition. The patent number -is 1,028,149. - -[Sidenote: _Selective split for keyboard_] - -A further improvement on the split keyboard feature is shown in a -patent issued to Fred A. Niemann in which is shown an individually -selective cipher cut-out that splits the keyboard into any combination -at the will of the operator. The said patent is No. 1,309,692, -applied for October 7, 1912, and issued July 15, 1919, and shows the -improvement in combination with the Felt “Comptograph.” - -[Sidenote: _Rapid paper insert and ejector_] - -In some classes of listing or tabulating it is an advantage to enter -the paper and eject it with a rapidity that will facilitate the -handling of a large number of sheets, such for instance as the usual -bank statements. In patent No. 1,208,375 F. C. Rinche shows how he -accomplished this feature on the Burroughs recorder. The patent was -applied for July 21, 1913, and issued December 12, 1916. - -Of the named improvements, of course, all are designed to fit the -requirements of the machines they are shown as a part of in the -drawings of the patent. They are also claimed as adaptable to other -machines of the type, but some are so specific to the machine they -form an improvement on that they are not adaptable to other makes. -Again some give results on the machine they form a part of that was -accomplished in a different way in another make. - -Most of the improvements named, however, are of such a nature that the -broad feature disclosed is adaptable to all makes if mechanism should -be specially designed to suit such machines that will function to give -the result. - -[Illustration] - - - - -The Bookkeeping and Billing Machine - - -An outgrowth of the recording-machine Art is represented in a new type -of recording machine especially adapted to bookkeeping and the making -out of invoices or reports where typewriting combined with arithmetical -recording is necessary. This class of work demands a combination of the -typewriter with adding and multiplying mechanism, having a capacity for -printing the totals of either addition or multiplication. - -[Sidenote: _Early Combinations_] - -Several attempts have been made to combine the typewriter and -adding-recorder; and there have been combinations of multiplying and -recording. Another combination that has been used to some extent for -bookkeeping and billing is an adding attachment for typewriters, but -all these combinations were lacking in one feature or another of what -may be called a real bookkeeping machine and billing machine. - -The combination of the typewriter and multiple-order keyboard -recording-adders was too cumbersome, and the means employed for -multiplication on such machines required too many manipulative motions -from the operator. In simple cases of multiplication as high as fifty -manipulative motions would be required to perform an example on such a -machine. - -[Illustration: “Moon-Hopkins” Billing and Bookkeeping Machine] - -The combination of multiplying mechanism, either direct or by repeated -stroke, with the multiple keyboard has been made, but without the -typewriting feature they do not serve as a real bookkeeping and billing -machine. - -The combination of the typewriter and the adding attachment lacks -automatic means to print totals. The operator must read the totals and -print them with the typewriter. Multiplication on such a combination -is, of course, out of the question. - -[Sidenote: _First Practical Combination_] - -The culmination of the quest for a practical bookkeeping machine is -a peculiar one, as it was dependent upon the ten-key recorder, which -has never become as popular as the multiple-order keyboard on account -of its limited capacity. The simplicity of its keyboard, however, -lent to its combination with the typewriter, and the application of -direct multiplication removed a large per cent of the limitation -which formerly stood as an objection to this class of machine when -multiplication becomes necessary. - -For the combination, which finally produced the desired result, we -must thank Mr. Hubert Hopkins, who is not only the patentee of such -a combination, but also the inventor of the first practical ten-key -recording-adder which has become commercially known as the “Dalton” -machine. - -[Sidenote: _Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine_] - -His bookkeeping machine is commercially known as the “Moon-Hopkins -Billing Machine.” See illustration on opposite page. - -The term “Bookkeeping Machine” has been misused by applying it to -machines which only perform some of the functions of bookkeeping. - - The principle of “Napier’s Bones” may be easily - explained by imagining ten rectangular slips of - cardboard, each divided into nine squares. In the - top squares of the slips the ten digits are written, - and each slip contains in its nine squares the first - nine multiples of the digit which appears in the top - square. With the exception of the top square, every - square is divided into parts by a diagonal, the units - being written on one side and the tens on the other, - so that when a multiple consists of two figures they - are separated by the diagonal. Fig. 1 shows the slips - corresponding to the numbers 2, 0, 8, 5, placed side - by side in contact with one another, and next to them - is placed another slip containing, in squares without - diagonals, the first nine digits. The slips thus - placed in contact give the multiples of the number - 2085, the digits in each parallelogram being added - together; for example, corresponding to the number - 6 on the right-hand slip we have 0, 8 + 3, 0 + 4, - 2, 1, whence we find 0, 1, 5, 2, 1 as the digits, - written backwards, of 6 x 2085. The use of the slips - for the purpose of multiplication is now evident, - thus, to multiply 2085 by 736 we take out in this - manner the multiples corresponding to 6, 3, 7 and - set down the digits as they are obtained, from right - to left, shifting them back one place and adding up - the columns as in ordinary multiplication, viz., the - figures as written down are - - 12510 - 6255 - 14595 - -------- - 1534560 - -[Illustration: FIG. 1.] - -[Illustration: FIG. 2. Napier’s Bones - -From Napier Tercentenary Celebration Handbook] - - Napier’s rods or bones consist of ten oblong pieces - of wood or other material with square ends. Each of - the four faces of each rod contains multiples of one - of the nine digits, and is similar to one of the - slips just described, the first rod containing the - multiples of 0, 1, 9, 8, the second of 0, 2, 9, 7, - the third of 0, 3, 9, 6, the fourth of 0, 4, 9, 5, - the fifth of 1, 2, 8, 7, the sixth of 1, 3, 8, 6, - the seventh of 1, 4, 8, 5, the eighth of 2, 3, 7, - 6, the ninth of 2, 4, 7, 5, and the tenth of 3, 4, - 6, 5. Each rod, therefore, contains on two of its - faces multiples of digits which are complementary to - those on the other two faces; and the multiples of a - digit and its complement are reversed in position. - The arrangements of the numbers on the rods will - be evident from fig. 2, which represents the four - faces of the fifth bar. The set of ten rods is thus - equivalent to four sets of slips as described above. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 130,404] - -It is unnecessary to go into the history of the Hopkins Bookkeeping -Machine to show the evolution of the Art relative to this class of -machines, as the features that have made such a machine practical were -developed by Hopkins himself, and at the present date there is none to -dispute the title since his is the only machine having the required -combination referred to. The scheme used by Hopkins for multiplication -in his billing machine is, as stated, direct multiplication or that -of adding the multiples of digits directly to the accumulator numeral -wheels instead of pumping it into the accumulator wheels by repeated -addition of the digits as is more commonly used. - -[Illustration: John Napier] - -The direct method of multiplying is old, as a matter of fact, the first -mechanical means employed for multiplying worked by the direct method. -But its combination with recording and typewriter mechanism invented by -Hopkins was new. - -[Sidenote: _Napier’s bones first direct multiplier_] - -Napier, in 1620, laid the foundation of the mechanical method of direct -multiplication when he invented his multiplying bones. The scheme of -overlapping the ordinal places is shown in the diagonal lines used to -separate units from the tens in each multiple of the nine digits (see -illustration, page 179), thus providing a convenient means by which the -ordinal values may be added together. - -[Sidenote: _First direct multiplying machine_] - -The first attempt to set Napier’s scheme to mechanism that would add -and register the overlapping ordinal values was patented by E. D. -Barbour in 1872. See reproduction of patent drawings on opposite page. - - -THE BARBOUR MULTIPLIER - -The accumulator mechanism of the Barbour machine, including the numeral -wheels and their devices for transferring the tens, is mounted in a -sliding carriage at the top of the machine (see Fig. 1), which may be -operated by the hand-knob. - -[Sidenote: Description of Barbour Multiplier] - -Extending through the bottom of the carriage are a series of pinions, -one for each ordinal numeral wheel, and connected thereto by a ratchet -and pawl action. The pinions are each so arranged as to be operative -with a gear rack beneath the carriage when the carriage is slid back -and forth. - -Thus the wheels received action from one direction of the motion of the -carriage and remain idle during the movement in the other direction. -The degree of motion so received would, of course, depend upon the -number of teeth in the racks below encountered by the pinions. - -The gear racks employed by Barbour were numerous, one being provided -for each multiple of the nine digits, arranged in groups constituting -nine sets mounted on the drums marked B (see Fig. 4). Each of these -sets contain nine mutilated gear racks, the arrangement of the teeth of -which serve as the multiples of the digit they represent. - -The teeth of the racks representing the multiples of the digits were -arranged in groups of units and tens. For instance: 4 × 6 = 24, the -rack representing the multiple of 4 × 6 would have two gear teeth in -the tens place and four gear teeth in the units place, and likewise for -the eighty other combinations. - -Adding the multiples of the digits by overlapping the orders was -accomplished by a very simple means, the arrangement of the racks being -such that as the carriage was moved from left to right the numeral -wheel pinions would move over the units rack teeth of a multiplying -rack of one order and the tens rack teeth of a multiplying rack in the -next lower order. - -By close examination the reader will note from the drawings that the -lower one of the sets of multiplying gear racks shown on the drum B, -to the left in Fig. 4, is the series of one times the nine digits, the -next set or series of racks above are the multiplying racks for the -multiples of two, the lowest rack in that series having but two teeth, -the next higher rack four teeth, the next rack six and the next eight. - -So far no multiple of two has amounted to more than a units ordinal -place, therefore these racks operate on a lower-order numeral wheel, -and are all placed to the right of the center on the drum B, but the -next rack above for adding the multiple of two times five requires that -one shall be added to a higher order, and is therefore placed on the -left side of the center of the drum. - -Thus it will be noted that by reading the number of teeth on the right -of each rack as units and those on the left as tens, that running -anti-clockwise around the drum, each series of multiplying racks show -multiples of the digits from one to four, it being obvious that the -racks for adding the multiples of the higher digits are on the opposite -side of the drums. - -From the layout of the racks it is also obvious that the starting or -normal position of the carriage would be with the numeral wheel pinions -of each order in the center of each drum, so that as the carriage is -moved to the right the units wheel will receive movement from the units -teeth of the rack on the units drum, while the tens wheel will receive -movement from the units teeth of the tens drum and the tens teeth of -the units drum, and so on with the higher wheels, as each numeral wheel -pinion except the units passes from the center of one drum to the -center of the next lower and engages such teeth as may be presented. - -Each of the drums B are independently mounted on the pivot shaft C, and -are provided with the hand-operating setting-racks I and E, co-acting -with the gears R and D, to help in bringing the proper racks into -engageable positions with the pinions of the accumulator numeral or -total wheels. - -The hand-knob G, Fig. 4, and the gears f, fast to a common shaft, -furnish a means for operating the whole series of drums when the right -multiple series of racks of each drum have been brought into position. - -As an example of the operation of the Barbour calculator, let us assume -that 7894 is to be multiplied by 348. The first drum to the right would -be moved by its setting-racks until the series of multiplying racks for -adding the multiples of four are presented, the next higher drum to the -left would be set until the series of multiplying racks for adding the -multiples of nine were presented, the next higher drum would be set -for the multiples of eight, and the next higher drum, or the fourth to -the left, would be set for the multiples of seven. Then the hand-knob -G, first turned to register zero, may be shoved to the right, engaging -the pinions f with the gears D, and by turning the knob to register -(8), the first figure in the multiplier, the racks are then set ready -to move the numeral wheels to register as follows: The drum to the -right or the units drum has presented the multiplying rack for adding -the multiple of 8 × 4, thus it will present three teeth for the tens -wheel and two teeth for the units wheel. The tens drum presenting the -rack for adding the multiple of 8 × 9 will present seven teeth for the -hundreds wheel and two for the tens wheel. The hundreds drum presenting -the rack for adding the multiple of 8 × 8 will present six teeth for -the thousands wheel and four for the hundreds wheel. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: From Drawings of Bollee Patent No. 556,720] - -The rack of the thousands drum representing the multiple of 8 × 7 will -present five teeth for the tens of thousands wheel and six for the -thousands wheel. Thus by sliding the carriage to the right one space, -the numeral wheel pinions will engage first the units teeth on one -drum, then the tens teeth on the next lower drum and cause the wheels -to register 63152. The operator, by turning the knob G to register (4), -the next figure of the multiplier, turns the drum so that a series of -multiplying racks representing multiples of 4 times each figure in the -multiplicand are presented, so that by sliding the carriage another -space to the right, the multiple of 4 × 7894 will be added to the -numeral wheels. The operator then turns the knob to register three and -moves the carriage one more space to the right, adding the multiple of -3 × 7894 to the wheels in the next higher ordinal series, resulting in -the answer of 2747112. - -There are, of course, many questionable features about the construction -shown in the machine of the Barbour patent, but as a feature of -historic interest it is worthy of consideration, like many other -attempts in the early Art. - - -THE BOLLEE MULTIPLIER - -Probably the first successful direct multiplying machine was made by -Leon Bollee, a Frenchman, who patented his invention in France in 1889. -A patent on the Bollee machine was applied for in this country and was -issued March 17, 1896, some of the drawings of which are reproduced on -the opposite page. - -[Sidenote: _Description of Bollee Machine_] - -Instead of using eighty-one multiplying gear racks for each order as -in the Barbour patent, Bollee used but two gear racks for each order; -one for adding the units and the other for adding the tens; these racks -operate vertically and are marked respectively Bb and Bc. (See Fig. 3.) - -The racks are frictionally held against gravity in the permanent -framework of the machine, and are moved up and down by contact at each -end, received from above by bar Ie, and from below by pins of varying -length set in the movable plates Ab. - -The bar Ie forms part of a reciprocating frame which moves vertically -and in which are slidably mounted the pin plates Ab. These plates are -what Bollee called his “mechanical multiplication tables.” - -The arrangement of the pins and their lengths are such as to give -degrees of additive movement to the units and tens gear racks equal to -the multiplying racks in the Barbour multiplier. - -The pin plates are moved by the hand-knobs Ab², and the plate shown in -Fig. 3 is positioned for multiples of nine. - -The means for setting the multiples correspond to the index hand-knob -of the Barbour machine, and consists of the crank Am, which, when -operated, shifts the whole series of plates laterally. A graduated dial -serves the operator to set the multiple that the multiplicand, set by -the positioning of the plates, is to be multiplied by. - -The accumulator mechanism is mounted in a reciprocating frame which -moves horizontally, causing the gears of the numeral wheels to engage -first the units racks on their upstroke under action of the pins, and -then the tens racks on their down-stroke under the action of the top -bar of the vertically moving frame, the downward motion, of course, -being regulated by the upward movement it receives from the pin that -forces it up. - -As may be noted in Fig. 1, the multiplying plates are held in a -laterally movable carriage that is shifted through the turning of the -multiplier factor setting hand crank Am, by means of the rack and -pinion action. This gearing is such that each revolution moves the -multiplying plates under a higher or lower series of orders, thus -allowing the multiples of a higher or lower order series to be added in -the process of multiplication or subtracted in division, as the case -may be. - -Although the Bollee machine is reputed to be a practical machine, as -is attested from the models on exhibit in the Museum of Des Arts and -Metiers of Paris in France, it was never manufactured and placed on the -market. - -[Sidenote: _Bollee’s principle commercialized_] - -Bollee’s principle has, however, been commercialized by a Swiss -manufacturer in a machine made and sold under the trade name of “The -Millionaire,” the U. S. patents of which were applied for and issued to -Steiger. - -Hopkins constructed his multiplying mechanism on the Bollee scheme of -using stepped controlling plates for his reciprocating racks to give -the multiples of the digits, but the ingenious method of application -shown in the Hopkins patent drawings illustrates well the American -foresight of simplicity of manufacture. - -During the past ten years there have been a large number of patents -applied for on mechanism containing the same general scheme as that -of Bollee and Steiger, but up to the present writing no machines with -direct multiplying mechanism have been commercialized except “The -Millionaire,” which is non-recording, and “Moon-Hopkins Bookkeeping -Machine.” - - - - -A Closing Word - - -As previously stated, it is impossible to describe or illustrate -the thousands of inventions that have been patented in the Art of -accounting machines, and some of the inventors may feel that the writer -has shown partiality. The subject of this book, however, has to do only -with the Art as it stands commercialized and those who are responsible -for its existence. - -In the arguments to prove validity of contributions of vital importance -to the Art, many other patented machines have been used which really -have no bearing on the Art. But the writer was obliged to show their -defects, otherwise the misconception derived from articles written by -authors incompetent to judge would leave the public in error as to the -real truth relative to the Art of the modern accounting machines. - -That all inventors deserve credit, even in the face of failure, is -without question. The hours, days, months, and sometimes years, given -up to the working out of any machine, intended to benefit mankind, -whether the result brings a return or not,--whether the invention -holds value, or no,--leaves a record that the world may benefit by, in -pointing out the errors or productive results. - -If it were not for the ambitions and untiring efforts of men of this -type, who give heart and soul to the working out of intricate problems, -the world would not be as far advanced as it is today. - -The writer has kept in close touch with the Art of calculating machines -since 1893, and made exhaustive research of it prior to that period. -There have been thousands of patents issued on machines of the class -herein set forth, but outside of the features reviewed there have been -no broadly new ones of practical importance that have as yet proved to -be of great value to the public. What is in the making, and what may -be developed later, is open to conjecture. It is a safe conjecture, -however, that in the present high state of the Art it will tax the -wits of high-class engineers to offer any substantial and broadly new -feature which will be heralded as a noticeable step in the Art. And -that, as in the past, thousands of mistakes, and impractical as well as -inoperative machines will be made and patented, to one that will hold -real value. - -[Illustration] - - - - -Index to Subjects - - - TYPES OF ANCIENT AND MODERN MACHINES Page - General knowledge lacking 5 - Key-driven machine, first of the modern machines 6 - Recording, the primary feature of adding machines that print 7 - Validity and priority of invention 8 - Description of Pascal’s invention 11 - Constructional features of the Pascal machine 12 - Increased capacity of modern calculator 13 - Patent office a repository of ineffectual efforts 14 - - THE EARLY KEY-DRIVEN ART - First attempt to use depressable keys for adding was - made in America 17 - Description of Parmelee machine 18 - Foreign digit adders 18 - Single-digit adders lack capacity 19 - Some early U. S. patents on single-digit adding machines 20 - Calculating machines in use abroad for centuries 21 - First key-driven machines no improvement to the Art 21 - Description of the Hill machine 22 - Hill machine at National Museum 25 - Inoperativeness of Hill machine 25 - High speed of key drive 26 - Camera slow compared with carry of the tens 26 - Hill machine merely adding mechanism, incomplete as - operative machine 29 - Chapin and Stark patents 29 - Description of Chapin machine 29 - Inoperativeness of Chapin machine 30 - Description of Stark machine 33 - Inoperativeness of Stark machine 37 - Nine keys common to a plurality of orders 37 - Description of Robjohn machine 38 - First control for a carried numeral wheel 41 - Description of Bouchet machine 42 - Bouchet machine marketed 43 - Misuse of the term “Calculating Machine” 43 - Description of Spalding machine 47 - Prime actuation of a carried wheel impossible in the - Spalding machine 49 - - THE KEY-DRIVEN CALCULATOR - Theory versus the concrete 50 - All but one of the generic elements solved 51 - Originality of inventions 51 - A conception which led to the final solution 52 - Evolution of an invention 55 - Trials of an inventor 55 - The first “Comptometer” 56 - Felt patent 371,496 56 - Description of Felt calculator 59 - Recapitulation of Art prior to Felt calculator 60 - Why Hill failed to produce an operative machine 61 - Idiosyncrasies of force and motion increased by use of keys 61 - Light construction a feature 62 - Operative features necessary 62 - Classification of the features contained in the early Art - of key-driven machines 63 - Carrying mechanism of Felt’s calculator 63 - Transfer devices 64 - Carrying mechanism versus mere transfer devices 64 - Details of Felt carrying mechanism 65 - Manufacture of the Felt calculator 69 - Trade name of Felt calculator 70 - Felt calculator exhibit at National Museum 70 - Significant proof of Felt’s claim of priority 75 - Rules for operation an important factor of modern calculator 76 - - EARLY EFFORTS IN THE RECORDING MACHINE ART - First attempt to record arithmetical computation 79 - Description of Barbour machine 80 - Barbour machine not practical 81 - Description of Baldwin machine 82 - Baldwin’s printing mechanism 89 - First key-set crank-operated machine and first attempt to - record the items in addition 90 - Description of Pottin machine 91 - Early efforts of Wm. S. Burroughs 95 - General scheme of Burroughs’ first inventions 96 - Brief description of machine of early Burroughs’ patents 97 - All early arithmetical printing devices impractical 101 - Practical method for recording disclosed later 102 - Inoperative features of early recording mechanism 105 - Adding mechanism attached to typewriter 105 - Description of Ludlum machine 106 - Ludlum machine inoperative 108 - - FIRST PRACTICAL RECORDERS - Burroughs a bank clerk 111 - Felt interested in recorder Art 111 - Felt’s first recording machine 113 - Felt recording mechanism combined with his calculating machine 113 - Description of Felt’s first recorder 114 - First individualized type impression combined with - printing sector 115 - First practical arithmetical recorder 116 - The first sale of a recording adding machine on record 116 - Features of first practical recorder 119 - Description of Felt’s second recorder 120 - Felt principle of printing adopted by all manufacturers - of recorders 124 - Wide paper carriage for tabulating 124 - The wide paper carriage machine 127 - Litigation on tabulator patents 127 - “Cross Tabulating” 128 - Felt recorder in “Engineering” of London, England 131 - Total recording a Felt combination 131 - Legible listing of items and automatic recording of totals - first achieved by Felt 132 - The key-set principle more practical for recorders 135 - Description of first practical Burroughs recorder 137 - Date of use of first practical Burroughs recorder 140 - - INTRODUCTION OF THE MODERN ACCOUNTING MACHINE - Opposition to the use of machines for accounting 144 - Banks more liberal in recognition 145 - Improvement slow for first few years 146 - - THE HIGH-SPEED CALCULATOR - Felt improvements on Comptometer 149 - Scientific distribution of functions 150 - Power consumed by old carrying method 151 - Cam and lever carrying mechanism 152 - One-point carrying cam impossible 153 - Felt’s improved method of carrying 153 - Gauging and controlling prime actuation 154 - Alternating stop scheme 155 - Multiplex key action 156 - Control of the carry by the next higher actuator 156 - Forced simultaneous key action old 157 - Forced simultaneity applied to a calculator impossible 157 - Flexible simultaneity of key action a Felt invention 158 - Duplex Comptometer 159 - Introduction of full-stroke mechanism 159 - Error signal keyboard 160 - Locking of the other orders by a short key-stroke 161 - Inactive keys locked during proper key-action in cash register 161 - Inactive keys not locked during proper key-action - in “Comptometer” 161 - “Controlled-key Comptometer” 162 - The mass of recorder inventions patented 163 - But few of the recorder patents of value 163 - Reserve invention as good insurance 164 - Erroneous advertising 164 - Error key 166 - Sub-total 166 - Repeat key 166 - Locked keyboard 166 - Quick paper return 166 - Paper stop 167 - Cross tabulating 167 - Item stop 167 - Motor drive 168 - Distinguishing marks for clear, totals, and sub-totals 168 - Adding cut-out 168 - Self-correcting keyboard 169 - Split keyboard 169 - Dual action keyboard 169 - Non-add signal 170 - Selective split keyboard 170 - Selective printing cut-out 171 - Grand totalizer 171 - Alternate cross printing 171 - Determinate item signal 172 - Subtraction by reverse action 172 - Selective split for keyboard 172 - Rapid paper insert and ejector 172 - - THE BOOKKEEPING AND BILLING MACHINE - Early combinations 174 - First practical combination 177 - Moon-Hopkins Billing machine 177 - Napier’s Bones first direct multiplier 181 - First direct multiplying machine 181 - Description of Barbour Multiplier 182 - Description of Bollee machine 188 - Bollee’s principle commercialized 189 - - A CLOSING WORD - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIGIN OF MODERN CALCULATING -MACHINES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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A. V. 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A. V. Turck</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Origin of modern calculating machines</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: J. A. V. Turck</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 19, 2022 [eBook #69386]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIGIN OF MODERN CALCULATING MACHINES ***</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<h1>Origin of Modern Calculating<br />Machines</h1> - -<hr class="r10" /> -<p class="f120 space-above2 space-below2">A chronicle of the evolution of the<br /> -principles that form the generic<br />make-up of the Modern<br /> -Calculating Machine</p> -<hr class="r10" /> - -<p class="f120 space-above2 space-below2"><span class="fontsize_90">BY</span><br /> -J. A. V. TURCK<br /><span class="fontsize_90">Member of The Western Society of Engineers</span></p> - -<p class="center">CHICAGO, 1921<br /><i>Published under the auspices of</i><br /> -The Western Society of Engineers</p> - -<p class="center space-above2">Copyright, 1921, by<br />J. A. V. Turck</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FRONTIS" src="images/f004.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="606" /> - <p class="f120">Stone Age Calculating</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">Foreword</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">There</span></big> is -nothing romantic in figures, and the average man takes little interest -in any subject pertaining to them. As a result of this antipathy, there -is plenty of historic evidence of man’s endeavor to minimize the hated -drudgery of calculation.</p> - -<p>While history shows that, from prehistoric man down to the present age, -human ingenuity has turned to mechanical means to overcome the brain -fatigue of arithmetical figuring, it is within quite recent years that -he has really succeeded in devising means more rapid than the human -brain.</p> - -<p>Of this modern product little has been written, except in disconnected -articles that have in no case offered a complete understanding as to -who were the great benefactors of mankind that gave to the world the -first concrete production of these modern principles of mechanical -calculation.</p> - -<p>The writer, believing that there are many who would be interested to -know the true facts relative to this subject, has given to the public, -in that which follows, a chronicle of the evolution of the principles -disclosed in these modern machines, along with the proofs that form the -foundation for the story in a way that all may understand.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">Although the subject has been handled in a way that -makes it unnecessary for the reader to be carried through a jangle of tiresome -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span> -mechanical construction, the writer believes that there are many -interested in the detail workings of these machines, and has for that -reason provided an interesting and simple description of the working -of each illustrated machine, which may be read by those who wish, or -skipped over, if the reader desires, without the danger of losing -knowledge of the relation of each of these machines to the Art.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p002.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="153" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Chapters</h2> -</div> - -<table class="fontsize_120 no-wrap" border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="TOC" cellpadding="0" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><small><small>PAGE</small></small></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Foreword</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1"> 1</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Types of Ancient and Modern Machines</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_5"> 5</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The Early Key-Driven Art</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The Key-Driven Calculator</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Early Efforts in the Recording Machine Art</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">First Practical Recorders</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Introduction of the Modern Accounting Machine </td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The High-Speed Calculator</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The Improved Recorder</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The Bookkeeping and Billing Machine</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">A Closing Word</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">Illustrations</h2> -</div> - -<table class="fontsize_120 no-wrap" border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="LOI" cellpadding="0" > - <tbody><tr> - <td class="tdl"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><small><small>PAGE</small></small></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#FRONTIS">Frontispiece</a>, “Stone Age Calculating”</td> - <td class="tdr"> </td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">One of the Pascal Machines</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#PASCAL_MACHINE1">10</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Photo of Blaise Pascal</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#PASCAL">11</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Parmelee Patent Drawings</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#PARMELEE">16</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Hill Patent Drawings</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#HILL_PATENT">23</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Chapin Patent Drawings</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPIN_PATENT1">28</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From the Stark Patent Drawings</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#STARK_PATENT1">32</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From the Robjohn Patent Drawings</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">36</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Bouchet Patent 314,561</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BOUCHET_PATENT">40</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Drawings of Spalding Patent No. 293,809</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#SPALDING_PATENT">46</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">“Macaroni Box” Model</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#MACARONI">53</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Photo of Dorr E. Felt</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#DEFELT">55</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The First “Comptometer”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#COMPTOMETER">57</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 371,496</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FELT_PATENT1">58</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Bill for First Manufacturing Tools of the Comptometer</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#COMP_BILL">68</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Early Comptometer</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#EARLY_COMP">69</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Letter from Geo. W. Martin</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#MARTIN">71</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Testimonial</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#TESTI1">72</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Testimonial</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#TESTI2">73</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Letters from Elliott and Rosecrans</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ELLIOT">74</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 133,188</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT1">78</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Baldwin Patent No. 159,244</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">83</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Baldwin Machine</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BALDWIN_MACHINE">83</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Pottin Patent No. 312,014</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">88</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Burroughs Patent No. 388,118</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BURROUGHS_PATENT1">94</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Photo of Wm. S. Burroughs</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BURROUGHS">95</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Drawings of Ludlum Patent No. 384,373</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#LUDLUM_PATENT1">104</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 405,024</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FELT_PATENT1">112</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Testimonial</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#TESTI3">117</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Felt Recording and Listing Machine</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FELT_MACHINE">118</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 465,255</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FELT_PATENT3">121</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Felt Tabulator</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FELT_TABULATOR">126</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">One of the Early “Comptographs”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#FELT_COMPTOGRAPH">130</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Photo of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#LIEBNITZ">132</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Leibnitz Calculator</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#LIEBNITZ_CALCULATOR">133</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Burroughs’ Patents Nos. 504,963 and 505,078 </td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BURR_PATENT1">136</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Burroughs’ Recorder</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BURROUGHS_RECORDER">137</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From the February 1908 Issue of Office Appliances Magazine</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#OFFICE_MAG">142</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">The High-Speed Calculator</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#HI-SPEED_CALC">148</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Two Pages from Wales Adding Machine Co. Booklet</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#WALES">165</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Moon-Hopkins Billing and Bookkeeping Machine</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#MOON_HOPKINS">176</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Napier’s Bones</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#NAPIERS_BONES">179</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 130,404</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT1">180</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">Photo of John Napier</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#NAPIER">181</a></td> - </tr><tr> - <td class="tdl">From Drawings of Bollee Patent No. 556,720</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#BOLLEE_PATENT1">186</a></td> - </tr> - </tbody> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">The Modern Accounting Machine</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">The</span></big> term -“adding machine” or “calculating machine” to most of us represents the -machine we have seen in the bank. The average person is not familiar -with the different types of accounting machines, to say nothing of -the many uses to which they are put; but he has a vague idea that to -hold any value they should produce a printed record, he doesn’t know -why and he hasn’t stopped to reason why; but those he has seen in the bank -do print, and any machine the bank uses, to his mind, must be all right.</p> - -<p>There are, of course, people who do know the different types of -accounting machines, and are familiar with their special uses, but -there are very few who are familiar with the true history of the modern -accounting machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>General knowledge lacking</i></div> - -<p>Articles written by those not familiar with the true facts relative to -the art of accounting machines have wrought confusion. Their errors -have been copied and new errors added, thus increasing the confusion. -Again, claims made in trade advertisements and booklets are misleading, -with the result that the truth is but little known.</p> - -<p>These facts, and the psychological effect of seeing a certain type of -machine in the bank would lead the average man to believe that the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> -recording-adding machine was the only practical machine; and also (as -someone stated in the December, 1915, issue of the Geographic Magazine) -that Burroughs was the inventor of the recording-adding machine.</p> - -<p>Although the history of accounting machines dates way back into -the tenth century, the modern accounting machines are of quite -recent origin, and are especially distinguished by the presence of -depressable keys. The keys in these machines act as a means of gauging -the actuation which determines the value in calculation, whether the -machine is key-driven or key-set with a crank or motor drive.</p> - -<p>These modern machines, which come within the classification of -key-driven and key-set, have their respective special uses.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Key-driven machine first of the modern machines</i></div> - -<p>The key-driven machine, which was the first produced of these two -types of modern machines, does not print, and is used for all forms of -calculation, but is generally behind the scenes in the accounting rooms -of all lines of business, and for that reason is not so well known as -the key-set crank-operated or motor-driven machine, which is designed -to print and is always in full view in the bank where it is used to -print your statement of account from the vouchers you have issued.</p> - -<p>When we stop to analyze the qualities of these two types of machines, -we find that each has its place and that neither may truly serve to -displace the other. The organization of each is designed with reference -to the special work it was intended to do.</p> - -<p>The calculating machine, having only to perform the work of revolving -the numeral wheels in calculating addition, subtraction, multiplication -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span> -and division in its many forms and combinations, may be key-driven (on -account of the slight mechanical resistance met with in action), and -thus, as a one-motion machine, requiring only the depression of the -keys, may also be much more rapid of manipulation than the two-motion -recording-adding machine which, after depressing the keys for each -item, requires the secondary operation of pulling a crank forward or -operating a push bar that connects the motor.</p> - -<p>The recording-adding machine being designed to print the items and -answers of addition, requires power for the printing which cannot be -supplied by key depression. Thus an extra means for supplying that -power must be provided in the form of a crank lever, or in the latest -machines by a motor. The keys in such machines serve only as digital -control to gauge the setting of mechanism which prints the items and -adds them together. The secondary motion operates the mechanism to -print and add and finally to clear the machine for the setting up of -the next item. The recording of added columns of figures requires that -the answer must always be printed. This demands special operation of -devices provided for that purpose, which also adds to the time spent in -the operation of such machines as compared with the key-driven calculator.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Recording, the primary feature of adding machines that -print</i></div> - -<p>To state which of these two types of machines is the more useful would -cause a shower of comment, and has nothing to do with the object of -this article. Suffice it to say that where a printed record of items -added together with their answer is required for filing purposes, or -to bring together loose items like those in your bank statement, the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span> -recording-adding machine serves; but when rapid calculation in -addition, multiplication, subtraction or division, or when combinations -of these forms of calculation are required, the key-driven calculator -is the practical machine for such work.</p> - -<p>Although the key-driven calculator is generally not so well known, it -is, as stated, the oldest of the modern accounting machines, and its -usefulness places it in the accounting room, where it is oft-times -found employed by the hundreds in figuring up the day’s work of accounting.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Validity and priority of invention</i></div> - -<p>The purpose of this book is based wholly upon showing the validity and -priority of invention which constitute true contributions to the Art of -these two types of modern accounting machines; to place the facts for -once and all time before the public in such a way that they may judge -for themselves to whom the honor is due and thus settle the controversy -that exists.</p> - -<p>The quibbling of court contests over the terminology of claims of -patents owned by the various inventors have been set aside and only -the true contributions to the Art which pertain to the fundamental -principles that have made the modern machines possible, are here dealt with.</p> - -<p>The dates of patents on inoperative or impractical machines have from -time to time been held up to the public as instances of priority of -invention; but when the validity of these patents, as furnishing any -real contributions to the Art, is questioned, they are not found to -hold the theme or principle that made the modern machines possible, -and as inventions, fade into obscurity. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="PASCAL_MACHINE1" src="images/i_p010a.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="244" /> - <p class="f120"><i>Figure 1</i></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="PASCAL_MACHINE2" src="images/i_p010b.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="381" /> - <p class="f120"><i>Figure 2</i></p> - <p class="f120 space-below2">One of the Pascal Machines</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> -The Art of either the calculating machine or the adding-recording -machine is not new; it is, as a matter of fact, very old. As before -stated, the Art of “accounting machine” dates back to the tenth -century, but the first authentic evidence of a working machine is -extant in models made by Pascal in 1642 (<a href="#PASCAL_MACHINE1">see illustration</a>).</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Pascal Machine</span></h3> - -<p>Referring to the illustration, <a href="#PASCAL_MACHINE1">Fig. 1</a>, -of Pascal’s machine on the opposite page, it will be noted that there -are a series of square openings in the top of the casing; under these -openings are drums, each numbered on its cylindrical surface.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Pascal’s invention</i></div> - -<p>As the machine illustrated was made to figure English currency, the two -right-hand wheels are numbered for pence and shillings, while the six -wheels to the left are numbered from 1 to 9 and 0 for pounds.</p> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="PASCAL" src="images/i_p011.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="240" /> - <p class="f120">Blaise Pascal</p> -</div> - -<p>The pounds register-drums, or numeral wheels, are each operated by a -train of gearing connecting them with a ten-armed turnstile wheel which -form the hub and spokes of what appears to be a series of wheels on the -top of the casing. While the spokes and hub are movable, the rims of -these wheels are stationary and are numbered from 1 to 9 and 0.</p> - -<p>The geared relation between the turnstile wheels and the numeral wheels -is such that rotating a turnstile will give like rotation to its -numeral wheel.</p> - -<p>Assuming that the numeral wheel of any one of the different orders -registered 0 through its sight opening and the turnstile of the same -order was moved one spoke of a rotation, it would move the wheel so -that the 0 would disappear and the figure 1 would appear; now if we -should move the same turnstile three more spokes the numeral wheel would -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> -move likewise three spaces and the 4 would appear.</p> - -<p>A stop in the form of a finger reaching over the spokes is provided -to stop the turnstile at the right point so that the figures on the -numeral wheels may register properly with the sight openings in the casing.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Constructional features of the Pascal machine</i></div> - -<p>The figures on the wheel rims fast to the casing are arranged -anti-clockwise to register with the space between the spokes, the 0 -registering with the first space, the 1 with the second space and so -on around the wheel. Thus by use of the finger or a stylo inserted in -a space opposite the number to be added, the operator may move the -spoked wheel or turnstile clockwise until stopped by the stop finger. -By repeated selection and operation for each figure to be added, the -wheels will be revolved through their cycles of rotation caused by the -accumulation.</p> - -<p>As the numeral wheels complete each rotation the 0 will appear, so -that a registration of the tens must be made. Pascal provided for the -accumulation of the tens by automatically turning the wheel of next -higher order one point through the action of the lower wheel.</p> - -<p>The novel means employed for this transfer of the tens consisted of -a one-step ratchet device operated by a pin in the train of gearing -connected with the lower numeral wheel, which, as the lower wheel -passed from 9 to 0, forced the lever to which the ratchet pawl was -attached in a direction to cause the gearing of the higher numeral -wheel to be ratcheted forward far enough to add one to the higher -numeral wheel. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> - -<p>The direct actuation of a numbered wheel through its various degrees of -rotation and the secondary feature of effecting a one-step movement to -the numbered wheel of higher order (which seems to have been originated -by Pascal) is the foundation on which nearly all the calculating -machines have since been constructed to calculate the combinations -of the Arabian numerals represented in Addition, Multiplication, -Subtraction and Division.</p> - -<p>In <a href="#PASCAL_MACHINE2">Fig. 2</a> of the illustration of Pascal’s -machine, the machine has been reversed, and the bottom of the casing, -which is hinged, thrown back, showing the numeral wheels and gearing -of the different orders and the transfer levers for the carry of the tens.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Increased capacity of modern calculator</i></div> - -<p>The Art of the modern machines is far removed from the older Art by -its greatly increased capacity for rapid calculation which is found -emanating from the provision of keys as the means of manipulation.</p> - -<p>To the unsophisticated, such a simple thing as applying keys to the -ancient type of calculating machines that have been made and used for -centuries, would seem but a simple mechanical application that the -ordinary mechanic could accomplish. But it was too great a problem for -the many renowned inventors of the older Art to solve.</p> - -<p>Even though the use of depressable keys was common to many machines, -especially the piano, they knew that the organized make-up of their -machines could scarcely stand, without error, the slow action received -from the crank motion or other means employed as manipulating devices. -To place it within the power of an operator to operate their machines -at such a speed as would obtain in the sudden striking of a key would -result in chaos. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Patent office a repository of ineffectual efforts</i></div> - -<p class="space-below2">There is no room for doubt that some of these -early inventors had the wish or desire to produce such a key-driven -machine and may have attempted to produce one. But as they lacked the -advantage of an institution like the Patent Office in which they could -leave a record of their inoperative inventions, and in view of the fact -that they were dependent on producing an operating machine for credit, -there is no authentic proof that they made attempts in this line. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p014.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="154" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="PARMELEE" src="images/i_p016.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="735" /> - <p class="f120">Parmelee Patent Drawings</p> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">The Early Key-Driven Art</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">M. Le Colonel D’Ocagne</span></big>, -Ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées, Professeur à l’École des Ponts et -Chaussées, Répétiteur à l’École Polytechnique, in his “Le Calcul -simplifie,” a historical review of calculating devices and machines, -refers to the key-driven machine as having first made its appearance -in the Schilt machine of 1851, but that the Art reached its truly -practical form in America. In the latter part of his statement the -professor is correct, but as to the first appearance of the key-driven -machine the U. S. Patent Office records show that a patent was issued -to D. D. Parmelee in 1850 for a key-driven adding machine -(<a href="#PARMELEE">see illustration</a>).</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Parmelee Machine</span></h3> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First attempt to use depressable keys for adding was made -in America</i></div> - -<p>By referring to the illustration of the <a href="#PARMELEE">Parmelee machine</a> -reproduced from the drawings of the patent, the reader will notice that -the patentee deviated from the established principle of using numeral -wheels. In place of numeral wheels a long ratchet-toothed bar has been -supplied, the flat faces of which are numbered progressively from the -top to the bottom.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Parmelee machine</i></div> - -<p>As shown in <a href="#PARMELEE">Fig. 2</a> of these drawings, a spring-pressed -ratchet pawl marked k, engages the teeth of the ratchet or numeral bar. The pawl k, -is pivoted to a lever-constructed device marked E, the plan of which is -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> -shown in <a href="#PARMELEE">Fig. 3</a>. This lever device is pivoted and -operated by the keys which are provided with arms d, so arranged -that when any one of the keys is depressed the arm contacts with and -operates the lever device and its pawl k to ratchet the numeral bar upwards.</p> - -<p>Another spring-pressed ratchet pawl marked m (<a href="#PARMELEE">see Fig. 2</a>) -is mounted on the bottom of the casing and serves to hold the numeral bar from -returning after a key-depression.</p> - -<p>It will be noted from <a href="#PARMELEE">Fig. 1</a> that the keys extend -through the top of the casing in progressively varying heights. This -variation is such as to allow the No. 1 key to ratchet up one tooth of -the numeral bar, the No. 2 key two teeth, etc., progressively. By this -method a limited column of digits could be added up by depressing the -keys corresponding to the digits and the answer could be read from the -lowest tooth of the numeral bar that protruded through the top of the casing.</p> - -<p>It is evident that if the Parmelee machine was ever used to add with, -the operator would have to use a pussyfoot key-stroke or the numeral -bar would over-shoot and give an erroneous answer, as no provision was -made to overcome the momentum that could be given the numeral bar in an -adding action.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Foreign digit adders</i><br /> -<br /><i>Single digit adders lack capacity</i></div> - -<p>The foreign machines of the key-driven type were made by V. Schilt, -1851; F. Arzberger, 1866; Stetner, 1882; Bagge, 1882; d’Azevedo, 1884; -Petetin, 1885; Maq Meyer, 1886. These foreign machines, like that of -Parmelee, according to M. le Colonel d’Ocagne, were limited to the -capacity of adding a single column of digits at a time. That is, either -a column of units or tens or hundreds, etc., at a time. Such machines, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span> -of course, required the adding first of all the units, and a note made -of the total; then the machine must be cleared and the tens figure of -the total, and hundreds, if there be one, must then be added or carried -over to the tens column the same as adding single columns mentally.</p> - -<p>On account of these machines having only a capacity for adding one -order or column of digits, the unit value 9 was the greatest item that -could be added at a time. Thus, if the overflow in adding the units -column or any other column amounted to more than one place, it required -a multiple of key-depressions to put it on the register. For example, -suppose the sum of adding the units columns should be 982, it would -require the depression of the 9-key ten times and then the 8-key to be -struck, to put the 98 on the machine. This order of manipulation had to -be repeated for each denominational column of figures.</p> - -<p>Another method that could be used in the manipulation of these -single-order or digit-adding machines was to set down the sum of each -order as added with its units figure arranged relative to the order it -represents the sum of, and then mentally add such sums (see example -below) the same as you would set down the sums in multiplication and -add them together.</p> - -<p>Example of method that may be used with single column adder.</p> - -<ul class="index fontsize_120"> -<li class="isub6">982</li> -<li class="isub5-5">563</li> -<li class="isub5">384</li> -<li class="isub4-5">125</li> -<li class="isub4-5">———</li> -<li class="isub4-5">170012</li> -</ul> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> -Such machines, of course, never became popular because of their limited -capacity, which required many extra movements and caused mental strain -without offering an increase in speed of calculation as compared with -expert mental calculation. There were a number of patents issued in the -United States on machines of this class which may well be named single -digit adders.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Some early U.S. patents on single-digit adding -machines</i></div> - -<p>The machines of this type which were patented in the United States, -preceding the first practical multiple order modern machine, were -patented by D. D. Parmelee, 1850; W. Robjohn, 1872; D. Carroll, 1876; -Borland & Hoffman, 1878; M. Bouchet, 1883; A. Stetner, 1883; Spalding, -1884; L. M. Swem, 1885 and 1886; P. T. Lindholm, 1886; and B. F. -Smith, 1887. All of these machines varied in construction but not in -principle. Some were really operative and others inoperative, but all -lacked what may be termed useful capacity.</p> - -<p>To those not familiar with the technical features of the key-driven -calculating machine Art, it would seem that if a machine could be made -to add one column of digits, it would require no great invention or -ingenuity to arrange such mechanisms in a plurality of orders. But the -impossibility of effecting such a combination without exercising a high -degree of invention will become evident as the reader becomes familiar -with the requirements, which are best illustrated through the errors -made by those who tried to produce such a machine.</p> - -<p>As stated, the first authentic knowledge we have of an actual machine -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span> -for adding is extant in models made by Pascal in 1642, which were all -multiple-order machines, and the same in general as that shown in the -<a href="#PASCAL_MACHINE1">illustration, page 10</a>.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Calculating machines in use abroad for centuries</i></div> - -<p>History shows that Europe and other foreign countries have been using -calculating machines for centuries. Like that of Pascal’s, they were -all multiple-order machines, and, although not key-driven, they were -capable of adding a number of columns or items of six to eight places -at once without the extra manipulation described as necessary with -single-order digit adding machines. A number of such machines were -made in the United States prior to the first practical multiple-order -key-driven calculator.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First key-driven machines no improvement to the Art</i></div> - -<p>This fact and the fact that the only operative key-driven machines -made prior to 1887 were single-digit adders are significant proof that -the backward step from such multiple-order machines to a single-order -key-driven machine was from the lack of some unknown mechanical -functions that would make a multiple-order key-driven calculator -possible. There was a reason, and a good one, that kept the inventors -of these single-order key-driven machines from turning their invention -into a multiple-order key-driven machine.</p> - -<p>It is folly to think that all these inventors never had the thought or -wish to produce such a machine. It is more reasonable to believe there -was not one of them who did not have the wish and who did not give deep -thought to the subject. There is every reason to believe that some of -them tried it, but there is no doubt that if they did it was a failure, -or there would be evidence of it in some form. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Hill Machine</span></h3> - -<p>The U. S. Patent Office records show that one ambitious inventor, -Thomas Hill, in 1857 secured a patent on a multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine (<a href="#HILL_PATENT">see illustration</a>), which -he claimed as a new and useful invention. The Hill patent, however, was -the only one of that class issued, until the first really operative -modern machine was made thirty years later, and affords a fine example -by which the features that were lacking in the make-up of a really -operative machine of this type may be brought out.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of the Hill machine</i></div> - -<p>The <a href="#HILL_PATENT">illustrations of the Hill machine</a> -on the opposite page, reproduced from the drawings of the patent, show -two numeral wheels, each having seven sets each of large and small -figures running from 1 to 9 and the cipher marked on their periphery. -The large sets of figures are arranged for addition or positive -calculation, and the small figures are arranged the reverse for -subtraction or negative calculation. The wheels are provided with means -for the carry of the tens, very similar to that found in the Pascal -machine. Each of the two wheels shown are provided with ratchet teeth -which correspond in number with the number of figures on the wheel.</p> - -<p>Spring-pressed, hook-shaped ratchet pawls marked b, are arranged to be -in constant engagement with the numeral wheels. These pawls are each -pivotally mounted in the end of the levers marked E, which are pivoted -at the front end of the casing. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="HILL_PATENT" src="images/i_p023.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="745" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Hill Patent Drawings</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> -The levers E, are held in normal or upward position by springs f, at -the front of the machine. Above each of these levers E, are a series of -keys which protrude through the casing with their lower ends resting -on the levers. There are but six keys shown in the drawing, but the -specification claims that a complete set of nine keys may be supplied -for each lever.</p> - -<p>The arrangement and spacing of the keys are such that the greater the -value of the key the nearer it is to the fulcrum or pivot of the lever -E. The length of the key stem under the head or button of each key is -gauged to allow depression of the key, the lever E and pawl b, far -enough to cause the numeral wheel to rotate as many numeral places as -the value marking on the key.</p> - -<p>A back-stop pawl for the numeral wheels, marked p, is mounted on a -cross-rod at the top of the machine. But one of these pawls are shown, -the shaft and the pawl for the higher wheel being broken away to show -the device for transferring the tens to the higher wheel.</p> - -<p>The transfer device for the carry of the tens is a lever arrangement -constructed from a tube F, mounted on the cross-rod m, with arms G and -H. Pivoted to the arm G, is a ratchet pawl i, and attached to the pawl -is a spring that serves to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet -of the higher-order numeral wheel, and at the same time, through its -attachment with the pawl, holds the lever arms G and H retracted as -shown in the drawing.</p> - -<p>As the lower-order numeral wheel passes any one of its points from 9 -to O, one of the teeth or cam lugs n, on the wheel will move the arm -H, of the transfer lever forward, causing the pawl i, to move the -higher-order wheel one step to register the accumulation of the tens. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p> - -<p>The functions of the Hill mechanism would, perhaps, be practical if it -were not for the physical law that “bodies set in motion tend to remain -in motion.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Hill machine at National Museum</i></div> - -<p>Considerable unearned publicity has been given the Hill invention on -account of the patent office model having been placed on exhibit in the -National Museum at Washington. Judging from the outward appearance of -this model, the arrangement of the keys in columns would seem to impart -the impression that here was the foundation of the modern key-driven -machine. The columnar principle used in the arrangement of the keys, -however, is the only similarity.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Inoperativeness of Hill machine</i></div> - -<p>The Hill invention, moreover, was lacking in the essential feature -necessary to the make-up of such a machine, a lack that for thirty -years held the ancient Art against the inroads of the modern Art that -finally displaced it. The feature lacking was a means for controlling -the action of the mechanism under the tremendously increased speed -produced by the use of depressable keys as an actuating means.</p> - -<p>Hill made no provision for overcoming the lightning-speed momentum that -could be given the numeral wheels in his machine through manipulation -of the keys, either from direct key-action or indirectly through the -carry of the tens. Imagine the sudden whirl his numeral wheel would -receive on a quick depression of a key and then consider that he -provided no means for stopping these wheels; it is obvious that a -correct result could not be obtained by the use of such mechanism. Some -idea of what would take place in the Hill machine under manipulation by -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span> -an operator may be conceived from the speed attained in the operation -of the keys of the up-to-date modern key-driven machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>High speed of key drive</i></div> - -<p>Operators on key-driven machines oftentimes attain a speed of 550 key -strokes a minute in multiplication. Let us presume that any one of -these strokes may be a depression of a nine key. The depression and -return, of course, represents a full stroke, but only half of the -stroke would represent the time in which the wheel acts. Thus the -numeral wheel would be turned nine of its ten points of rotation in an -eleven hundredth (¹/₁₁₀₀) of a minute. That means only one-ninth of -the time given to half of the key-stroke, or a ninety-nine hundredth -(¹/₉₉₀₀) of a minute; a one hundred and sixty-fifth (¹/₁₆₅) part of a -second for a carry to be effected.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Camera slow compared with carry of the tens</i></div> - -<p>If you have ever watched a camera-shutter work on a twenty-fifth of -a second exposure, which is the average time for a snap-shot with an -ordinary camera, it will be interesting to know that these controlling -devices of a key-driven machine must act in one-fifth the time in which -the shutter allows the daylight to pass through the lens of the camera.</p> - -<p>Think of it; a machine built with the idea of offering the possibility -of such key manipulation and supplying nothing to overcome the -tremendous momentum set up in the numeral wheels and their driving -mechanism, unless perchance Hill thought the operator of his machine -could, mentally, control the wheels against over-rotation. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="CHAPIN_PATENT1" src="images/i_p028a.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="439" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p> -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="CHAPIN_PATENT2" src="images/i_p028b.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="437" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Chapin Patent Drawings</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span> -Lack of a proper descriptive term used to refer to an object, machine, -etc., oftentimes leads to the use of an erroneous term. To call the -Hill invention an adding machine is erroneous since it would not add -correctly. It is as great an error as it would be to refer to the -Langley aeroplane as a flying machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Hill machine merely adding mechanism, incomplete as -operative machine</i></div> - -<p>When the Wright brothers added the element that was lacking in the -Langley plane, a real flying machine was produced. But without that -element the Langley plane was not a flying machine. Likewise, without -means for controlling the numeral wheels, the Hill invention was not an -adding machine. The only term that may be correctly applied to the Hill -invention is “adding mechanism,” which is broad enough to cover its -incompleteness. And yet many thousands of people who have seen the Hill -invention at the National Museum have probably carried away the idea -that the Hill invention was a perfectly good key-driven adding machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Chapin and Stark patents</i></div> - -<p>Lest we leave unmentioned two machines that might be misconstrued to -hold some of the features of the Art, attention is called to patents -issued to G. W. Chapin in 1870 (<a href="#CHAPIN_PATENT1">see illustration on opposite page</a>), -and A. Stark in 1884 (<a href="#STARK_PATENT1">see illustration on page 32</a>).</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Chapin Machine</span></h3> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Chapin machine</i></div> - -<p>Referring to the illustration reproducing the drawings of the Chapin -patent, the reader will note that in <a href="#CHAPIN_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a> -there are four wheels marked V. These wheels, although showing no numerals, -are, according to the specification, the numeral wheels of the machine.</p> - -<p>The wheels are provided with a one-step ratchet device for transferring -the tens, consisting of the spring frame and pawl shown in <a href="#CHAPIN_PATENT2">Fig. 3</a>, -which is operated by a pin in the lower wheel. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p> - -<p>In <a href="#CHAPIN_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a> the units and tens wheel are -shown meshed with their driving gears. These gears are not numbered -but are said to be fast to the shafts N and M, respectively -(<a href="#CHAPIN_PATENT2">see Fig. 2</a>).</p> - -<p>Fast on the shaft M, is a series of nine ratchet-toothed gears marked -O, and a like series of gears P, are fast to the shaft N. Co-acting -with each of these ratchet-toothed gears is a ratchet-toothed rack F, -pivoted at its lower end to a key-lever H, and pressed forward into -engagement with its ratchet gear by a spring G.</p> - -<p>The key-levers H, of which there are two sets, one set with the -finger-pieces K and the other with the finger-pieces J, are all pivoted -on the block I, and held depressed at the rear by an elastic band L. -The two sets of racks F, are each provided with a number of teeth -arranged progressively from one to nine, the rack connected with the -No. 1 key having one ratchet tooth, the No. 2 having two teeth, etc.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Inoperativeness of Chapin machine</i></div> - -<p>By this arrangement Chapin expected to add the units and tens of a -column of numerical items, and then by shifting the numeral wheels and -their transfer devices, which are mounted on a frame, designed for that -purpose, he expected to add up the hundred and thousands of the same -column of items.</p> - -<p>It is hardly conceivable that the inventor should have overlooked the -necessity of gauging the throw of the racks F, but such is the fact, as -no provision is made in the drawings, neither was mention made of such -means in the specification. Even a single tooth on his rack F, could, -under a quick key-stroke, overthrow the numeral wheels, and the same is -true of the carry transfer mechanism. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="STARK_PATENT1" src="images/i_p032a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="675" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p032b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="673" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From the Stark Patent Drawings</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> -The Chapin machine, like that of Hill, was made without thought as -to what would happen when a key was depressed with a quick stroke, -as there was no provision for control of the numeral wheels against -overthrow. As stated, the machine was designed to add two columns -of digits at a time, and with an attempt to provide means to shift -the accumulator mechanism, or the numeral wheels and carry-transfer -devices, so that columns of items having four places could be added -by such a shift. Such a machine, of course, offered less than could -be found in the Hill machine, and that was nothing at all so far as a -possible operative machine is concerned.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Stark Machine</span></h3> - -<p>The <a href="#STARK_PATENT1">reproduction of the patent drawings</a> -of the Stark machine illustrated on the opposite page show a series of -numeral wheels, each provided with three sets of figures running from 1 -to 9 and 0.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Stark machine</i></div> - -<p>Pivotally mounted upon the axis of the numeral wheels at each end -are sector gears E¹ and arms E⁴, in which are pivoted a square shaft -E, extended from one arm to the other across the face of the numeral -wheels. The shaft E, is claimed to be held in its normal position by a -spring so that a pawl, E², shiftably mounted on the shaft, designed to -ratchet or actuate the numeral wheels forward, may engage with any one -of the numeral wheel ratchets.</p> - -<p>A bail marked D, is pivoted to standards A¹, of the frame of the -machine, and is provided with the two radial racks D³ which mesh with -the sector gears E¹. It may be conceived that the act of depressing the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> -bail D, will cause the actuating pawl E², to operate whichever numeral -wheel it engages the ratchet of.</p> - -<p>The bail D, is held in its normal position by a spring D², and is -provided with nine keys or finger-pieces d, eight of which co-act with -the stepped plate G, to regulate the additive degree of rotation given -to the numeral wheels, while the ninth has a fixed relation with the -bail and the bail itself is stopped.</p> - -<p>The keys d, marked from 1 to 8, are pivoted to the bail in such a -manner that their normal relation to the bail will allow them to pass -by the steps on the stepped plate G, when the bail is depressed by -the fixed No. 9 key. When, however, any one of the keys numbered from -1 to 8 is depressed, the lower end of the shank of the key will tilt -rearward, and, as the bail is depressed, offers a stop against the -respective step of the plate G, arranged in its path, thus stopping -further action of the actuating pawl E², but offering nothing to -prevent the continuation of the force of momentum set up in the numeral -wheels by the key action.</p> - -<p>There was small use in stopping the action of the pawl E², if the -ratchet and numeral wheel, impelled by the pawl, could continue onward -under its momentum.</p> - -<p>The carry of the tens transfer device is of the same order as that -described in the Pascal and Hill machines; that is, a one-step -ratchet-motion actuated by a cam lug or pin from the lower wheel. The -carry transfer device consists of the lever F, and pawl f⁴, acting on -the ratchet of the upper wheel which is operated by the cam lugs b⁵ of -the lower wheel acting on the arms f¹ and f³ of the lever F. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="ROBJOHN_PATENT" src="images/i_p036.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="734" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From the Robjohn Patent Drawings</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Inoperativeness of Stark machine</i></div> - -<p>The machine shown in the Stark patent was provided with but one set of -keys, but the arrangement for shifting the driving ratchet pawl E², from -one order to another, so that the action of the keys may rotate any -one of the numeral wheels, gave the machine greater capacity than the -single digit adders; but as with the Chapin machine, of what use was -the increase in capacity if the machine would not add correctly. That -is about all that may be said of the Stark machine, for since there -was no means provided by which the rotation of numeral wheels could be -controlled, it was merely a device for rotating numeral wheels and was -therefore lacking in the features that would give it a right to the -title of an adding machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Nine keys common to a plurality of orders</i></div> - -<p>The nine-key scheme of the Stark invention, connectable to the -different orders, was old, and was first disclosed in the U. S. Patent -to O. L. Castle in 1857 (a machine operated by a clock-spring wound by -hand), but its use in either of these machines should not be construed -as holding anything in common with that found in some of the modern -recording adders. The Castle machine has not been illustrated because -it does not enter into the evolution of the modern machine.</p> - -<p>The ancient Art, or the Art prior to the invention of Parmelee, -consisted of mechanism which could be controlled by friction devices, -or Geneva gear-lock devices, that were suitable to the slow-acting type -of manipulative means.</p> - -<p>The first attempt at a positive control for a key-driven adding device -is found in a patent issued to W. Robjohn in 1872 (<a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">see illustration</a>). -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> -As will be noted, this machine was referred to in the foregoing -discussion as merely a single-digit adding machine, having the capacity -for adding but one column of digits at a time.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Robjohn Machine</span></h3> - -<p>Referring to the <a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">illustration of the patent drawings</a> -of the Robjohn machine, it will be noted that there are three sight -openings in the casing through which the registration of the numeral -wheels may be read. The numeral wheels, like those of all machines -of this character, are connected by devices of a similar nature to -those in the Hill machine for carrying the tens, one operating between -the units and tens wheel and another between the tens and hundredths wheel.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Robjohn machine</i></div> - -<p>The units wheel shown in <a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">Fig. 3</a> -is connected by gearing to a long pin-wheel rotor, marked E, so that -any rotation of the rotor E, will give a like rotation to the units -numeral wheel to which it is entrained by gearing.</p> - -<p>To each of the nine digital keys, marked B, is attached an engaging and -disengaging sector gear device, which, as shown in <a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">Fig. 3</a>, -although normally not in engagement with the rotor E, will upon depression of -its attached key, engage the rotor and turn it.</p> - -<p>A stop device is supplied for the key action, which in turn was -supposed to stop the gear action; that seems rather doubtful. However, -an alternative device is shown in <a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">Figs. 4 and 5</a>, -which provides what may without question be called a stop device to -prevent over-rotation of the units wheel under direct key action. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BOUCHET_PATENT" src="images/i_p040.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="748" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Bouchet Patent 314,561</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> -It will be noted that the engaging and disengaging gear device is here -shown in the form of a gear-toothed rack and that the key stem is -provided with a projecting arm ending in a downwardly projecting tooth -or detent which may engage the rotor E, and stop it at the end of the -downward key action. While the stopping of the rotor shows a control in -the Robjohn machine which takes place under direct action from the keys -to prevent overthrow of the units numeral wheel, it did not prevent the -overflow of the higher or tens wheels, if a carry should take place. -There was no provision for a control of the numeral wheels under the -action received from the carry of the tens by the transfer mechanism.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First control for a carried numeral wheel</i></div> - -<p>The first attempt to control the carried wheel in a key-driven machine -is found in a patent issued to Bouchet in 1882 (<a href="#BOUCHET_PATENT">see illustration -on opposite page</a>); but it was a Geneva motion gearing which, as is -generally known, may act to transmit power and then act to lock the -wheel to which the power has been transmitted until it is again to be -turned through the same source. Such a geared up and locked relation -between the numeral wheels, of course, made the turning of the higher -wheel (which had been so locked) by another set of key-mechanism an -impossibility.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Bouchet Machine</span></h3> - -<p>The <a href="#BOUCHET_PATENT">illustration of the Bouchet machine</a> -on the opposite page was reproduced from the drawings of the patent which is the -nearest to the machine that was placed on the market. The numeral wheels, like most -of the single-digit adders, are three in number, and consist of the prime -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span> -actuated, or units wheel, and two overflow wheels to receive the carry -of the tens. The units wheel has fixed to it a long 10-tooth pinion or -rotor I, with which nine internal segmental gear racks L, are arranged -to engage and turn the units wheel through their nine varying additive -degrees of rotation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Bouchet machine</i></div> - -<p>The segmental gear racks L, are normally out of mesh with the pinion -I, and are fast to the key levers E, in such a manner that the first -depression of a key causes its rack to rock forward and engage with the -pinion I, and further depression moves the rack upward and rotates the -pinion and units numeral wheel. It will be noted that this engaging and -disengaging gear action is in principle like that of Robjohn.</p> - -<p>The transfer devices for the carry of the tens, as already stated, -belong to that class of mechanism commonly known as the “Geneva -motion.” It consists of a mutilated or one-tooth gear fast to the units -wheel operating with a nine-tooth gear, marked D¹, loosely mounted on -an axis parallel to the numeral wheel axis. Each revolution of the -units wheel moves the nine-tooth gear three spaces, and in turn moves -the next higher numeral wheel to which it is geared far enough to -register one point or the carry. A circular notched disc, marked S, is -fast to the units wheel, and the nine-tooth gear D¹, has part of two -out of every three of its teeth mutilated or cut away to make a convex -surface for the notched disc to rotate in.</p> - -<p>With such construction the nine-tooth gear may not rotate or become -displaced as long as the periphery of the disc continues to occupy any -one of the three convex spaces of the nine-tooth gear. When, however, -the notch of the disc is presented to the mutilated portion of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> -nine-tooth gear, the said gear is unlocked. This unlocking is -coincident to the engagement of the single tooth of the numeral -wheel-gear with the nine-tooth gear and the passing of the numeral -wheel from 9 to 0, during which the nine-tooth gear will be moved three -spaces, and will be again locked as the notch in the disc passes and the -periphery fills the next convex space of the mutilated nine-tooth gear.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Bouchet machine marketed</i></div> - -<p>The Bouchet machine was manufactured and sold to some extent, but -never became popular, as it lacked capacity. Machines of such limited -capacity could not compete with ordinary accountants, much less with -those who could mentally add from two to four columns at a clip. -Aside from the capacity feature, there was another reason why these -single-order machines were useless, except to those who could not -add mentally. Multiple forms of calculation, that is, multiplication -and division, call for a machine having a multiplicity of orders. -The capacity of a single order would be but 9 × 9, which requires no -machine at all—a seven-year-old child knows that. To multiply 58964 -× 6824, however, is a different thing, and requires a multiple-order -calculator.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Misuse of the term “Calculating Machine”</i></div> - -<p>It is perhaps well at this time to point out the misuse of the term -calculating where it is applied to machines having only a capacity -for certain forms of calculating as compared with machines which -perform in a practical way all forms of calculation, that is, -addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. To apply the term -“calculating machine” to a machine having anything less than a capacity -for all these forms is erroneous.</p> - -<p>An adding machine may perform one of the forms of calculation, but to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> -call it a calculating machine when it has no capacity for division, -subtraction or multiplication, is an error; and yet we find the U. S. -Patent Office records stuffed full of patents granted on machines thus -erroneously named. The term calculating is the broad term covering all -forms of calculation, and machines performing less should be designated -according to their specific capacities.</p> - -<p>It is true that adding is calculating, and under these circumstances, -why then may not an adding machine be called a calculator? The answer -is that it may be calculating to add; it may be calculating to either -subtract, multiply or divide; but if a machine adds and is lacking in -the means of performing the other forms of calculation, it is only part -of a calculating machine and lacks the features that will give it title -to being a full-fledged calculator.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>Considerable contention was raised by parties in a late patent suit as -to what constituted the make-up of a calculating machine. One of the -attorneys contended that construction was the only thing that would -distinguish a calculating machine. But as machines are named by their -functioning, the contention does not hold water. That is to say: A -machine may be a calculating machine and yet its construction be such -that it performs its functions of negative and positive calculation -without reversal of its action.</p> - -<p>Again, a machine may be a calculating machine and operate in one -direction for positive calculation and the reverse for negative -calculation. As long as the machine has been so arranged that all forms -of calculation may be performed by it without mental computation, and -the machine has a reasonable capacity of at least eight orders, it -should be entitled to be called a calculating machine. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="SPALDING_PATENT" src="images/i_p046.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="736" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Drawings of Spalding Patent No. 293,809</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Spalding Machine</span></h3> - -<p>The next machine that has any bearing on the key-driven Art of which -there is a record, is illustrated in a patent granted to C. G. Spalding -in 1884 (<a href="#SPALDING_PATENT">see illustration on opposite page</a>). -The Spalding invention, like that of Bouchet, was provided with control -for its primary actuation and control for its secondary or carrying actuation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Spalding machine</i></div> - -<p>Referring to the <a href="#SPALDING_PATENT">Spalding machine</a> -reproduced from the drawings of his patent, the reader will note that -in place of the units and tens numeral wheels, a clock hand has been -supplied, co-operating with a dial graduated from 0 to 99, showing the -figures 5, 10, 15, etc., to 95, for every five graduations.</p> - -<p>Another similar hand or arrow and dial to register the hundreds is also -provided, having a capacity to register nineteen hundred. Attached to -the arrows, through a shaft connection at the back of the casing are -ratchet wheels, having respectively the same number of teeth as the -graduation of the dial to which each hand belongs.</p> - -<p>Co-operating with the hundred-tooth ratchet of the units and tens -register hand is a ratchet and lever motion device (<a href="#SPALDING_PATENT">see Fig. 2</a>) -to turn the arrow from one to nine points of the graduation of -the dial. The ratchet and lever motion device consists of the -spring-pressed pawl E, mounted on the lever arm D, engaging the -hundred-tooth ratchet, the link or push-rod F, the lever G, and its -spring O. It will be noted that a downward action of the lever G, will, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> -through the rod F, cause a like downward action of the lever D, causing -the ratchet pawl E to be drawn over the ratchet teeth. Upon the release -of the lever G, the spring O, will return it to its normal position and -through the named connecting parts, ratchet forward the arrow.</p> - -<p>The normal position of the pawl E is jammed into the tooth of the -ratchet and against the bracket C, that forms the pivot support for -the pivot shaft of the arrow. This jammed or locked combination serves -to stop the momentum of the ratchet wheel at the end of the ratcheting -action, and holds the wheel and its arrow normally locked until the -lever G is again depressed.</p> - -<p>The means for gauging the depression and additive degrees of action of -the lever G is produced through the slides or keys marked a, having -finger-pieces c, springs f, and pins e, bearing against the top of the -lever G, combined with what may be called a compensating lever marked K.</p> - -<p>The specification of the patent states that the depression of a key -will depress the lever G and the free end will engage the bent end t, -of the compensating lever K, and rock its envolute curved arm M, upward -until it engages the pin e of the key, which will block further motion -of the parts.</p> - -<p>The effectiveness of the construction shown for the lever K is open to -question.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Prime actuation of a carried wheel impossible in the -Spalding machine</i></div> - -<p>The carry of the hundreds is accomplished by means of a one-step -ratchet device represented by the parts lever R, pawl T, spring P, and -operating pin g. When the hundred-tooth ratchet nears the end of its -revolution, the pin g, made fast therein, engages the free end of the -ratchet lever R, and depresses it; and as the hand attached to the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> -hundred-tooth ratchet wheel passes from 99 to 0 the pin g passes off -the end of the ratchet lever R, and the spring P retracts the lever -ratcheting the twenty-tooth wheel and its arrow forward one point so -that the arrow registers one point greater on the hundreds dial.</p> - -<p>Although the Spalding means of control under carrying differed from -that of Bouchet in construction, its function was virtually the same -in that it locked the carried or higher wheel in such a manner as to -prevent the wheel from being operated by an ordinal set of key mechanism.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">And the control under key action would prevent -a carry being delivered to that order through the locked relation of -the ratchet and pawl E.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p049.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="149" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">The Key-Driven Calculator</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">While</span></big> these -single-digit adding machines have been used to illustrate how the -control, which was lacking in the Hill invention, had been recognized -by other inventors as a necessary requisite to the key-drive, it should -not be construed that such carrying control as had been applied to -their inventions was of a type that could be used in the Hill machine -or in any multiple-order key-driven machine. It was thirty years after -the first attempt to control a key-driven machine was made before an -operative multiple-order key-driven machine, with a control that would -prevent over-rotation, was finally invented.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Theory versus the concrete</i></div> - -<p>Theoretically, it would seem that the only feature or element lacking -in the Art prior to 1886, to produce a real key-driven calculator was -means that would control the carrying and also leave the carried wheel -free for key actuation. It was, however, quite a different problem. -Theoretical functions may be patched together to make a theoretical -machine; but that is only theory and not the concrete.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>All but one of the generic elements solved</i></div> - -<p>To take fragmental parts of such machines as were disclosed in the Art -and patch them together into anything practical was impossible, even if -one had been familiar with the Art and could devise mechanism to supply -the new element. That is, leaving aside the broad or generic theoretical -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> -elements, which today, from knowledge gained by later inventions, serve -the make-up of a key-driven calculator, there was still lacking any -concrete example or specific design of a whole machine, as there was -no such machine disclosed in the drawings of patents, or any known -mechanism which, if arranged in multiples, would be operative as a -practical machine even if mechanism to supply the new element were to -be added.</p> - -<p>In other words, while it is conceded from our present knowledge that -all but one of the generic theoretical elements had been solved as -disclosed in the various before-named machines, it required the -application of these elements in a different way from anything before -disclosed; which in itself required a different concrete form of the -generic principles for the whole machine as well as a generic form of -invention covering the new theoretical element.</p> - -<p>It may be easy to analyze that which exists, but quite a different -story to conceive that which did not exist. With reference to the Art, -however, the production of the new element is a feature that may be -credited without question. The concrete does not enter into it other -than as proof that a new feature has been created.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Originality of inventions</i></div> - -<p>While the discussion of the Art from a scientific standpoint brings -together in after years what has been accomplished by different -inventors, it is doubtful whether any of these early inventors had -other knowledge than what may possibly have been obtained from seeing -one of the foreign-made crank-driven machines. All inventors work with -an idea obtained from some source, but on the whole few copy inventions -of others. When an Art is fully established, however, and machines -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> -representing the Art are to be found on the market and the principal -features of such machines are portrayed in a later patent, it may -rightly be called a copy. To assume, however, that a novice has taken -the trouble to delve into the archives of the patent office and study -the scattered theoretical elements of the Art and supply a new element -to make a combination that is needed to produce a practical key-driven -calculator, is not a probable assumption. But allowing such assumption -were possible, it is evident that from anything that the Art disclosed -prior to 1887 it was not possible to solve the concrete production of a -key-driven calculator.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>A conception which led to the final solution</i></div> - -<p>In 1884, a young machinist, while running a planer, conceived an idea -from watching its ratchet feed motion, which was indirectly responsible -for the final solution of the multiple-order key-driven calculating -machine. The motion, which was like that to be found on all planing -machines, could be adjusted to ratchet one, two, three, four or more -teeth for a fine or coarse feed.</p> - -<p>While there is nothing in such a motion that would in any way solve the -problem of the modern calculator, it was enough to excite the ambitions -of the man who did finally solve it. It is stated that the young man, -after months of thought, made a wooden model, which he finished early -in 1885. This model is extant, and is illustrated on the -<a href="#MACARONI">opposite page</a>.</p> - -<p>The inventor was Dorr E. Felt, who is well known in the -calculating machine Art as the manufacturer of the “Comptometer,” and -in public life as a keen student of economic and scientific subjects. -The wooden model, as will be noted, was crude, but it held the nucleus -of the machine to come. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="MACARONI" src="images/i_p053.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="665" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">“Macaroni Box” Model</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span></p> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="DEFELT" src="images/i_p055.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="264" /> - <p class="f120">Dorr E. Felt</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> -Mr. Felt has given some interesting facts regarding his experience in -making the wooden model.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Evolution of an invention</i></div> - -<p>He says: “Watching the planer-feed set me to scheming on ideas for -a machine to simplify the hard grind of the bookkeeper in his day’s -calculation of accounts.</p> - -<p>“I realized that for a machine to hold any value to an accountant, it -must have greater capacity than the average expert accountant. Now I -knew that many accountants could mentally add four columns of figures -at a time, so I decided that I must beat that in designing my machine. -Therefore, I worked on the principle of duplicate denominational -orders that could be stretched to any capacity within reason. The plan -I finally settled on is displayed in what is generally known as the -“Macaroni Box” model. This crude model was made under rather adverse -circumstances.</p> - -<p>“The construction of such a complicated machine from metal, as I had -schemed up, was not within my reach from a monetary standpoint, so I -decided to put my ideas into wood.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Trials of an inventor</i></div> - -<p>“It was near Thanksgiving Day of 1884, and I decided to use the holiday -in the construction of the wooden model. I went to the grocer’s and -selected a box which seemed to me to be about the right size for the -casing. It was a macaroni box, so I have always called it the macaroni -box model. For keys I procured some meat skewers from the butcher -around the corner and some staples from a hardware store for the key -guides and an assortment of elastic bands to be used for springs. When -Thanksgiving day came I got up early and went to work with a few tools, -principally a jack knife. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p> - -<p>“I soon discovered that there were some parts which would require -better tools than I had at hand for the purpose, and when night came I -found that the model I had expected to construct in a day was a long -way from being complete or in working order. I finally had some of the -parts made out of metal, and finished the model soon after New Year’s -day, 1885.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The first “Comptometer”</i></div> - -<p>By further experimenting the scheme of the wooden model was improved -upon, and Felt produced, in the fall of 1886, a finished practical -machine made of metal. This machine is illustrated on the -<a href="#COMPTOMETER">opposite page</a>.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Felt Calculating Machine</span></h3> - -<p>Referring to the <a href="#COMPTOMETER">illustration of Felt’s first metal machine</a>, -it will be noted that the machine has been partly dismantled. The -model was robbed of some of its parts to be used as samples for the -manufacture of a lot of machines that were made later. In view of the -fact that this machine is the first operative multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine made, it seems a shame that it had to be so -dismantled; but the remaining orders are operative and serve well to -demonstrate the claims held for it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt patent 371,496</i></div> - -<p>The mechanism of the machine is illustrated in the reproduction of the -<a href="#FELT_PATENT1">drawings of Felt’s patent, 371,496</a>, on page 58. -The specification of this patent shows that it was applied for in March, 1887, -and issued October 11, 1887.</p> - -<p>From the outward appearance of the machine it has the same general -scheme of formation as is disclosed in the wooden model. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="COMPTOMETER" src="images/i_p057.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="684" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">The First “Comptometer”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FELT_PATENT1" src="images/i_p058a.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="438" /> - <img id="FELT_PATENT2" src="images/i_p058b.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="437" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 371,496</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Felt calculator</i></div> - -<p>The constructional scheme of the mechanism consists of a series of -numeral wheels, marked A in the <a href="#FELT_PATENT1">patent drawings</a>. -Each wheel is provided with a ratchet wheel, and co-acting with the -ratchet is a pawl mounted on a disc E², carried by the pinion E¹, -which is rotatably mounted on the same axis as the numeral wheel. The -arrangement of these parts is such that a rotating motion given any of -the pinions E¹, in a clockwise direction, <a href="#FELT_PATENT1">as shown in the -drawings</a>, would give a like action to their respective numeral wheels; but any -motion of the pinions in an anti-clockwise direction would have no -effect on the numeral wheels, owing to back-stop pawls K, and stop-pins -T, provided to allow movement of the numeral wheels in but one direction.</p> - -<p>Co-acting with each pinion E¹, is shown a long lever D, pivoted at -the rear of the machine and provided with a segmental gear rack which -meshes with the teeth of the pinion E¹. This lever comes under what is -now generally termed a segment lever.</p> - -<p>Each lever is provided with a spring S, which normally holds the front -or rack end upward in the position shown in <a href="#FELT_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a>, -and has co-acting with it a series of nine depressable keys which protrude -through the casing and contact with the upper edge of the lever.</p> - -<p>The arrangement of the keys with their segment levers provides that the -depression of any key will depress the segment lever of that order, -which in turn will rotate the pinion E¹ and its numeral wheel.</p> - -<p>While this arrangement is such that each key of a series gives a -different degree of leverage action to the segment lever, and in turn a -degree of rotation to the numeral wheel of the same order in accordance -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> -with the numerical value of the key depressed, it may be conceived that -the momentum set up by the quick stroke of a key would set the numeral -wheel spinning perhaps two or three revolutions, or at any rate way -beyond the point it should stop at to register correctly.</p> - -<p>To preserve correct actuation of the mechanism and overcome its -momentum, Felt provided a detent toothed lever for each numeral wheel, -which will be found marked J¹ in the <a href="#FELT_PATENT1">drawings</a>. -To this lever he linked another lever G, which extended below the -keys, and arranged the length of the key-stems so that when each key -had revolved the numeral wheel the proper distance, the key will have -engaged the lever G, and through the link connection will have caused -the detent tooth of the lever J¹ to engage one of the pins T, of the -numeral wheel, thus bringing the numeral wheel and the whole train of -mechanism to a dead stop.</p> - -<p>This combination was timed so that the (1) key would add one, the (2) -key would add two, etc., up to nine for the (9) key. Thus the prime -actuation of each wheel was made safe and positive.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Recapitulation of Art prior to Felt calculator</i></div> - -<p>Before explaining the means by which the carry of the tens was effected -in the Felt machine without interfering with multiple-order prime -actuation, it will perhaps help the reader to recapitulate on what the -Art already offered.</p> - -<p>Going back to the Art, prior to Felt’s invention, there are a few -facts worth reconsidering that point to the broadly new contributions -presented in the Felt invention, and combining these facts with a -little theory may perhaps give a clearer understanding of what was put -into practice.</p> - -<p>In most lines of mechanical engineering in the past, the term “theory -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>” -connected with mechanical construction was a bugaboo. But the solution -of the modern calculating machine was wholly dependent upon it.</p> - -<p>Let us summarize on the Art, prior to Felt’s invention. A calculating -machine that would calculate, if we eliminate the key-driven feature, -was old. The key-driven feature applied to adding mechanism was old as -adapted to a single-order machine with a capacity for adding only a -single column of digits.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Why Hill failed to produce an operative machine</i></div> - -<p>Hill attempted to make a multiple order key-driven machine, but failed -because he did not theorize on the necessities involved in the physical -laws of mechanics.</p> - -<p>Hill saw only the columnar arrangement of the ordinal division of the -keyboard, and his thought did not pass beyond such relation of the -keys for conveyance. There is no desire to belittle this feature, but -it did not solve the problem that was set forth in the specification -and claims of his patent; neither did it solve it for anyone else who -wished to undertake the making of such a machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Idiosyncrasies of force and motion increased by use of -keys</i></div> - -<p>The introduction of keys as a driving feature in the calculating -machine Art demanded design and construction suitable to control the -new idiosyncrasies of force and motion injected into the Art by their -use, of which the elements of inertia and momentum were the most troublesome.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Light construction a feature</i></div> - -<p>Hill, in the design and construction of his machine, ignored these two -elementary features of mechanics and paid the penalty by defeat. The -tremendous speed transmitted to the parts of a key-driven machine, -which has already been illustrated, required that lightness in -construction which is absolutely necessary to reduce inertia to a -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span> -minimum, should be observed. The Hill machine design is absolutely -lacking in such thought. The diameter of the numeral wheel and -its heavy construction alone show this. Lightness of construction -also enters into the control of momentum when the mechanism must -suddenly be brought to a dead stop in its lightning-speed action. A -heavily-constructed numeral wheel like that shown in the Hill patent -would be as hard to check as it would to start, even if Hill had -provided means for checking it.</p> - -<p>Strength of design and construction, without the usual increase in -weight to attain such end, but above all, the absolute control of -momentum, were features that had to be worked out.</p> - -<p>Robjohn partly recognized these features, but he limited the -application of such reasoning to the prime actuation of a single order, -and made nothing operable in a multiple key-driven machine.</p> - -<p>Spalding and Bouchet recognized that the application of control was -necessary for both prime actuation and carrying, but, like Robjohn, -they devised nothing that would operate with a series of keys beyond a -single order.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Operative features necessary</i></div> - -<p>An operative principle for control under prime actuation was perhaps -present in some of the single-order key-driven machines, but whatever -existed was applied to machines with keys arranged in the bank form -of construction, and, to be used with the keys in columnar formation, -required at least a new constructive type of invention. But none of -the means of control for carrying, prior to Felt’s invention, held any -feature that would solve the problem in a multiple-order machine. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Classification of the features contained in the early Art -of key-driven machines</i></div> - -<p>While all the machines referred to have not been illustrated and -described here, fair samples of the type that have any pertinence -to the Art have been discussed, and those not illustrated would add -nothing more than has been shown. A classification of the inventions -referred to may be made as follows:</p> - -<p>Parmelee and Stetner had no carrying mechanism; Hill, Robjohn, -Borland and Hoffman, Swem, Lindholm and Smith had no control for the -carry. Carroll, Bouchet and Spalding show a control for the carrying -action, which in itself would defeat the use of a higher wheel for -prime actuation, and which obviously would also defeat its use in a -multiple-order key-driven machine.</p> - -<p>One of the principal reasons why theory was necessary to solve the -problem of the key-driven calculator existed in the impossibility -of seeing what took place in the action of the mechanism under the -lightning speed which it receives in operation. Almost any old device -could be made to operate if moved slow enough to see and study its -action; but the same mechanism that would operate under slow action -would not operate correctly under the lightning-speed action they -could receive from key depression. Only theoretical reasoning could be -used to analyze the cause when key-driven mechanism failed to operate -correctly.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Carrying mechanism of Felt’s calculator</i></div> - -<p>Referring again to the <a href="#FELT_PATENT1">drawings of the Felt patent</a>, -which illustrate the first embodiment of a multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine, we find, what Felt calls in the claims and -specifications, a carrying mechanism for a multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine. This mechanism was, as set forth in the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> -specification, a mechanism for transferring the tens, which have been -accumulated by one order, to a higher order, by adding one to the wheel -of higher order for each accumulation of ten by the lower order wheel. -This, in the Felt machine, as in most machines, was effected by the -rotation of a numbered drum, called the numeral wheel, marked with the -nine digits and cipher.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Transfer devices</i></div> - -<p>The term “transfer device” for such mechanism was in common use, and as -a term it fits certain parts of all classes of devices used for that -purpose, whether for a crank-driven, key-driven, or any other type -of multiple-order or single-order machine. But in the Felt invention -we find it was not the simple device generally used for transferring -the tens. It was, in fact, a combination of devices co-acting with -each other which, in the specification of the patent, was termed the -carrying mechanism.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Carrying mechanism versus mere transfer devices</i></div> - -<p>Now, carrying mechanism may in a sense be termed a transfer device, -as one of its functions is that of transferring power to carry the -tens, but a mere transfer device may not be truthfully termed a -carrying mechanism for a multiple-order key-driven machine unless it -performs the functions that go to make up a correct carrying of the -tens in that class of machine, and which we find laid down under the -head of carrying mechanism in the Felt patents, where we find the -first operative carrying mechanism ever invented for a multiple-order -key-driven machine.</p> - -<p>The functions demanded of such a piece of mechanism are as follows: -First, the storing of power to perform the carry; second, the unlocking -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> -of the numeral wheel to be carried; third, the delivery of the power -stored to perform such carry; fourth, the stopping and locking of the -carried wheel when it has been moved to register such carry; and fifth, -clearing the carrying-lock during prime actuation. A seemingly simple -operation, but let those who have tried to construct such mechanism -judge; they at least have some idea of it and they will no doubt bow -their heads in acknowledgment of the difficulties involved in this -accomplishment.</p> - -<p>Mechanism for carrying the tens in single digit adders was one thing, -and such as was used could well be called a transfer device; but -mechanism for carrying the tens in a real key-driven calculating -machine was another thing, and a feature not solved until Felt solved -it, and justly called such combination of devices a “carrying mechanism.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Details of Felt carrying mechanism</i></div> - -<p>In the Felt machine, the carrying mechanism consisted of a lever and -ratchet pawl action, constructed of the parts M, m², operated by a -spring m, the pawl acting upon the numeral wheel pins T, to ratchet -the wheel forward under the spring power. The power in the spring was -developed from the rotation of the lower wheel, which through the means -of an envolute cam<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> -attached to left side of each wheel, operated the carrying lever in -the opposite direction to that in which it was operated by the spring. -As the carrying lever passed the highest point of the cam spiral and -dropped off, the stored power in the spring retracted the lever M, and -the pawl m², acting on the higher order wheel pins T, and moved it -one-tenth of a revolution. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></p> - -<p>This part of the mechanism was in principle an old and commonly-used -device for a one-step ratchet motion used in the carry of the tens. -It served as a means of storing and transferring power from the lower -wheel to actuate the higher wheel in a carrying operation, but a wholly -unqualified action without control.</p> - -<p>In the Felt machine a spring-actuated lever N, mounted on the same axis -with the carrying lever, and provided with a detent stop-hook at its -upper end, served to engage the numeral wheel at the end of its carried -action, and normally hold it locked.</p> - -<p>An arm or pin P, fixed in and extending from the left side of the -carrying lever and through a hole in the detent lever, acted to -withdraw the detent lever from its locking engagement with the numeral -wheel as the carrying lever reached the extreme point of retraction; -thus the wheel to be carried was unlocked.</p> - -<p>Pivoted to the side of the detent lever is a catch O. This catch -or latch is so arranged as to hook on to a cross-rod q, especially -constructed to co-act with the catch and hold the detent lever against -immediate relocking of the numeral wheel as the carrying lever and pawl -act in a carrying motion. The latch has a tail or arm p, which co-acts -with the pin P on the carrying lever in such a way as to release the -latch as the carrying lever finishes its carrying function.</p> - -<p>Thus the detent lever N is again free to engage one of the control -or stop-pins T to stop and lock the carried numeral wheel when the -carrying lever and pawl, through the action of the spring stored in the -carrying, has moved the wheel the proper distance. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="COMP_BILL" src="images/i_p068.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="416" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Bill for First Manufacturing Tools of the “Comptometer”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> -A lot of functions to take place in ¹/₁₆₅ of a second, but it worked. -The timing of the stop and locking detents, of course, was one of the -finest features.</p> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="EARLY_COMP" src="images/i_p069.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="201" /> - <p class="f120">Early Comptometer</p> -</div> - -<p>The normal engagement of the carrying detent, it may be understood, -would prevent the movement of the wheel by key action or prime -actuation, but the patent shows how Felt overcame this.</p> - -<p>The carrying stop and locking detent lever N is provided with a cam-arm -or pin N, which was arranged to co-act with the cam disc E (<a href="#FELT_PATENT1">see Fig. -1</a>), fast to the prime actuating pinion E. The cam surface was short -and performed its function during a short lost motion arranged to take -place before the ratchet pawl would pick up and move the numeral wheel -under key actuation.</p> - -<p>The camming action was outward and away from the center, and thus -released the carrying stop from its locking position with the numeral -wheel, and continued rotation of the pinion and cam disc would hold the -lock out of action until the parts had returned to normal.</p> - -<p>With the return action of the keys, segment lever, pinion and cam disc, -through the action of a spring attached to the segment lever, the -carrying stop detent will again engage and lock the numeral wheel.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Manufacture of the Felt calculator</i></div> - -<p>Felt really started to manufacture his calculating machine in the fall -of 1886, after perfecting his invention. Having only a very limited -amount of money with which to produce machines, young Felt, then but 24 -years of age, was obliged to make the machines himself, but with the -aid of some dies which he had made for some of the principal parts -(<a href="#COMP_BILL">see reproduction of bill</a> for dies on opposite page), -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> -he was able to produce eight finished machines before September, 1887. -Two of these machines were immediately put into service, for the -training of operators, as soon as they were finished.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Trade name of Felt calculator</i></div> - -<p>Of the first trained operators to operate these machines, which were -given the trademark name “Comptometer,” one was Geo. D. Mackay, and -another was Geo. W. Martin. After three or four months’ practice Mr. -Martin demonstrated one of these machines to such firms as Sprague, -Warner & Co., Pitkin & Brooks, The Chicago Daily News, and the Chicago, -Burlington & Quincy R. R. Co., and finally took employment with the -Equitable Gas Light & Fuel Co. of Chicago (<a href="#MARTIN">see letter -on opposite page</a>) as operator of the “Comptometer.” The Gas Co. has -since been merged with several other companies into the Peoples Gas -Light & Coke Co. of Chicago.</p> - -<p>A very high testimonial of the qualities of the Felt invention was -given by Mr. Martin in 1888, a year after he entered the employment of -the Gas Co., and is <a href="#TESTI1">reproduced on page 72</a>.</p> - -<p>Another fine testimonial was given by Geo. A. Yulle, Secy. & Treas. of -the Chicago Gas Light & Coke Co., in September, 1888 (<a href="#TESTI1">see page 74</a>). -Mr. Mackay, the other operator, secured employment with Albert Dickinson & -Co., Seed Merchants, as operator of the “Comptometer.” Mr. Mackay was -interviewed a few months ago, and was at that time, after thirty years, -still with the same firm, and a strong advocate of the “Comptometer.” -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="MARTIN" src="images/i_p071.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="664" /> - <p class="f120">Letter from Geo. W. Martin</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="TESTI1" src="images/i_p072.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="521" /> - <p class="f120">Testimonial</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="TESTI2" src="images/i_p073.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="561" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Testimonial</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="ELLIOT" src="images/i_p074a.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="517" /> - <p> </p> - <img id="ROSE" src="images/i_p074b.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="576" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Letters from Elliott and Rosecrans</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt calculator Exhibit at National Museum</i></div> - -<p>In September, 1887, Felt took one of the first eight machines to -Washington and exhibited it to Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, then Registrar of -the Treasury, and left the machine in the office of Dr. E. B. Elliott, -Actuary of the Treasury, where it was put into constant use. Proof of -the date of this use of Felt’s invention in the Treasury is set forth -in the reproduction of two letters (<a href="#ELLIOT">see opposite page</a>), -one was written by Mr. Elliott and another by Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, in -answer to an inquiry of the Hall Typewriter Co. of Salem, Mass. Another -of the first eight machines was placed with Dr. Daniel Draper, of the -N. Y. State Weather Bureau, New York City.</p> - -<p>Felt finally closed a deal with Mr. Robert Tarrant of Chicago, whereby -a partnership contract was signed November 28, 1887. The partnership -was incorporated January 25, 1889, under the name of the Felt & Tarrant -Mfg. Co., who are still manufacturing and selling “Comptometers” under -that name.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Significant proof of Felt’s claim of priority</i></div> - -<p>Laying aside all the evidence set forth in the foregoing history of -key-driven machines and their idiosyncrasies, significant proof of -Felt’s claim as the first inventor of the modern calculating machine -is justified by the fact that no other multiple-order key-driven -calculating machine was placed on the market prior to 1902.</p> - -<p>Lest we lose sight of a most important feature in dealing with the Art -of the Modern Calculator, we should call to mind the fact that as Felt -was the originator of this type of machine, he was also the originator -of the scheme of operation in its performance of the many and varied -short cuts in arithmetical calculation.</p> - -<p>The performance of calculation on machines of the older Art differed so -entirely from the new that any scheme of operation that may have been -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span> -devised for their use would lend nothing to the derivation of the new -process for operating the key-driven machine of the new Art.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Rules for operation an important factor of modern -calculator</i></div> - -<p>A superficial examination of one of the instruction books of the -“Comptometer” will convince most any one that it is not only the -mechanism of the machine that made the modern calculator so valuable -to the business world, but also the schemes laid down for its use. The -instructions for figuring Multiplication, Subtraction, Division, Square -Root, Cube Root, Interest, Exchange, Discount, English Currency, etc., -involved hard study to devise such simple methods and rules.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">The instruction books written by Felt for the -“Comptometer, the Modern Calculator,” reflect the genius disclosed in -the invention of the machine itself. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p076.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="140" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BARBOUR_PATENT1" src="images/i_p078a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="685" /> - <img id="BARBOUR_PATENT2" src="images/i_p078b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="681" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 133,188</p> -</div> - -<hr class="r10" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">Early Efforts in the<br /> Recording Machine Art</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">The</span></big> -Art of recording the addition of columns of figures is old in -principle, but not in practice. Many attempts to make a machine that -would record legibly under all conditions failed. These attempts have -been pointed out from time to time as the first invention of the -recording-adding machine, especially by those desirous of claiming -the laurels.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First attempt to record arithmetical computation</i></div> - -<p>The first attempt at arithmetical recording for which -a patent was issued, was made by E. D. Barbour in 1872 -(<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT1">see illustration on opposite page</a>).</p> - -<p>E. D. Barbour has also the honor of being the first inventor to apply -Napier’s principle to mechanism intended to automatically register -the result of multiplying a number having several ordinal places by a -single digit without mentally adding together the overlapping figures -resulting from direct multiplication. He patented this machine in 1872 -just prior to the issue of his arithmetical recorder patent. -(<a href="#Page_181">See page 181</a>.)</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Barbour Machine</span></h3> - -<p>The printing device disclosed in connection with the Barbour machine -for recording calculations was of the most simple nature, allowing only -for the printing of totals and sub-totals.</p> - -<p>Its manipulation consisted of placing a piece of paper under a hinged -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> -platen and depressing the platen by hand in the same manner that a time -stamp is used. The ink had to be daubed on the type by a hand operation -to make legible the impressions of the type.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Barbour machine</i></div> - -<p>The <a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT1"> patent drawings</a> of the Barbour machine -are so fragmentary that it is almost impossible to draw any conclusion -as to its functions without reading the specifications.</p> - -<p><a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a> represents the base of the machine, -while <a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT2">Fig. 4</a> shows a carriage which, when in -place, is superimposed above the base as illustrated in -<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT2">Figs. 3 and 5</a>.</p> - -<p>The operation of the machine is performed by first pulling out the -slides B (<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT1">shown in Fig. 1</a>), which set -the digital degrees of actuation of each order; and, second, by -operating the hand-lever K, from its normal position at 0 to 1, if it -is desired to add, or to any of the other numbers in accordance to the -value of the multiplier if multiplication is desired.</p> - -<p>The movement of the handle K, from one figure to the other, gives a -reciprocation to the carriage, so that for each figure a reciprocation -will take place.</p> - -<p>Each of the slides B, has a series of nine gear racks; each rack has a -number of teeth ranging progressively from 1 tooth for the first gear -rack to 9 teeth for the last rack, thus the pulling out of the slides B -will present one of the gear racks in line to act upon the accumulator -mechanism of the carriage as the carriage is moved back and forth over it.</p> - -<p>The accumulator mechanism consists of the register wheels M¹ and M² and -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span> -the type wheels M³ and M⁴ mounted on a common arbor and a carry -transfer device between the wheels of each order.</p> - -<p>Operating between the accumulator wheels and the racks of plate B are -a pair of gears, one in the form of a lantern wheel loosely mounted on -the accumulator wheel shaft but connected thereto by a ratchet wheel -and pawl connection; the other, a small pinion meshing with the lantern -wheel on a separate axis, protrudes below the carriage into the path of -the racks.</p> - -<p>Thus as the carriage is moved by the reciprocating device connected -with the hand-lever K, the pinions of the accumulator will engage -whatever racks have been set and the numeral wheels and type wheels -will be operated to give the result.</p> - -<p>The numeral and type wheels have two sets of figures, one of which is -used for addition and multiplication, while the other set runs in the -opposite direction for negative computation or subtraction and division.</p> - -<p>A plate arranged with sight apertures covers the numeral or register -wheels, while the type wheels are left uncovered to allow a hinged -platen F, mounted on the top of the carriage (<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT2">see Fig. 3</a>), -to be swung over on top of them and depressed.</p> - -<p>Attached to the platen F, are a series of spring clips d, under which -strips of paper may be slipped (<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT2">as shown by D, in Fig. 4</a>), -and which serves to hold the paper while an impression is taken.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Barbour machine not practical</i></div> - -<p>Thus the Barbour invention stands in the Art as something to show that -as early as 1872 an effort was made to provide means to preserve a -record of calculations by printing the totals of such calculations. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Baldwin Machine</span></h3> - -<p>The next effort in this class of machines is illustrated in a patent -issued to Frank S. Baldwin in 1875 (<a href="#BALDWIN_MACHINE">see illustration on opposite page</a>). -The Baldwin machine is also of moment as having the scheme found in -the machines known as the Brunsviga, made under the Odhner patents—a -foreign invention, later than that of Baldwin, used extensively abroad -and to a limited extent in this country.</p> - -<p>The contribution of Baldwin to the Art of recording-calculating devices -seems to be only the roll-paper in ribbon form and the application -of the ink ribbon. The method used by Barbour for type impression -was adapted and used by Baldwin; that is, the hinged platen and its -operation by hand.</p> - -<p>Of the illustrations shown of the Baldwin machine, one is reproduced -from the <a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">drawings of the patent</a> -while the other is a <a href="#BALDWIN_MACHINE">photo reproduction -of the actual machine</a> which was placed on the market, but, as may be -noted, minus the printing or recording device shown in the -<a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">patent drawings</a>.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Baldwin machine</i></div> - -<p>Referring to the <a href="#BALDWIN_MACHINE">photo reproduction</a>, -the upper row of figures showing through the sight apertures in -the casing are those of the numeral wheels which accumulate the -totals, and which in the <a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">patent drawings</a> -would represent the type of the accumulator wheels for printing the -totals of addition and multiplication or the remainders of subtraction -and division. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BALDWIN_PATENT" src="images/i_p083a.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="441" /> - <p class="f120">From Drawings of Baldwin Patent No. 159,244</p> - <img id="BALDWIN_MACHINE" src="images/i_p083b.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="494" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Baldwin Machine</p> -</div> - -<p> <span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> -The figures showing below serve to register multiples of addition and -subtraction which would read as the multiplier in multiplications -or the quotient in division. These wheels are the type wheels N, in -the <a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">patent drawings</a>, which serve the purpose -of recording the named functions of calculation.</p> - -<p>The means by which the type wheels of the upper row are turned through -the varying degrees of rotation they receive to register the results -of calculation, consists of a crank-driven, revolvable drum, marked E, -which is provided with several denominational series of projectable -gear teeth h, which may be made to protrude through the drum by operation -of the digital setting-knobs g, situated on the outside of the drum.</p> - -<p>These knobs, as shown in the <a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">patent drawings</a>, -are fast to radial arms, each of which serves as one of three spokes of -a half-wheel device, operating inside the drum and pivoted on the inner -hub of the drum.</p> - -<p>These half wheels marked F, in the <a href="#BALDWIN_PATENT">drawings</a>, -by means of their cam faces h¹, serve to force the gear teeth out -through the face of the drum, or let them recede under the action of -their springs as the knobs g, are operated forward and back in the -slots x, of the drum provided for the purpose.</p> - -<p>As will be noted from the <a href="#BALDWIN_MACHINE">photographic reproduction</a> -of the machine, these slots are notched to allow the arms extending -through them to be locked in nine different radial positions, and that -each of these positions are marked progressively from 0 to 9.</p> - -<p>This arrangement allows the operator to set up numbers in the different -orders by springing the setting-knobs g to the left and pulling them -forward to the number desired, where it will become locked in the notch -when released. This action will have forced out as many gear teeth in -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> -each order as have been set up by the knobs g in their respective orders.</p> - -<p>The lateral positions of the projectable gear teeth correspond to -the spacing of the type-wheels, and an intermediate gear G, meshing -with each type, or register wheel, is loosely mounted on the shaft H, -interposed between the said wheels and the actuating drum E, so that -when the drum is revolved by the crank provided for that purpose, the -gear teeth protruding from the drum will engage the intermediate gears -G, and turn them and their type or register wheels as many of their ten -points of rotation as have been set up in their respective orders of -the setting devices of the drum.</p> - -<p>Revolving the drum in one direction adds, while revolving it in the -opposite direction subtracts, and repeated revolutions in either -direction give respectively the multiple forms of addition or -subtraction which result in either multiplication or division, as the -case may be.</p> - -<p>The actuating drum E, is provided with means by which it may be shifted -to the left to furnish means for multiplying by more than one factor -and to simplify the process of division.</p> - -<p>The means for the carry of the tens consist of a series of teeth i, -formed by the bent end of a pivoted spring-pressed lever arm which is -pivoted to the inside of the actuating drum with the tooth protruding -through a slot in the drum, so arranged as to allow motion of the tooth -in a direction parallel to the drum axis. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="POTTIN_PATENT1" src="images/i_p088a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="680" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="POTTIN_PATENT2" src="images/i_p088b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="685" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Pottin Patent No. 312,014</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> -Normally these teeth are held in a position to escape engagement with -the intermediate gears G, but provision is made for camming the teeth -i, to the left into the path of an intermediate gear of one order as -the type or register wheel of the lower order passes from 9 to 0.</p> - -<p>The parts which perform this function are the cam m, located on the -left side of each wheel, the plunger M, which operates in the fixed -shaft H, and which has a T-shaped head that, when projected into the -path of the carrying teeth i, serve to cam them sidewise and bring -about the engagement referred to, which results in the higher type or -numeral wheel being stepped forward one space.</p> - -<p>The cam-lugs j on the drum serve to engage and push back the T heads of -the cam plungers M, after they have brought about the one-step movement -of the higher wheel.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Baldwin’s printing mechanism</i></div> - -<p>The printing device consists of a hand-manipulated frame pivoted to -the main frame of the machine by the shaft t. The paper is supplied -from a roll about the shaft t, and an ink-ribbon is fed back and forth -from the rolls u and u¹ over bars of the printing-frame which protrude -through slots in the casing and act as platens for the impression of -the paper and ink-ribbon against the type.</p> - -<p>It is presumed that the paper was torn off after a record was printed -in the same manner as in the more modern machines.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Pottin Machine</span></h3> - -<p>Eight years after the Baldwin patent was issued, a Frenchman named -Henry Pottin, residing in Paris, France, invented a machine for -recording cash transactions, which he patented in England in 1883 and -in the United States in 1885 (<a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">see illustration on opposite page</a>). -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span></p> - -<p>The form and design of the machine, as will be noted, correspond quite -favorably with the scheme of the present-day cash register, although it -lacks the later refinement that has made the cash register acceptable -from a visible point of view.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First key-set crank-operated machine and first -attempt to record the items in addition</i></div> - -<p>The Pottin invention is named here as the first in which two of the -prime principles of the recording-adders of today are disclosed; one -is the depressable key-set feature and the other is the recording of -the numerical items. The Pottin machine was the first known depressable -key-set crank-operated machine made to add columns of figures and the -first machine in which an attempt was made to print the numerical items -as they were added.</p> - -<p>Turning to the <a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">illustration of the U. S. patent drawings</a> -of the Pottin machine, the reader will note that there are four -large wheels shown, marked B. These wheels are what may be called -the type-wheels, although they also serve as indicator wheels for -registering cash sales. The type figures are formed by a series of -needles fixed in the face of the wheels.</p> - -<p>The means employed for presenting the proper type figure for printing -and likewise the indicator figures to indicate the amount set up in -each denominational order was as follows:</p> - -<p>Referring to <a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a>, it will be noted -that to each type-wheel is geared a spring-actuated segmental rack -marked D, which, as shown in the drawing, is in contact with a pin -marked i, which protrudes from the side of the depressed number (9) key.</p> - -<p>The normal position of the rack D, is indicated in dotted lines showing -the next higher sector which has not been displaced by key depression. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Pottin machine</i></div> - -<p>Each key, as will be noted from <a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">Fig. 7</a>, -is provided with one of the pins i, which is normally out of the -path of the lug j, as the racks D, drop forward; but when any key is -depressed the pin is presented in the path of the lug j, and stops -further forward action of the rack.</p> - -<p>It will be noted that the arrangement of the keys is such as will allow -progressively varying degrees of action to the segmental racks D. This -variation, combined with the geared relation of the type-wheels and -racks is equivalent to a tenth of a rotation of the type-wheel for each -successive key in the order of their arrangement from 1 to 9.</p> - -<p>The means provided for holding the segmental racks D, at normal, also -serves to hold a key of the same order depressed, and consists of a -pivoted spring-pressed latch-frame marked E (<a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">see Figs. 7 and 8</a>).</p> - -<p>With such a combination, the depression of keys in the several orders -will unlatch the segmental racks, and the racks, through the tension -of their actuating springs, will turn the wheels and present a type -corresponding to the numerical value of each key depressed.</p> - -<p>A hand lever, marked R, located on left side of the machine provides -power for printing the items. Another hand lever, marked J, serves -to restore the segmental racks, type-wheels and the keys to normal, -and through the co-operation of the lever R, adds the items to the -totalizer numeral wheels, which are shown in <a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a> -as the numbered wheels marked v. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span></p> - -<p>The paper is supplied from a roll mounted on a hinged platen frame P¹, -supported in its normal position by a spring P³. The paper passes under -the roller P, which acts as a platen for the impression of the type. A -shaft Q, passing under the frame P¹, is fast and rigidly connected on -the left-hand side of the machine with the hand lever R, and acts as a -pivot for the said lever and by means of lateral projections q, serves -when the lever R is operated to engage the frame P¹, and depresses it -until the needle types have pricked the numerical items through the paper.</p> - -<p>A slit in the casing provided means for printing the item on a separate -piece of paper or bill.</p> - -<p>Although there is no means shown by which the paper is fed after an -item is printed, it is claimed in the specification that the well-known -means for such feeding may be employed. The actuating lever J referred -to, is connected by a ratchet and geared action with the shaft F<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>, -so that a revolution is given the said shaft each time the lever is operated.</p> - -<p>To the shaft F, (<a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">see Fig. 1</a>) is attached -a series of arms H, one for each order, which, as the shaft revolves in -the direction of the arrow, engages a lug marked I, on the segmental -racks D, thus rocking the segments back to normal, turning the -type-wheels with them.</p> - -<p>The return of the segment racks D, cause the back of the latch-tooth -f¹, (<a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">see Fig. 8</a>) to engage the latch-tooth f, -of the latch bar E, camming it out of engagement with the keys so that -any key that has been set will return by means of its own spring. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BURROUGHS_PATENT1" src="images/i_p094a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="683" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BURROUGHS_PATENT2" src="images/i_p094b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="678" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Burroughs Patent No. 388,118</p> -</div> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="BURROUGHS" src="images/i_p095.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="280" /> - <p class="f120">Wm. S. Burroughs</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> -The total or accumulator numeral wheels are connectable with the type -or indicating wheels B, by an engaging and disengaging gear motion set -up by the combined action of the hand levers R and J, which first cause -such gear engagement, and then, through the return of the type wheels -to zero, turn the accumulator wheels, thus transferring the amount of -the item set upon the type wheels to the accumulator wheels.</p> - -<p>The specification claims the machine is intended for use by cashiers, -bank-tellers, and others, to record receipts or disbursements.</p> - -<p>It is also claimed in the specification that instead of the needle type -ordinary type may be used in combination with an inking ribbon if so desired.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Early efforts of Wm. S. Burroughs</i></div> - -<p>One of the next attempts to produce a recording-adder was made by Wm. -S. Burroughs, whose name sixteen years later was used to rename the -American Arithmometer Co., now known as the Burroughs Adding Machine Co.</p> - -<p>The first patent issued to Burroughs, No. 388116, under date of August -21, 1888, like the machine of Barbour and Baldwin, was designed to -record only the final result of calculation.</p> - -<p>On the same date, but of later application, another patent, No. 388118, -was issued to Burroughs which claimed to combine the recording of the -numerical items and the recording of the totals in one machine. Some of -the drawings of this patent have been reproduced. -(<a href="#BURROUGHS_PATENT1">See opposite page</a>.)</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Machine of Early Burroughs Patent</span></h3> - -<p>Referring to the <a href="#BURROUGHS_PATENT1">drawings of the Burroughs patent</a>, -it will be noted, that in outward form, the machine is similar to the Burroughs machine -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> -of today. To give a detailed description of the construction of the -machine of this Burroughs patent would make tedious reading and take -unnecessary space.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>General scheme of Burroughs’ first inventions</i></div> - -<p>The principle involved in the mechanism for recording the items is very -similar to that of the Pottin invention; the setting of the type wheels -being effected as in the Pottin machine by means of segment gears which -the depression of the keys serves to unlatch, and acts to gauge the -additive degree of their movement.</p> - -<p>Burroughs used the inking form of type proposed as an alternative by -Pottin in his patent specification instead of the needles shown in the -<a href="#POTTIN_PATENT1">Pottin drawings</a>.</p> - -<p>In the Burroughs patent, as in the Pottin, it will be noted that there -are two sets of wheels bearing figures, one set of which, marked J, -situated at the rear, are the type-wheels, and the other set, marked A, -at the front of the machine, are for the accumulation of the totals.</p> - -<p>For each denominational order of the type and total wheels, there -is provided an actuating segmental gear, consisting of a two-armed -segmental lever pivoted to the shaft C, and having the gear teeth of -its rear arm constantly in mesh with the pinion gear of the type-wheel -J, and the gear teeth of the forward arm normally presented to, but out -of mesh with the pinion gear of its total wheel A.</p> - -<p>Each of these denominational actuators or segment gears is provided -with a stop projection X², at the top end of its forward gear rack, -which serves as a means for interrupting the downward movement of -that end of the segment lever, and thus controls its movement as a -denominational actuator. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> - -<p>It will be noted that instead of the key-stems acting directly as a -stop for the denominational actuators, as in the Pottin invention, -Burroughs used a bell crank type of key lever and the stop-wire C¹ as -an intermediate means, and in this manner produced a flat keyboard more -practical for key manipulation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Brief description of machine of early Burroughs -patents</i></div> - -<p>The stop-wires C¹, as will be noted, are arranged to slide in slots -of the framework, and while normally not presented in the path of the -stop-projection X², of the denominational actuators, it may be observed -that by the depression of the proper key any one of them may be drawn -rearward and into the path of the stop projection X², of its related -actuator, and thus serve as a means to intercept the downward action of -the actuator.</p> - -<p>The denominational actuators in the Burroughs machine were not provided -with spring tension that would cause them to act as soon as unlatched -by depression of the keys as has been described in relation to the -Pottin invention.</p> - -<p>While the keys in the Burroughs machine, as in the Pottin invention, -served also to unlatch the denominational actuators in their respective -orders, no movement of the said actuators or type-wheels took place -until a secondary action was performed.</p> - -<p>The secondary action, or the operation of the hand lever, marked C⁵, -attached to the shaft C, on its initial or forward stroke dragged the -denominational actuators down by means of friction and thus set the -type-wheels, and by means claimed in the specification, brought about the -type impression to print the result of the key-setting or the item so set. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span></p> - -<p>The backward or rear stroke of the hand lever caused the accumulator or -total numeral wheels to be engaged and the item to be added to them.</p> - -<p>From this single lever action it will be noted that there is an -improvement shown over and above the Pottin invention in the fact that -but one lever motion is required; Pottin having provided two levers so -that in the event of error the operation of one lever would reset the -machine without performing any addition or printing.</p> - -<p>In the Burroughs invention, the motion of denominational actuators and -their type-wheels not being effected through depression of keys, as in -the Pottin machine, allowed any error in the setting up of an item to -be corrected by the resetting of the keys and relatching of the gears, -which it is claimed was provided for by operation of the lever marked -B⁷ (<a href="#BURROUGHS_PATENT1">Fig. 1 of the drawings</a>).</p> - -<p>As a means of supplying power to his denominational actuators, -Burroughs provided what may be called a universal actuator common to -all orders, composed of a rock-frame (arms D², loose on each end of -actuating shaft C, and having their outward ends rigidly connected by -the bar a⁹) and the arms E, fixed to each end of the shaft C.</p> - -<p>Projecting from the inside of each of the arms E, are two lugs, b¹ and -b³, which contact with the arms D² of the rock-frame as the shaft C is -rocked back and forth by its hand crank C⁵, and thus lower and raise -the rock-frame.</p> - -<p>The means employed to transmit the reciprocating action of the -universal actuator to such denominational actuators as may be unlatched -by key depression, consists of a series of spring-pressed arc-shaped -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> -levers D¹, pivoted to the rock-frame bar a⁹, which bear against a pin -b² fixed in the front arm of the denominational actuators.</p> - -<p>Each of the levers D¹, is provided with a notch y, which serves on -the downward action of the rock-frame to engage the pins b², of the -denominational actuators and draw down with them such actuators as have -been unlatched by key depression and to pass over the pins of such -actuators as have not been unlatched.</p> - -<p>When in the course of such downward movement the denominational -actuators are intercepted by the stop-wires C¹, the yielding spring -pressure of the levers D¹, allow the notches y, to slip over the pins -b², and leave the denominational actuators and their type-wheels set -for recording the item thus set up.</p> - -<p>The means provided for impression of the type is shown in other -drawings of a patent not reproduced here. The means provided consisted -of a universal platen, which, the specification states, serves to press -the ink-ribbon and paper against the type after all the figures of each -item were set.</p> - -<p>While Barbour, Baldwin and Pottin all used the universal platen to -print the collective setting of type represented in the items or -totals, as the case may be, each varied somewhat in detail. Baldwin -used a toggle to press the platen toward the type, while Burroughs used -a spring to press the platen against the type and a toggle to press it -away from the type.</p> - -<p>Burroughs claimed to have combined in his invention the printing of the -totals, with the printing of the items, each of which it has been shown -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span> -was claimed by the patentees of previous inventions but had not been -combined in one machine prior to the Burroughs attempt.</p> - -<p>The process for recording these totals in the Burroughs patent -consisted of utilizing the action of the total wheels during their -resetting or zeroizing movement to gauge the setting of the type-wheels.</p> - -<p>The specification shows that, during the downward motion or setting -of the denominational actuators, as they set the type wheels, the -numeral wheels are out of gear and receive no motion therefrom; and -that after the recording of each item and during the return motion of -denominational actuators, the numeral or total wheels are revolved -forward in their accumulative action of adding the items and thus -registering the total.</p> - -<p>Provision is made, however, when it is desired to print the totals, to -cause the totalizing wheels to enmesh with the denominational actuators -on their downward or setting movement, and for the unlatching of all -the racks so that by operating the hand lever C⁵, the downward action -of the racks will reverse the action of the totalizing wheels, which -will revolve backward until the zeros show at the visible reading -point, where they will be arrested by stops provided for that purpose. -By this method the forward rotation accumulated on each wheel will, -through the reverse action of zeroizing, give a like degree of action -to the type-wheels through the denominational actuators. Thus the -registration of the total wheels, it is claimed, will be transferred -to the type-wheels and the record printed thereof as a footing to the -column of numerical items that have been added. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>All early arithmetical printing devices impractical</i></div> - -<p>To pass judgment on the recording machines of the patents that have -been described, from the invention of Barbour to that of Burroughs, -demands consideration, first, as to whether in any of the machines of -these patents the primary features of legible recording were present.</p> - -<p>The question as to operativeness respecting other features is of no -consideration until it is proven that the means disclosed for recording -was practical. As non-recording adding or calculating machines they -were not of a type that could compete with the more speedy key-driven -machines dealt with in the preceding chapters; therefore without -the capacity for legible recording, these patents must stand as -representing a nonentity or as statutory evidence of the ineffective -efforts of those who conceived the scheme of their make-up and attempted -to produce a recording-adding machine.</p> - -<p>Without the capacity for legible recording, of what avail is it that -the machine of one of these patents should disclose advantages over -another? It may be conceded that there are features set forth in the -Pottin and Burroughs patents that if operatively combined with legible -recording would disclose quite an advanced state of the Art at the time -they were patented. But credit for such an operative combination cannot -be given until it exists.</p> - -<p>There is no desire to question the ingenuity displayed by any of -these inventors, but in seeking the first practical recording-adding -or calculating machine we must first find an operative machine of -that type; one which will record in a practical and legible manner -regardless of its other qualifications. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Practical method for recording disclosed later</i></div> - -<p>The fact that the fundamental principle used for the impression of the -type in the practical recorder of today is not displayed in any of -these inventions, raises the question as to the effective operativeness -of the printing scheme disclosed in the patents of these early machines.</p> - -<p>In each of the four alleged recording-adding machine patents described, -it will be noted that the means employed for printing was that of -pressing the paper against the group of type by means of a universal -platen or plate.</p> - -<p>While with such a combination it may be possible to provide a set -pressure great enough to legibly print a numerical item or total having -eight to ten figures through an ink ribbon, it would not be practical -to use the same pressure to print a single-digit figure, as it would -cause the type to break through the paper. And yet in the numerical -items and totals that have to be recorded in machines of the class -under consideration, such wide variation is constantly encountered.</p> - -<p>We are all familiar with the typewriter and the legible printing it -produces. But suppose instead of printing each letter separately the -whole word should be printed at once by a single-key depression, -then, of course, single-letter words, such as the article “a” or the -pronoun “I” would also have to be printed by a single-key depression. -In this supposition we find a parallel of the requirements of a -recording-adding machine. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="LUDLUM_PATENT1" src="images/i_p104a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="681" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="LUDLUM_PATENT2" src="images/i_p104b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="693" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Drawings of Ludlum Patent No. 384,373</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Inoperative features of early recording mechanism</i></div> - -<p>If it were possible to so increase the leverage of the typewriter -keys enough to cause a word of ten letters to be printed as legibly -as a single letter is now printed, ten times the power would have -to be delivered at the type-head. Then think what would happen with -that same amount of power applied to print the letter “a,” or letter -“I.” You would not question that under such conditions the type would -break a hole in the paper. And yet the patentees of the said described -inventions wanted the public to believe that their inventions were -operative. But to be operative as recording-adding machines, they must -meet such variable conditions as described.</p> - -<p>It is useless to believe that a variation of from one to ten or more -type could be printed by a set amount of pressure through an ink-ribbon -and be legible under all circumstances.</p> - -<p>While the needle-type of Pottin may have printed the items legibly -enough for a cash register, it would not serve the purpose of a record -for universal use. The use of regular type and the inking ribbon -proposed in his specification would bring it within the inoperative -features named.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Ludlum Machine</span></h3> - -<p>In 1888, about two months prior to the issue of the Burroughs recording -machine patent just referred to, a patent was issued to A. C. Ludlum -for an adding and writing-machine. (<a href="#LUDLUM_PATENT1">See illustration on opposite page</a>.)</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Adding mechanism attached to typewriter</i></div> - -<p>It will be noted by <a href="#LUDLUM_PATENT1">reference to the drawings</a> -that the scheme is that of a typewriter with an adding mechanism attached.</p> - -<p>The details of the typewriter may be omitted, as most of us are -familiar with typewriters. A feature that differed from the regular -typewriter, however, was that the machine printed figures only and the -carriage operated in the opposite direction, thus printing from right -to left instead of left to right. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Ludlum machine</i></div> - -<p>A series of numeral wheels and their devices for the transfer of the -tens, designed to register the totals, are shown mounted in a shiftable -frame connected with the bar marked F, with the typewriter carriage, -and is claimed to move therewith.</p> - -<p>Each numeral wheel is provided with a gear marked G, which, as the -carriage moves after writing or printing each figure of the item, is -supposed to slide into mesh one at a time with an adding gear marked -H, the engagement taking place from right to left. Or beginning with -the right or units numeral wheel a higher order numeral wheel gear is -supposed to shift through movement of the carriage into engagement with -the adding gear H, each time a key is depressed.</p> - -<p>The adding gear H, is supposed to receive varying degrees of rotation -from the keys according to their numerical marking and to rotate the -numeral wheel with which it happens to be engaged, a corresponding -number of its ten marked points of registration.</p> - -<p>Between the adding gear H, and the keys which act to drive it, is a -ratchet and gear device consisting of the ratchet pawl pivoted to the -adding gear H, the ratchet I⁶, and its pinion gear, the segment gear -I² fast to the rock shaft I, the nine arms I¹ fast to the rock shaft -and the pins I², which are arranged in the key levers to contact with -and depress the arms I¹ of the rock shaft varying distances, according -to the value of the key depressed. That is, supposing that the full -throw of the key-lever was required to actuate the rock shaft with its -gear and ratchet connection to give nine-tenths of a revolution to the -numeral wheel in adding the digit nine, the pin I² in the (9) key-lever -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span> -would in that case be in contact with its arm I¹, of the rock shaft, -but the pins I², of each of the other key levers would be arranged to -allow lost motion before the pin should engage its arm I¹ of the rock -shaft, in accordance with the difference of their adding value.</p> - -<p>According to the specification, Ludlum evidently had the idea that he -could stop the adding gear H, while under the high rate of speed it -would receive from a quick depression of a key, by jabbing the detent -J between the fine spacing of the gear teeth shown in his drawing. -But to those familiar with the possibility of such stop devices, its -inoperativeness will be obvious; not that the principle properly -applied would not work, for its application by Felt prior to that of -Ludlum proved the possibilities of this method of gauging additive -actuation.</p> - -<p>The detent lever J, <a href="#LUDLUM_PATENT1">as shown in the drawings</a>, -is operated by the hinged plate D, through action of the key levers, -as any one of them are depressed.</p> - -<p>Under depression of a key, the hinged plate D, being carried down with -it, engages the arm J³ of the detent and throws the tooth at its upper -end into the teeth of the gear H.</p> - -<p>The timing of the entry of the tooth of the detent is supposed to be -gauged to enter the right tooth, but as the action of these parts is -fast, slow or medium at the will of the operator, considerable time -must be allowed for variation in the entry of the detent tooth, which -requires space, as certain parts will fly ahead under the sudden impact -they may receive from a quick stroke, where they would not under a slow -stroke, but no allowance was provided for such contingency. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p> - -<p>The means provided for the carry of the tens consist of the gears G⁹, -meshing with the numeral wheel gears and the single gear tooth g⁹, -attached to it, which, at each revolution of the lower wheel, as it -passes from 9 to 0, engages the gear of the numeral wheel of higher -denomination and was supposed to turn the higher gear one-tenth of a -revolution, thus registering one greater.</p> - -<p>On account of the Gears G⁹, of one order and the gear tooth g⁹, of -another order operating on the same numeral wheel gear, the transfer -gears are arranged alternately on separate shafts, one at the side and -one below the numeral wheels.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Ludlum machine inoperative</i></div> - -<p>The mechanical scheme disclosed in the Ludlum patent, to the -unsophisticated may seem to be operative. But to those familiar with -the Art of key-driven adding mechanism it will at once be obvious that -even if the typewriter feature was constructed properly the possibility -of correctly adding the items as they were printed was absolutely impossible.</p> - -<p>Laying aside several other features of inoperativeness, obvious to -those who know such mechanism, the reader, although not versed in the -Art of key-driven adding mechanism, will observe from the preceding -chapter, that the means provided for transferring the tens without -any control for the numeral wheels against over-rotation, would make -correct addition impossible.</p> - -<p>The drawings and specification of the Ludlum patent disclose a mere -dream and show that they were not copied from the make-up of an -operative machine.</p> - -<p>It was a daring scheme and one that none but a dreamer would undertake -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span> -to construct in the method shown. There have in later years been some -successful ten-key recording machines made and sold, but they were of a -very different design and principle.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">There have also been several adding attachments -made and sold that could be adjusted to a regular commercial typewriter -that are claimed to be dependable, but none of these machines were -early enough to be claimed as the first operative recording-adding -machine, or the first adding machine in which the principle used for -the legible recording of the numerical items used in the machines of -today may be found. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p049.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="149" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak"><span class="smcap">First Practical Recorders</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">The</span></big> -fact that Barbour, Baldwin, Pottin, Ludlum and Burroughs attempted -to produce a recording-adding machine shows that as far back as 1872, -and at periods down to 1888, there was at least in the minds of these -men a conception of the usefulness of such a machine, and the fact that -there were five with the same thought is fairly good evidence of the -need for a machine of this class.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Burroughs a bank clerk</i></div> - -<p>In some of the human-interest articles issued through the advertising -department of the Burroughs Adding Machine Co. it is stated that -Wm. Seward Burroughs was a bank clerk prior to his efforts at -adding machine construction. It is conceivable, therefore, that his -first efforts at adding machine invention should be directed toward the -production of a machine that would be of service in the bank for the -bringing together of the loose items of account that are to be found in -the form of checks, drafts, and the like, by printing a record of the -items and their totals during the process of adding them together.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt interested in recorder Art</i></div> - -<p>It is not surprising, therefore, that a manufacturer of a successful -calculating machine should, through his contact with the trade, come -to the conclusion that there was use for a machine of this class -in the banks. As proof of this, we find that an application for a -recording-adding machine patent was filed January 19, 1888, by D. E. -Felt, which was allowed and issued June 11, 1889. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FELT_PATENT3" src="images/i_p112a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="683" /> - <img id="FELT_PATENT4" src="images/i_p112b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="681" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 405,024</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt’s first recording machine</i></div> - -<p>Some of the drawings of this patent will be found <a href="#FELT_PATENT3">reproduced -on the opposite page</a>, from which the reader will note that Felt combined -his scheme for recording with the mechanism of the machine he was then -manufacturing and selling under the trade name of “Comptometer.”</p> - -<p>In this patent is shown the first application of the type sector -combined with the individual type impression for printing the figures -of the items as they were added, thus giving equal impression, whether -there were one or a dozen figures in the item or total to be printed.</p> - -<p>While the average mechanical engineer would not at a glance recognize -any great advantage in placing the type figures directly on the sector -instead of using the type-wheel and segment gear to drive it, as shown -in two of the previously described patents, there is plenty of evidence -of its advantage in the fact that all the later successful inventors -have followed the Felt scheme. It provided more simple construction for -the narrow space these parts must occupy for practical linear spacing.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Fell recording mechanism combined with his calculating -machine</i></div> - -<p>As the adding mechanism of this machine corresponds to that of the Felt -patent 371,496, previously described in the preceding chapter, it is -not necessary to duplicate the description here. Suffice it to say, -that by the depression of a key in any order, the value of that key is -added to the numeral wheel of that order, and if the figure added is -great enough when added to that previously registered on the wheel, a -ten will be transferred to the higher wheel by a carrying mechanism -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> -specially provided to allow the said higher wheel being in turn -operated by an ordinal series of keys, thus providing the means whereby -a series of denominational orders of key-driven adding mechanism may be -interoperative.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Felt’s first recorder</i></div> - -<p>In <a href="#FELT_PATENT4">Fig. 2 of the drawings</a> is shown the result -of striking the (8) key, which may be considered illustrative of such -action in any order, whether units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.</p> - -<p>The depression of the (8) key is shown to have carried the lever D down -eight of its nine additive points of movement, causing the plunger 15, -bearing against its upper edge, to drop with it under the action of the -plunger spring 17.</p> - -<p>To the upper end of this plunger, is pivotally attached an arm of -the type sector U, which is in turn pivoted to the rod y, and by -the lowering of the plunger 15, is rocked on its pivot, raising the -type-head until the number (8) type is presented opposite the printing -bar or platen T, which is hung on the pivot arms T¹, so that it may be -swung forward and backward.</p> - -<p>An ink-ribbon w, and its shifting mechanism is provided, as shown in -<a href="#FELT_PATENT3">Fig. 1</a>; the paper v, is supplied in ribbon -form from a roll and passes between the ink-ribbon and the platen T.</p> - -<p>Normally, the platen, the paper and the ink-ribbon are in a retracted -position, allowing space for the type sector to raise and lower freely. -But, as shown in <a href="#FELT_PATENT4">Fig. 2</a>, a type impression is -taking place through the escapement of the cam wheel R¹ which is -located back of the platen, and which, as shown, has forced the cam -lever 1 forward, pressing the spring p, against the platen T, thus -forcing the paper and ribbon forward against the type, and printing the -figure 8. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> - -<p>After the cam-tooth passes, the platen, paper, ink-ribbon and spring -return to normal, allowing the type sector freedom to drop when the key -is released.</p> - -<p>The cam wheel R is propelled by a spring S (<a href="#FELT_PATENT3">Fig. 1</a>), -wound by the hand-knob S³, and is released for action through the escapement -of the pallet wheel R attached to the cam wheel R and the pallet c.</p> - -<p>The pallet c is tripped each time a key is depressed and is shown in -the tripped position operated by the link P and the plural-armed lever -O, N, which through its manifold arms N, may receive action through -pins a, of any of the rock bars L, as they are depressed by the keys.</p> - -<p>The cycle of action described takes place with every key depressed, -except that the movement of the type sector varies according to the key -depressed.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First individualized type impression combined with -printing sector</i></div> - -<p>As the printing in this Felt invention was by individualized type -impression, legibility of recording as well as accurate addition was -obtained. Although this patent shows that Felt had produced such an -operative combination, there are two features in this patent which -would prevent its becoming a marketable machine.</p> - -<p>One of these features was that of having to wind the motor spring that -furnished power for the type impression. The other feature was that -there was no provision for printing the ciphers. Although the ciphers -were always omitted from the keyboard of non-recording adders, as they -could perform no function in addition or other forms of calculation, -they could not without inconvenience, be eliminated from items in recording. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Second Felt Recorder</span></h3> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First practical arithmetical recorder</i></div> - -<p>While the last-described Felt patent was still pending, Felt improved -his mechanism for recording, installing new features and eliminating -the objectionable features referred to. These improvements were of -such a satisfactory nature that the Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co. made -twenty-five recording-adders, with the new features, which were sold to -various banks. The first of these machines was placed on trial with the -Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa., in December -of 1889.</p> - -<p>Good evidence of the practical features of this machine was set forth -in a testimonial given at the time by W. A. Shaw, the cashier of the -bank, after it had been given a six months’ test. This <a href="#TESTI3">testimonial</a> -is extant and has been reproduced on opposite page.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The first sale of a recording-adding machine on -record</i></div> - -<p>Records show that the bank purchased that “Comptograph,” which was the -trade name given the Felt recording-adder, and used it until 1899, at -which time this machine, along with others of the same make purchased -at a later date, were replaced by the bank with “Comptographs” of more -modern type.</p> - -<p>This Felt recording machine was without question the first practical -recording-adding machine ever sold that would produce legible printed -records of items and totals under the variable conditions that have to -be met in such a class of recording. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="TESTI3" src="images/i_p117.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="557" /> - <p class="f120">Testimonial</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FELT_MACHINE" src="images/i_p118.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="624" /> - <p class="f120">Felt Recording and Listing Machine.</p> - <p class="center">Purchased and Used for Ten Years by the<br /> Merchants & - Manufacturers Bank of Pittsburgh, Pa.</p> - <p class="center space-below2">Machine is now in the National Museum at Washington</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> -After ten years of service this first practical recording-adding -machine was still in excellent condition, and in 1907 was secured -by the Comptograph Co. from the Bank of Pittsburgh, into which the -Merchants & Manufacturers National Bank, along with other banks, -had been merged. It was finally procured by Mr. Felt and presented to -the National Museum of Washington, D. C., where it may now be found -on exhibit along with other inventions produced by Felt. -A <a href="#FELT_MACHINE">photo reproduction of this machine</a> -as it appeared before it was presented to the Museum, is shown -on the opposite page.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Features of first practical recorder</i></div> - -<p>Like the machine of the first Felt recorder patent, it was a visible -printer, each figure being printed as the key was depressed, the paper -being shifted by the hand lever shown at the right.</p> - -<p>Unlike the former machine, however, the operator was not called upon to -perform the extra operation of winding up a spring to furnish power for -the printing.</p> - -<p>Power for the printing was stored by the action of the paper -shift-lever and an entirely different printing device was used. -Provision for printing the ciphers automatically was also a feature of -this machine. It was not necessary to operate cipher keys, and there -were no such keys to be operated. To print an item having ciphers in -it required only the omission of the ciphers as the ciphers would -automatically fill in.</p> - -<p>The arrangement of the paper shows a good improvement over the first -machine, as it was more accessible, being fed from a roll at the top -down and around rolls below and looped back so that it is moved upward -on the printed surface, where it may be torn off as desired.</p> - -<p>The mechanism of this machine is not illustrated in any one patent. The -Felt patents Nos. 441,233 and 465,255 cover the new feature, but the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> -later patent, No. 465,255, shows it best. Some of the drawings of -the last-named patent are <a href="#FELT_PATENT5">reproduced on the opposite page</a> -to help in explanation of the details of the new features.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Felt’s second recorder</i></div> - -<p>By referring to the <a href="#FELT_PATENT5">drawings</a>, it -will be noted that the form of the front of the casing differs from -the machine. Other drawings of the patent, not shown here, disclose -features of still later invention than were in the machine of the -<a href="#FELT_MACHINE">photo reproduction</a>. But it is with the -printing device that we are now interested, and it was in this patent -that it was first shown in the form used in the first marketed machine -referred to.</p> - -<p>The type sector marked 81 is like that of the first patent, except that -it is provided with the ciphers as well as the nine digits.</p> - -<p>The cipher type are always presented for printing when the sectors -are resting at normal. Thus, if an impression can be made without -depressing the keys in that order, a cipher will be printed, as will be -shown later.</p> - -<p>Back of the paper and pivoted to the rod 97, are a series of printing -hammers 87, one for each type sector.</p> - -<p>The hammers are operated by the spring 88, and are shown retained -against the tension of their springs by the trigger latches 89.</p> - -<p>These trigger latches are pivoted on the fixed shaft 171ᵃ, and actuated -by the springs 92 to cause their engagement with the notch 90 of the -printing hammers. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FELT_PATENT5" src="images/i_p121.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="741" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Felt Patent No. 465,255</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span> -Each of the trigger latches are provided with a laterally extending lug -93, formed on their lower arm, and each lug overlaps the back of the -lower arm of the adjacent trigger latch to the right of it, so that if -any trigger latch should be operated so as to extricate it from the -notch 50 of its printing hammer, its overlapping lug 93, would cause a -like action of the trigger latch to the right of that, and so on; thus -releasing all the trigger latches to the right of the latch originally -released. Such releasing, of course, allowed the printing-hammers 87, -to spring forward in all the orders so affected.</p> - -<p>The long-stop actuating lever marked 16, corresponds with the lever -G of the Felt key-driven calculator shown in a preceding chapter, -and performs the same function as the rock bars L of the first Felt -recorder patent. These stop levers 16 are pivoted at 17, and are -provided with rear arms 86, extending upward with their ends opposite -the lateral extending lug 93, of the trigger latch, which corresponds -to the order of keys which the lever 16 serves.</p> - -<p>In the rear upwardly-extending end of each of these levers 16, an -adjusting screw 91, is provided as a tappet for tripping the trigger -latch corresponding to its order.</p> - -<p>From the above-described combination of mechanism, it may be seen that -if a key in any order is depressed, it will, as it comes in contact -with the stop lever 16, not only cause the adding mechanism to be -stopped through the stop 19, but it will also, through its rear arm -86, cause the trigger latch of its order to trip, and likewise all the -trigger latches and printing-hammers to the right, thus printing the -figure presented on the printing sector in the order in which the key -was operated and the ciphers in the orders to the right in case the -keys in the order to the right have not previously been operated. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p> - -<p>The individual presentation of the type figures upon key depression, -except for the ciphers which were normally presented for printing, -required that in striking the keys, to give correct recording of the -items, the operation must be from right to left. That is, for example, -if the item to be added was $740.85, the operator would depress the (5) -key in the units cents column, the (8) key in the tens of cents column; -the cipher in the units dollars column would be omitted, the (4) key in -the tens of dollars, and the (7) key in the hundreds of dollars column -would be struck.</p> - -<p>The printing hammers were provided with means for resetting after being -tripped in the recording action. This means is connected with the paper -shift-lever, so that as the paper was shifted or fed upward, ready -for recording the next item, the printing-hammers were all reset and -latched on their respective trigger latches, ready for a new item.</p> - -<p>Fixed to the shaft 97, on which the printing-hammers are pivoted, is a -bail, marked 98, part of which is shown in the drawing, the horizontal -bar of which normally lies under and out of the way of the hammers as -they plunge forward in printing. And attached to the right-hand end of -the shaft 97, is a crank arm connected by a link to the paper-shift -hand-lever, which may be seen on the right in the <a href="#FELT_MACHINE">photo -reproduction of the machine</a>. This connection is arranged so that depressing -the lever causes the shaft 97 to rock the bail 98 rearward, thus picking up any -tripped printing-hammers and relatching them.</p> - -<p>The totals had to be printed, as in the first-described Felt recorder, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> -by depressing a key corresponding in value to the figure showing on the -wheel in each order.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt principle of printing adopted by all manufacturers -of recorders</i></div> - -<p>The principle involved in the individual hammer-blow, combined with -the ordinal type sector for recording in a recording-adder was new, -and was the feature that has made the adding-recording machine of -today possible, as is well in evidence by the presence of this -combination in all the recorders that have been made by the successful -manufacturers of listing or recording-adding and calculating machines. -Some manufacturers have substituted a vertical moving type bar for the -pivoted sector, but the scheme is the same, as the purpose is to get -the arrangement of the type in columnar order, and does not change the -fundamental features of the combination which furnished the practical -means for the individual type impression.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Felt Tabulator</span></h3> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Wide paper carriage for tabulating</i></div> - -<p>The next feature in the Art, that has served in the make-up of the -up-to-date recorders, was the wide paper-carriage. This feature will -probably be recognized by many as a means supplied for the recording of -columns of items in series on sheet-paper.</p> - -<p>As will be noted, roll-paper in ribbon form had been used in all the -previously illustrated and described recorders. While the Ludlum -patent shows a carriage, it had no capacity for handling more than a -single column of numerical items. The carriage in the Ludlum machine -was a feature necessary to the typewriter construction and offered no -solution to the feature of tabulating. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p> - -<p> <span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="FELT_TABULATOR" src="images/i_p126.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="386" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Felt Tabulator</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The wide paper carriage machine</i></div> - -<p>The first disclosure of the wide carriage feature for tabulating was -in a machine made by D. E. Felt in 1889, which he exhibited to the -U. S. Census Bureau at Washington, D. C., in 1890. The machine was -also exhibited at the World’s Fair in Chicago, in 1893, along with -other products in this line of the Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co. -A <a href="#FELT_TABULATOR">photo reproduction</a> of this machine -is shown on opposite page.</p> - -<p>The machine was left at the Census Bureau, where it was used for -several weeks, and was very much liked. Felt made a contract to furnish -ten machines of this type, and the machine was recommended for purchase -by G. K. Holmes, Special Agent of the Census Bureau, but like many other -government department requisitions, the purchase order was never issued.</p> - -<p>Although this feature is now found in all first-class recording-adders, -the recording machine Art was too new in 1890 for the new feature to be -appreciated, and was not pushed, as there seemed to be no demand for -the wide carriage then. On this account Felt delayed applying for a -patent on his invention until 1899.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Litigation on tabulator patents</i></div> - -<p>In 1904 a license under the patent was granted the Burroughs Adding -Machine Co., but soon after the granting of the license another -manufacturer of recording-adders brought out a machine with a -wide carriage, which was the start of a series of long-drawn-out -infringement suits. The fact that Felt had delayed taking out his -patent formed the grounds on which the Court finally decided that Felt, -from lack of diligence in applying for a patent, had abandoned his -invention, which made it public property.</p> - -<p>The tags which may be seen tied to the carriage of the machine are the -official tags used to identify it as a court exhibit during the long -term of years the suits were pending in litigation. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p> - -<p>Outside of the tabulating scheme, the machine was in other respects the -same as the recorder just described as the roll-paper “Comptograph.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>“Cross Tabulating”</i></div> - -<p>The paper, as may be noted, is held in a shiftable carriage and is -operated by two levers, one to feed the paper vertically and reset the -printing-hammers, while the other moved the carriage laterally for the -spacing of the columns of items or the cross-printing when desired. -Besides the lever action for shifting and paper-feeding, means were -provided on the right-hand end of the carriage for performing these -functions; one of these is the thumb knob which served to feed the -sheet of paper into the rolls; the other is a small lever which allows -the operator to shift the carriage by hand independent of the carriage -shift-lever.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Third Felt Recorder</span></h3> - -<p>While the first lot of recording-adders manufactured by Felt were -wholly practical, as was well proved by the statements of those who -purchased them, it is easy to pick out features in their make-up that -today, when compared with the new highly-developed Art, would seem to -make them impractical.</p> - -<p>The necessity of operating from right to left and the necessity of -printing the totals by key depression were features that, in view of -there being nothing better in those days, did not seem objectionable to -those who used them. They were features, however, that Felt overcame -and eliminated in the next lot of machines manufactured and placed on -the market in 1890. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span></p> - -<p> <span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <p class="f120">FELT'S COMPTOGRAPH</p> - <img id="FELT_COMPTOGRAPH" src="images/i_p130.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="652" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">One of the Early “Comptographs”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span> -This lot of machines, one hundred in number (a goodly number in those -days), were equipped with a special hand-knob in front on the left side -for automatically printing the totals, and with means by which the -ciphers were printed only on operation of the paper shift-lever, which -allowed the operator to depress the keys from left to right or any way -he pleased.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt recorder in “Engineering” of London, Eng.</i></div> - -<p>The best evidence as to what these machines looked like is to be found -in the <a href="#FELT_COMPTOGRAPH">reproduction on the opposite page</a> -of an illustration which appeared in “Engineering” of London, in 1891.</p> - -<p>It will be noted that the patent drawings of the Felt calculator are -also displayed. They were used to describe the adding mechanism of the -recorder.</p> - -<p>The total printing device is shown and described in patent No. -465,255, while the patent for the printing of the ciphers by the hand -shift-lever was not applied for until 1904.</p> - -<p>It may be argued, and argued true, that these two later features in -their generic application to the recording-adding machine Art were -anticipated by Burroughs in his invention herein previously described. -But, assuming that these features were operative features in the -Burroughs machine, they could not be claimed in combination with a -printing mechanism that was operative to give practical results and in -themselves did not make the recording-adder possible. Nor was the means -shown for recording the totals of use except with means for legible recording.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Total recording a Felt combination</i><br /> -<br /><i>Legible listing of items and automatic recording of -totals first achieved by Felt</i></div> - -<p>There is no desire to discredit what Burroughs did, but let the credit -for what Burroughs accomplished come into its own, in accordance with -the chronological order in which it may be proved that Burroughs -really produced a machine that had a practical and legible recording -mechanism. Then we will find that to produce such proof we must accept -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span> -the fact that in all the successful recording machines manufactured and -sold by the Burroughs Adding Machine Co., the printing type-sector, the -printing type-hammers and the overlapping hammer-triggers with their -broad functioning features forming a part of Felt’s invention, have -been used to produce legible recording, and that the combination of -practical total printing was dependent on Felt’s achievement.</p> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="LIEBNITZ" src="images/i_p132.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="256" /> - <p class="f120">Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz</p> -</div> - -<p>We might say that broadly Burroughs invented means that could be worked -in combination with the Felt printing scheme to automatically print the -totals, which is in evidence in all the practical machines put out by -the Burroughs Co.</p> - -<p>But such a combination was first produced by Felt in 1890, and was not -produced by Burroughs until 1892.</p> - -<p>As has been shown, Felt built his recording scheme into his key-driven -calculating machine, and added the paper shifting-lever to furnish the -power which was utilized finally for setting the printing-hammers and -tripping them for the ciphers.</p> - -<p>Such a combination divided the work, but made a two-motion machine, -whereas the adding mechanism was designed on the one-motion principle. -Now the principle of the two-motion machine was old, very old. The -great Gottfried Leibnitz invented the first two-motion calculator in -1694. (<a href="#LIEBNITZ_CALCULATOR">See illustration on opposite page</a>.)</p> - -<p>The Leibnitz machine was a wonderful invention and there seems to be a -question as to its operativeness. As a feature of historic interest, -however, it created considerable commotion in scientific circles when -exhibited to the Royal Society of London. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span></p> - -<p> <span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="LIEBNITZ_CALCULATOR" src="images/i_p133.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="395" /> - <p class="f120">Leibnitz Calculator, made in 1694</p> - <p class="center space-below2">The First Two-Motion Machine Designed to<br /> Compute Multiplication by - Repeated Addition</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> -The first really practical machine of this type, however, was invented -by a Frenchman named Charles Xavier Thomas, in 1820, and has since -become known as the “Thomas Arithmometre.”</p> - -<p>The Thomas machine is made and sold by a number of different foreign -manufacturers, and is used to a considerable extent in Europe and to a -limited extent in the United States.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The key-set principle more practical for recorders</i></div> - -<p>But two-motion calculators, from Leibnitz down to date, have always -been constructed so that the primary or first action involved merely -the setting of the controlling devices and performed no function in the -supplying of power to operate the mechanism which does the adding. With -such machines the load was thrown on to the secondary action.</p> - -<p>This, of course, made the primary action of setting, a very light -action, especially when keys came into use, and as there are several -key depressions to each secondary or crank action, it may be understood -that while the action of Felt’s printing or paper shift-lever was -light, the action of the keys which were called upon to perform most -of the work was much harder than it would have been if his adding -mechanism had been designed on the key-set crank-operated plan of -the regular two-motion machine such as illustrated in the Pottin or -Burroughs patents described.</p> - -<p>Thus, when Burroughs applied the Felt recording principle to his -key-set crank-operated adding mechanism, he produced a type of -recording machine which proved to be more acceptable from an operative -standpoint than the recorder made by Felt; and yet the writer has read -testimonials given by those who had both the Felt key-driven recorder -and the Burroughs key-set crank-operated recorders, who claimed they -could see no advantage. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BURR_PATENT1" src="images/i_p136a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="685" /> - <img id="BURR_PATENT2" src="images/i_p136b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="676" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Burroughs’ Patents - Nos. 504,963<br /> and 505,078</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span> -Probably the best proof lies in the fact that Felt finally abandoned -the key-driven feature in his recorders, as may be noted from the -later-day “Comptograph.”</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The First Practical<br /> Burroughs Recorder</span></h3> - -<p>The first Burroughs patent to show the successful combination referred -to was No. 504,963, applied for May 5, 1892, and issued September 12, -1893. The printing scheme, however, while indicated in the said patent, -was applied for in a divisional patent, No. 505,078, issued on the same -date. <a href="#BURR_PATENT1">Drawings</a> from both these patents are -shown on opposite page.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of first practical Burroughs recorder</i></div> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="BURROUGHS_RECORDER" src="images/i_p137.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="212" /> - <p class="f120">Burroughs Recorder</p> -</div> - -<p>The new printing device, as will be noted, instead of operating at -the bottom of the machine, operates at the rear and prints the paper -against a roll mounted outside of the casing.</p> - -<p>Outside of adopting the Felt method of printing, the general scheme -of construction used in the machine of the former-described Burroughs -patent was maintained, except that the levers D, used to drag the -denominational actuators down, were omitted, and a series of springs, -one for each actuator, was supplied to pull such levers down as are -released by key-depression when the common actuator drops under crank -action.</p> - -<p>Thus the description previously given will suffice for a general -understanding of the mechanical functions of the adding mechanism and -the general scheme for the setting up of the type in these later patents.</p> - -<p>The construction of the type sectors, the printing-hammers and the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span> -trigger-latches used to retain the hammers against the action of their -operating springs is best shown in the <a href="#BURR_PATENT1">drawings -of patent No. 505,078</a> on page 136. Fig. 1 shows the normal relation, -while Fig. 2 illustrates the same mechanism in the act of printing.</p> - -<p>The type sector as shown in <a href="#BURR_PATENT1">drawings of patent No. 505,078</a> -is marked K, while in the <a href="#BURR_PATENT2">drawings of No. 504,963</a> -it will be found marked 611ᵃ. They are formed from a continuation of -the denominational actuators for the total register in the same manner -that the type-wheel gear racks h, of the previously described Burroughs -patent were formed.</p> - -<p>The type u, are arranged on movable blocks marked 618, which are shown -held in their retracted or normal position by springs 682, but when -pressure is brought to bear against these type blocks in a direction -outward from the sector, the spring 682 will give and the type blocks -will slide outward in the slots provided to guide their action.</p> - -<p>The paper, as will be noted, is fed from a roll, up between the type -and the printing-roll 599, in the same manner as the paper of a -typewriter, and through the interposition of an ink-ribbon between the -type and the paper, the pressing of the type against the ink-ribbon, -paper and roll gives imprint.</p> - -<p>The pressure brought to bear on the type is through the hammer-blow -of the printing-hammers 715, of which there is one for each ordinal -printing sector. These hammers are pivoted to the rod 701, and -are spring-actuated through the medium of the pin 741, the lever -716, and spring 780, which, combined with the cam-slot w, in the -printing-hammers, serve to force the printing-hammers into the position -shown in <a href="#BURR_PATENT1">Fig. 2</a>. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p> - -<p>The printing-hammers are normally retracted and latched by a series -of trigger latches 117, through the latch-tooth b, which engages the -lever 716 at v.</p> - -<p>Each trigger-latch 117, is pivoted on the rod 700, and provided with -an overlapping lug as shown in <a href="#BURR_PATENT1">Fig. 4</a>. These -overlapping lugs, like those described on the trigger-latches in the -Felt patent, serve as an automatic means of filling in the ciphers in -the same manner as described in the Felt machine.</p> - -<p>The means for tripping the overlapping trigger latches naturally -differed from the means shown in the Felt machine, as the Burroughs -machine was not key-driven.</p> - -<p>A very ingenious means for the tripping of the trigger-latches is -shown, consisting of the dogs 718, and rock-frame 711, and tie-rods -703-704, which co-operate with a cam-shoulder y on the arm of the -printing-sectors, to remain neutral or to disengage the trigger-latches -through a reciprocating action, shown in dotted lines in -<a href="#BURR_PATENT1">Fig. 1, patent No. 505,078</a>.</p> - -<p>The tripping action takes place at the end of the forward motion of the -actuating hand-crank through connections not shown in the drawings.</p> - -<p>It may be understood that on account of the overlapping of the -trigger-latches of the printing-hammers that if, as described in -relation to the Felt recording-machine, one of the trigger-latches in -any order to the left of the units order should be tripped, it would -cause all the trigger-latches to the right to be also tripped, and the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span> -printing-hammers thus released to spring forward, giving an individual -hammer-blow for each type impression.</p> - -<p>Thus, if the five-hundred-dollar key should be depressed, only the -trigger latch in that order need be tripped. This is brought about -through the fact that normally the tripping-dogs 718 are held out -of tripping engagement by the cam surface y of the type-sector, as -the rock-frame in which the dogs are mounted is moved forward in its -tripping action. But as the hundred-dollar order type-sector has been -lifted through the setting of the (5) key in that order, it allows the -tripping-dog to engage the trigger-latch of that order, and through -the overlapping feature of the trigger-latches to trip and print the -ciphers to the right.</p> - -<p>It will be noted that the application of the printing-hammers varied in -detail from that of Felt much the same as placing the latch on the gate -post instead of on the gate. In the generic principle, however, the -individual hammer-blow for each individual impression was maintained.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Date of use of first practical Burroughs recorder</i></div> - -<p>There have been many conflicting statements made regarding the date of -the first Burroughs listing or recording machine, which is probably due -to the fact that the statements were not qualified by such terms as -“practically operative” or “legible recording.”</p> - -<p>Dates given as that of the first Burroughs recording machine range from -1884 to 1892. In a book published by the Burroughs Co. in 1912, under -the title of the “Book of the Burroughs,” there was a statement that -the first practical machines were made in 1891. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span></p> - -<p> <span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="OFFICE_MAG" src="images/i_p142.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="615" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From the February 1908 Issue of<br /> - Office Appliances Magazine</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> -H. B. Wyeth, at one time sales agent for the Burroughs Co., and -whose father was president of the company in 1891 and several years -thereafter, testified in court that the first sale of a Burroughs -recording machine was made about December, 1892. Corroboration of his -testimony is set forth in a Burroughs advertisement which appeared -in the February number of Office Appliances Magazine in 1908, a -<a href="#OFFICE_MAG">reproduction of which</a> is shown on the -opposite page.</p> - -<p>That Burroughs was experimenting as early as 1885 is no doubt correct; -and that in this respect he antidated Felt’s first attempt to produce a -recording-adder, is not questioned. But when it comes to the question -of who produced the first practical recording-adder, there is no room -for doubt in face of the evidence at hand.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p049.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="149" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">Introduction of the<br /> Modern Accounting Machine</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">As</span></big> -the reader has been carried along through the tangle of mechanical -efforts of the men who have racked their brains to produce means that -would relieve the burden of those who have to juggle with arithmetical -problems and masses of figures in the day’s accounting, there was one -phase of subject that has not been touched upon. While these inventors -were doing their best to benefit mankind and, without doubt, with the -thought of reaping a harvest for themselves, the public, who could have been -the prime beneficiary, did not hasten to avail themselves of the opportunity.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Opposition to the use of machines for accounting</i></div> - -<p>In the early days, when the key-driven calculator was marketed, and -later when the recording-adder was also placed on the market, the -efforts of the salesmen for each of these types of machines, in their -endeavor to interest possible purchasers, were met with anything but -enthusiasm. Of course, now and then a wide-awake businessman was -willing to be shown and would purchase, but ninety-nine out of the -hundred who really had use for a machine of either type could not at -that early date be awakened to the fact.</p> - -<p>Although the calculator and the recording-adder are indispensable -factors in business today, and have served to improve the lot of the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> -bookkeeper and those employed in expert accounting in general, they met -with very strong opposition for the first few years from employers of -this class. It was strongly evident that the efforts of book-keepers -and counting-house clerks to prevent these machines entering their -department were inspired by the fear that it would displace their -services and interfere with their chance of a livelihood.</p> - -<p>Again, men of this class, and even those in charge of large -departments, took the mere suggestion that they had use for a -calculator or recording-adder as an insult to their efficiency, and -would almost throw the salesman out. Others would very politely look -the machine over and tell the salesman what a wonderful machine it was, -but when asked to give the machine a trial, they would immediately back -up and say that they had absolutely no use for such a machine; whereas -possibly now the same department is using twenty-five to a hundred such -machines.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Banks more liberal in recognition</i></div> - -<p>Of the two classes of machines, the recording, or listing machines, as -they are commonly called, although a later product, were the first to -sell in quantities that may be called large sales. This was probably -due to the fact that they were largely sold to the banks, who have -always been more liberal in recognizing the advantages of labor-saving -devices than any other class of business.</p> - -<p>The presence of these machines in the bank also had a tendency to -influence business-men to install recorders where the key-driven -calculator would have given far greater results in quantity of work and -expense of operating. In these days, however, the average businessman is -alive to his requirements, and selects what is best suited to his -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span> -needs instead of being influenced by seeing a machine used by others -for an entirely different purpose. The theory of using the printed list -of items as a means of checking back has blown into a bubble and burst, -and the non-lister has come into its own, not but what there has always -been a good sale for these machines except for the first four years.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Improvements slow for first few years</i></div> - -<p>On account of the years it took to educate business into the use of -these two types of accounting machines, and the fact that the sales -of both were small at first, there were few improvements for several -years, as improvements depend upon prosperity.</p> - -<p>Such changes as have been made since were largely aimed at refinements, -but there are some very noteworthy features added to the performance of -both types of machines, which are explained and described in following -chapters, where the subject will be treated under the class of machines -they affect. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p076.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="140" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="HI-SPEED_CALC" src="images/i_p148.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="567" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">The High-Speed Calculator</p> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">The High-Speed Calculator</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">As</span></big> -previously stated, the calculating machine was old when Felt -improved the Art by combining the key-drive with a plurality of -co-operative orders of adding mechanism. The advantage in the machine -he produced existed in the great increase in rapid manipulation which -it offered over the older Art, especially in addition. To improve -upon Felt’s contribution to the Art of calculating machines from a -commercial standpoint demanded a combination that would give still -greater possibilities in rapid manipulation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt improvements on Comptometer</i></div> - -<p>The patent records show that Felt again came to the front and gave -to the public a new machine containing many new combinations of -highly-organized mechanism that produced the above-named result. The -patents showing these features are Nos. 762,520 and 762,521, the two -patents being divisional patents of the same machine.</p> - -<p>Although there were several patents on key-driven calculators issued -to others and a key-driven calculator placed on the market, which was sold -to some extent, none of these calculators offered anything that would -increase the possibility of more rapid manipulation than was to be had -from Felt’s old Comptometer.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Scientific distribution of functions</i></div> - -<p>There is one feature about the machine of these two divisional patents -which stands out very prominently to those acquainted with the fine -points of the physical laws of mechanics. It is a feature that was -not printed into the specifications. It may be found only in the time -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> -allowed for the mechanical movements to take place, which shows that -theoretical reasoning was the foundation for the distribution of the -functions in the machine of these patents into increments of time, and -that the arrangement of mechanism was especially designed to carry -out this primary theoretical reasoning. While it is obvious that such -procedure must accompany successful invention of mechanism, it is -seldom that we find such fineness displayed as may be found in the -timing of the mechanical functions of the later Comptometer.</p> - -<p>The force of the above statement may be realized by study of the -mechanical motions of the old Comptometer and then trying to improve -on them to attain greater speed of operation. Such a possibility would -depend on more rapid key-strokes.</p> - -<p>According to the physical laws of force and motion, to attain greater -speed of action demanded a decrease in resistance. Thus, less key -resistance must be attained to increase speed of operation.</p> - -<p>Felt probably knew from experience that lighter key action could not be -had by juggling with springs or by polished surfaces. He was also aware -of the infinitesimal space of time allotted to each function, as the -parts of the mechanism flew about in the merry dance they performed in -whirling the numeral wheels around while under the manipulation of an -expert operator. He couldn’t see the parts work—he could only theorize -when there was trouble; thus he alone knew the difficulties to be met -in attempting to make a more rapid calculator.</p> - -<p>To describe the mechanism of the new machine from drawings of these -patents would leave the reader still in the dark. What was really -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span> -accomplished can best be understood by reference to the mechanical -action in the old Comptometer.</p> - -<p>In order that the reader may understand the significance of what -was accomplished, let him consider this fact; that the key action -of the old “Comptometer” measured as high as eighty-six ounces to a -key depression, while in the new machine made under the two named -later patents the key depression was reduced to but twenty-two ounces -maximum, or a little over a fourth of the power required to operate the -keys of the old “Comptometer.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Power consumed by old carrying method</i></div> - -<p>Facts show that a very large part of the resistance met with in the key -depression of the old machine was caused by the high tension of the -springs which performed the carrying. This high tension was necessary -on account of the extremely small fraction of a second allowed for the -performance of their function of supplying the power that turned the -higher wheel in carrying.</p> - -<p>By referring to the description of the inoperative features of the Hill -machine (<a href="#Page_25">page 25</a>) a parallel example of the time for -the carry of the tens in the old Comptometer may be found, showing that but -a ¹/₁₆₅ of a second was the allowance.</p> - -<p>The carrying means employed in the old Comptometer consisted of levers -with dogs or pawls hinged on their free ends, which co-acted with the -ten pins of the higher numeral wheels to ratchet them forward a step at -a time. The power for supplying such ratcheting action, in the delivery of a -carry, was produced in a spring attached to the carrying-lever to actuate it. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Cam and lever carrying mechanism</i></div> - -<p>The means used to produce the power in the carrying-lever actuating -springs, or best termed carrying springs, was through the turning of an -envolute cam attached to the lower order numeral wheels, which, acting -upon an arm of the carrying levers, forced them away from the wheels, -and thus tensioned the carrying springs. The cam and lever is best -shown in <a href="#FELT_COMPTOGRAPH">Fig. 7, page 130</a>.</p> - -<p>The timing of the delivery of the carry, as the numeral wheel passed -from nine to zero, was brought about by the high point of the cam -passing from under the arm of the carrying lever, which, when released, -allowed the carrying springs to act and ratchet the higher wheel -forward a tenth of a revolution.</p> - -<p>This form of carrying action had a peculiarity of reaching a certain -set tension when three wheels were employed, so that for all the wheels -employed in greater numbers no higher tension was required and no lower -tension could be attained. Another feature about this type of transfer -device was the fact that to get the set tension as low as possible -required that at least eight-tenths of the rotation of the lower wheel -should be utilized in camming back the carrying lever or storing the -power for the carry. A decrease in this timing meant an increase in the -resistance offered in turning the lower wheel by the steeper incline -of the cam, and when the wheel in turn received a carry, the increase of -resistance increased the work of carrying, and so on by a geometric ratio.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>One-point carrying cam impossible</i></div> - -<p>In a recent patent suit, a physical test was made as high as three -orders with a one-point cam; that is, a cam operating to store power -during a one-tenth rotation of the lower wheel (not an uncommon -combination as shown in patents that have been issued), and it was -found that by the time the third carrying was reached the springs were -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> -so large and powerful that to turn the next wheel would require a -railway-coach spring, and that under the same ratio a fifty-four ton -hydraulic press would be required to depress the keys in the eighth order.</p> - -<p>The foregoing illustration of the idiosyncrasies of mechanical -construction offer a good example of why perpetual motion is not -possible, viz., that no mechanism was ever made that would not consume -a certain per cent of the power delivered to it, through friction -and inertia. Of course, expert knowledge of the physical laws of -mechanics allow of the application of force along the lines of least -resistance, and it is with this feature that the new improvements in -the Comptometer have to do.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Felt’s improved method of carrying</i></div> - -<p>It would seem that the old carrying means could not be improved upon -under the circumstances, but Felt conceived a means which gave more -time for the storage of power for the carry and all kinds of time for -its delivery, which decreased the power required for carrying by a -very large per cent. The means he devised was a motor-type of carrying -mechanism that could receive and deliver power at the same time without -interference. Thus the full revolution of the lower wheel could be -utilized in storage and the same amount of time could be consumed in -delivery if necessary, but it was never required.</p> - -<p>This tremendous reduction in power required to turn the higher wheel -in a carrying operation so decreased the resistance of turning the -numeral wheels that the former means used to control the wheels -during actuation was unsafe; that is, the old method of jabbing the -stop detent between the pins of the numeral wheel to stop it was not -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span> -dependable with the increased speed that the numeral wheels revolved, -under the reduced resistance.</p> - -<p>Again, the feature of time was at issue. The wheels could be whirled -at tremendous speed or at a very slow speed. A sudden jab at a key -with the finger sent the numeral wheels kiting ahead of the rest of -the mechanism so that the detent could not be depended upon to enter -between the right pins, which would result in erroneous calculation.</p> - -<p>In the new machine, we find that to overcome this unevenness of action, -Felt reversed the ratchet action of the denomination actuators, so -that no wheel action occurred on their down-stroke under the action -of the keys, but on the upstroke of the actuators the numeral wheels -were turned by the power of the actuator springs stored by the key -depression, thus giving an even set rotating action that could not be -forced and that could be controlled by a stop detent.</p> - -<p>As the timing of this stop-action was coincident with the stopping of -the actuators on their upstroke, the actuator was used to perform this -function in combination with a detent device that could be released from -the wheel independent of the actuators to allow a carry to be delivered.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Gauging and controlling prime actuation</i></div> - -<p>A feature worthy of note connected with this change is displayed in -the method in which Felt overcame the timing of the stop action of the -actuators in the downward action they received from the keys, which -would have been as hard to control as it was to control the wheels -under direct key action.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Alternating stop scheme</i></div> - -<p>The scheme he devised gave more than double the time to perform the -function of intercepting the lightning action with which the actuators -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span> -moved under a quick key-stroke. The scheme shows a dual alternating -stop-action constructed by the use of two stops acting at different -levels and co-acting alternately with five equi-spaced stop-shoulders -on the front end of the actuators, which were also arranged in -different levels.</p> - -<p>The two stops were actuated by the keys in a similar manner to the -single stop which co-operated with the pins of the wheel in the old -“Comptometer,” except that the odd keys operated one stop while the -even keys operated the other.</p> - -<p>Thus in the new “Comptometer” the (1) key acted to throw the higher -level stop into the path of the lowest stop-shoulder on the actuator, -and the (2) key acted to throw the lower level stop into the path of -the same stop-shoulder on the actuator. In the same manner the (3) -and (4) keys caused the odd and even stops to engage the next higher -stop-shoulder on the actuator and so on with the rest of the keys.</p> - -<p>As the spacing was doubled by the use of but five stop-shoulders, the -stops were allowed double the time for entry between the stop-shoulders -plus the space that the pin occupied as compared with former method, -which was considerably more than double the time allowed for the same -function in the old machine.</p> - -<p>Besides the redistribution of mechanical functions, another very -noteworthy feature is found in these patents which, in the specific -means disclosed, constituted another distribution of time for -mechanical action. This in the capacity of the machine was what has -become commercially known as the “Duplex” feature.</p> - -<p>In the old “Comptometer” it was necessary to operate the keys -alternately, as a carry from one order to a higher order might be -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span> -taking place and thus be lost in the action of the higher order wheel -while rotating under key-action.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Multiplex key action</i></div> - -<p>In the machine of the later patents the carry was delayed while the -higher-order wheel was under key-action. The construction shown -consisted of a latch operated by the actuators, which, when the -actuator was depressed, latched up the delivery end of the motor -carrying-device so that a carry due to take place at that time would -be intercepted until the actuator returned to normal again, at which -time the carrying motor device was again free to deliver the carry. -This feature allowed the striking of keys in several or all the orders -simultaneously, alternately, or any way the operator pleased, which was -a great improvement in speedy operativeness.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Control of the carry by the next higher actuator</i></div> - -<p>While the genus of this elastic keyboard invention consisted of control -of the carry by the next higher actuator, the specie of the generic -feature shown was the delayed control. The first production of this -generic feature of control of the carry by the next higher actuator -that gave the elastic keyboard-action is shown in the two Felt patents.</p> - -<p>It may be argued that this new keyboard feature was simultaneity of -key-action and that simultaneity of keyboard-action was old. True -it was old, but the flexible simultaneity was new and depended upon -individuality of ordinal control for its creation, and Felt created the -ordinal control that gave the flexible keyboard.</p> - -<p>Simultaneity of key-action was old in key-driven cash registers; such -invention as had been disclosed in this line, however, would defeat -the usefulness of simultaneity in a key-driven calculator. The useful -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span> -feature of depressing keys in several orders at once in a key-driven -calculating machine lay only in the increased speed of manipulation -that it could offer.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Forced simultaneous key-action old</i></div> - -<p>Now such simultaneous key-action as had been invented and used on -cash registers was not designed with the thought of increasing the -speed of manipulation in such machines. The simultaneity of the cash -register was designed to compel the operator to depress the keys, -which represented the amount of the purchase, exactly simultaneous; -otherwise, by manipulation the proper registration could be made to -show on the sight-register and a short amount on the total-register. -It was a device to keep the clerk or salesman straight and prevent -dishonesty.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Forced simultaneity applied to a calculator -impossible</i></div> - -<p>If you have ever watched an expert operator using a “Comptometer,” -try to imagine that operator hesitating to select a group of keys and -depressing them exactly simultaneously as one is compelled to do on one -of the key-driven cash registers. And then, on the other hand, if you -have ever seen a key-driven cash register operated, try to imagine its -being operated at the lightning speed at which the “Comptometer” is -operated.<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<p>It must be understood that the exact or forced simultaneity of the cash -register scheme, if applied to a calculating machine, would lock the -whole keyboard if one of any of a group of keys the operator wished to -strike was depressed ahead of the others, and would thus prevent the -rest of the group from being depressed until the return of the first key. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Flexible simultaneity of key-action a Felt invention</i></div> - -<p>It is within reason that a locking action of that character would -even defeat the speed of key-action that was possible on the old -“Comptometer,” since an operator could overlap the key strokes in -that machine to a certain extent; whereas the forced simultaneity of -the cash register, if applied to the “Comptometer,” would prevent any -overlapping or the depression of a second key until the first depressed -key returned.</p> - -<p>The only simultaneity of key-action that could provide a means of -speeding up the old “Comptometer,” or any machine of its type, was a -means that would leave key-depression free as to matter of time; one -that would be perfectly flexible in group manipulation, offering a complete -fluidity of motion such as not to hinder the fingering of the operator.</p> - -<p>The purpose of the mechanical means employed to give simultaneity in -the cash register was to lock all the keys depressed together and lock -all others against depression until the former returned. The purpose -of mechanical means employed in the Felt patent was to give perfect -freedom of key-action, whereas formerly the key manipulation of the -old “Comptometer” was restricted in the freedom of key-action, to the -extent of being limited to seriatum action.</p> - -<p>The above discussion has been somewhat elaborately detailed to offset -statements that simultaneity was old in the key-driven Art. There is -no question as to the cash register type of inflexible simultaneity of -action being old before Felt patented his flexible type of simultaneity -of key-action for a key-driven calculating machine; but any statement -intended to convey the idea that Felt’s contribution of the flexible -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span> -simultaneity of key-action to the Art was not new, must come from -ignorance of the facts or malice aforethought.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Duplex Comptometer</i></div> - -<p>This flexible keyboard “Comptometer” was given the trade name of -“Duplex Comptometer;” the term “Duplex” meaning that two keys could be -depressed, as distinguished from the seriatum one at a time key-action -formerly required. The term, however, fell short of setting forth the -capacity of such action, as it was, in fact, not restricted to mere -duplex-action—it was really a multiplex key-action having no limit -except the lack of fingers on the part of the operator to depress the keys.</p> - -<p>The validity of these patents has been sustained in litigation. The -technical scope of the mere claims has been disputed, as patent claims -sometimes are; but the broad newness and importance of the practical -calculative capacity achieved is beyond dispute. The recent machine -called the “Burroughs Calculator” has multiplex key-action, but it did -nothing to advance the practical capacity of key-driven calculating machines.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Introduction of full-stroke mechanism</i></div> - -<p>The operation of key-driven machines has always been attended more or -less with a feeling that a key-stroke may not have been completed, -especially by a novice in operating. Recognition of the possibility of -errors occurring through incomplete key-strokes in key-driven adding -mechanism was first disclosed as early as 1872 in the <a href="#ROBJOHN_PATENT">Robjohn patent -(see page 36)</a>, in which a full-stroke device is shown co-acting with the keys.</p> - -<p>In the drawings it will be noted that for each key there is provided a -ratchet device co-operating with the key to compel a full-stroke. This -scheme, like other similar later attempts, was aimed at the prevention -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span> -of an error in the operation of adding mechanism, but as a means of -prevention of an error it was lacking, because unless the operator -noticed that the key had not returned the next key depressed would, -through the action of the rotor, pull the partly depressed key way -down until it was released, when it would rise again, possibly without -the knowledge of the operator. There still remained the fact that the -occurrence of the error was not made known to the operator until it was -too late to correct it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Error signal keyboard</i></div> - -<p>That Felt was interested in the solution of the problem for detection -and correction of the errors in key-strokes is shown in the several -patents issued to him on features pertaining to this subject. After -numerous experiments Felt came to the conclusion that it was futile -to lock a key in event of a partial stroke and that the solution lay -in the locking of the keys in the other orders from that in which -the error had been made, thus signaling the operator and compelling -correction before further manipulation could be accomplished.</p> - -<p>Again we find, as with the simultaneity of key-action, that a question -may be raised as to the novelty of invention by those who wish to say -that there are full-stroke mechanisms in the key-driven cash register -Art that lock the rest of the keyboard. But the key-locks disclosed -in the cash register were directed to a continuity of stroke engroup, -as distinguished from the individualism necessary to the key-driven -calculator.</p> - -<p>The mechanical means employed, of course, varied greatly from that -which would be of any value in the calculating machine Art, and the -theoretical scheme was aimed at a widely different result. Flexibility -was necessary. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Locking of the other orders by a short key-stroke</i></div> - -<p>The feature sought by Felt for his calculator was a signal to the -operator that an error had been made—if an error should occur—and -to block the operation of any of the other orders until the error was -corrected. This he accomplished by causing all the other orders to be -locked against manipulation, through the occurrence of an error in a -key-stroke; thus preventing manipulation of another order until the -error was corrected.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Inactive keys locked during proper key-action in cash -register</i></div> - -<p>Now it may be said that the locking of other orders was old in the -cash register; but let us analyze the scheme and action of both. The -depression of a key of the key-driven cash register immediately locked -all other keys not depressed, and retained such locking-action during -depression and until the complete return of such key-depression; thus -the keyboard was locked, error or no error.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Inactive keys not locked during proper key-action in -“Comptometer”</i></div> - -<p>A correct depression of a key in Felt’s new invention, as applied to -key-driven calculators, does not lock the rest of the keys. In fact, no -key of Felt’s invention is locked until an error occurs.</p> - -<p>The lock of the key-driven cash register is a lock that takes effect -without an error having occurred—one that is always present with -respect to the keys not depressed simultaneously, and a feature -designed to force simultaneity of group key-action to prevent, as -before explained, dishonesty.</p> - -<p>The lock of the key-driven calculator inventions referred to are -in no way connected with simultaneous key-action—as in the cash -register—and never act to lock the other orders except when there is -an error in a key-stroke. As the writer has explained respecting the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span> -simultaneous feature of the cash register, the locking of the other -orders in the cash register interfered with the flexibility of the -key-action and for that reason would be impossible in a key-driven -calculator, where rapid manipulation is dependent on flexibility.</p> - -<p>The scheme of the new key-driven calculator inventions referred to, -were designed to allow perfect freedom of individual key-action and -to block such action only when an error in any individual key-stroke -should be made. There is nothing in common in the two schemes. The -time, purpose and mechanical means employed differ entirely.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">“<i>Controlled-key Comptometer</i>”</div> - -<p>This new idea of Felt’s is embodied in what is commercially known as -the “Controlled-key Duplex Comptometer.” The term “Controlled-key” was -coined to fit this broadly new combination, but a word coined to fit -the functions of a new mechanism is seldom enough to convey a complete -understanding of its true qualities.</p> - -<p>Aside from the broad newness of the Felt “Controlled-key” feature -referred to, even the mechanical means for safeguarding the individual -key-action was new in its application as a full-stroke device. The -means employed operated directly on the accumulator mechanism, locking -it against registration until the error was corrected, which differed -greatly from the devices applied to the keys or actuators designed by -others to bring about a similar result. But the locking of all the -other orders of mechanism, through any key-action short of a full -stroke, as a signal or error, has no mechanical equivalent or simile in -the Art.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">The Improved Recorder</h2> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>The mass of recorder inventions patented</i></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">Since</span></big> -the general installation of the recording-adder by the banks, -the minds of “get-rich-quick” inventors have been turned toward this -type of machine. The result has been that a vast number of patents -on such machines were issued, a large proportion of which represent -worthless and impossible mechanism purported by their inventors to -contain improvements on the Art. Some of these patents on alleged -improvements describe and purport to contain features, that, if really -made operative in an operative machine, would be useful to the public. -But as inventions, they merely illustrate the conceptions of a new -and useful feature that can never be of use to anyone until put into -concrete operative form.</p> - -<p>To describe these features would be useless, as they have not advanced -the Art; they merely act to retard its advancement through the patent -rights that are granted on the hatched-up inoperative devices or -mechanism purported to hold such features.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>But few of the recorder patents of value</i></div> - -<p>Of the vast number of patents issued, but few of the machines -represented therein have ever reached the market, and of these -machines, except those previously mentioned, there is little that -may be said respecting new elementary features that may be called an -advancement of the Art. It is to be expected, of course, that the -manufacturer of such machines will not hold the same opinion as the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span> -writer on this subject. But the fact that the generic principles of -recording the items and totals were worked out before they even thought -of constructing such a machine leaves little chance for anything -but specific features of construction for them to make that may be -considered new.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Reserve invention as good insurance</i></div> - -<p>Another feature to be considered in this line is that while these new -manufacturers were working out the “kinks” or fine adjustments, which -can only be determined after a considerable number of machines have -been put into service, the older manufacturers were working or had -worked out and held in reserve new improvements that were not obvious -to those new at the game.</p> - -<p>It is quite common for manufacturers to have a reserved stock of -improved features to draw from. In fact, such a stock is sometimes -the best insurance they have against being run out of business by a -competitor who places a machine on the market to undersell them. Of -course, all manufacturers believe they purvey the best and advise the -public relative to this point in their advertisements.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Erroneous advertising</i></div> - -<p>One manufacturer of a recording-adder, a much later invention than -either the Felt or Burroughs recorder, circulated some advertising -pamphlets once which contained a statement that their machine was the -first visible recorder. A <a href="#WALES">reproduction of this pamphlet</a> -is shown on the opposite page. The reader will at once recognize the -error in such a statement, as the first Felt recorder was a visible printer.</p> - -<p>The statement seems extremely peculiar after paying tribute to Felt -as the pioneer in the Art of adding machines. One would suppose that -having knowledge enough of the Art to offer such tribute would have -left them better advised on the subject of visible recording. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="WALES" src="images/i_p165.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="464" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">Two Pages from Booklet Issued by<br /> - Wales Adding Machine Co.</p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Error key</i></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span> -The first of the later improvements in the key-set crank-operated -recorder were made by Burroughs and consisted of the features which -formed a part of Burroughs patent No. 504,963 of 1893. One of these -features consisted of means provided in the shape of a special key -that when depressed would clear the key-setting, thus allowing of an -erroneous key-setting to be corrected by clearing and resetting the -correct item.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Sub-total</i></div> - -<p>Another feature was provision for printing a total at any time without -clearing the machine, thus allowing printing of what may be called a -sub-total, while the grand total is carried on to be printed later.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Repeat key</i></div> - -<p>The third feature consisted of means for repeated addition and -recording of the same item. The means provided consisted of a key, -which, if depressed after setting an item on the keys, would prevent -the keys from being cleared; thus by repeated operation of the -hand-crank the item set up would be printed and added repeatedly.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Locked keyboard</i></div> - -<p>The next feature was one of construction, as it was designed to -overcome the possibility of the setting of two keys in the same order, -by locking all the other keys in that order. The invention was shown -applied to the Burroughs machine, but was applied for by Wm. H. Pike -Jr., and was issued January 13, 1898.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Quick paper return</i></div> - -<p>In 1900 Felt perfected a quick paper return for his wide paper-carriage -and applied for a patent, which was issued March 11, 1902, the number -of which is 694,955. The feature was, that by operating a lever, it -served to return the paper after recording a column of items and -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span> -automatically shifted the carriage ready for the recording of another -column of items, thus facilitating speedy operation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Paper stop</i></div> - -<p>In March, 1902, a patent was allowed Felt on means to lock the -mechanism in a recorder when the paper was about to run out of the -rolls; a feature which, in tabulating, served as a check against the -paper running out of the rolls and prevented further operation until -the paper was shifted to commence a new column of items, thus insuring -the printing of each record on the paper which formerly depended upon -the vigilance of the operator.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Cross tabulating</i></div> - -<p>The next feature in the recording machine Art which shows a new -operative feature, that may be considered an improvement, is -cross tabulating. It consisted of means for horizontal tabulating or -recording across a sheet of paper as well as in vertical columns. While -this feature was for special use, it served to broaden the usefulness -of the recorder in bringing together classified balances by dates with -cross-added totals, and many other similar uses. This feature was the -invention of D. E. Felt, who applied for a patent April 29, 1901, which -was issued October 21, 1902; the patent number is 711,407.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Item stop</i></div> - -<p>Another special feature serving to broaden the usefulness of the -recording-adder was invented by Felt, and may be found in patent No. -780,272, applied for March 30, 1901, and issued January 17, 1905. This -feature was a device which controlled the printing of a predetermined -number of items which could be set by the operator, and which, when the -predetermined number had been printed, would lock the mechanism against -further action until the paper was shifted to print a new column. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Motor drive</i></div> - -<p>Prior to May 9, 1901, there is no record of any recording-adder having -been operated by electric motor drive. But on that date Frank C. Rinche -applied for a patent showing such a combination with the recorder, -which became commercially known as the Universal Accountant. The patent, -No. 726,803, was issued April 28, 1903, and is the first of a series issued -to Rinche on various combinations of mechanical driving connections.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Distinguishing marks for clear, totals and sub-totals</i></div> - -<p>A feature common to recording of added columns of numerical items is -the distinguishing characters for clear, sub-totals and totals by the -use of letters, stars and other marks. The first patent on anything -of this nature that has come into general use was applied for June 9, -1903, by A. Macauley, and was issued June 12, 1906. This patent is No. -823,474, and shown connected with the Burroughs recorder to register -with a star when the first item is printed if the machine is clear and -when a total is printing. Provision was also made for printing an S -when a sub-total was printed.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Adding cut-out</i></div> - -<p>The use of recording-adders is often applied when it is desired to -record dates along with tabulating added columns of recorded items. -Of course there is no use of adding the dates together, and again -if they were allowed to be added to the totals an erroneous total -of the columns added may result under certain conditions. Means for -automatically cutting out additions at certain positions of the paper -carriage in cross-line tabulating was devised by H. C. Peters, and a -patent showing such combination operative on the Burroughs recorder was -applied for by him May 12, 1904. The patent, No. 1,028,133, was issued -June 4, 1912. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Self-correcting keyboard</i></div> - -<p>With the introduction of the key-set crank-operated feature on the Felt -Comptometer, the key action, like in the Burroughs recorder, became a -feature to be considered; but unlike the organism of the Burroughs, -the Felt construction allowed of the use of a self-correcting keyboard -without the possibility of error occurring from its use. This feature -is shown in a patent issued to Felt & Wetmore applied for December -27, 1904, and issued May 14, 1907. The patent number is 853,543, -and provides a means of correcting errors made in setting the keys -by merely depressing the proper key or keys, which will release any -previously set in the respective orders.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Split keyboard</i></div> - -<p>In some classes of recording it is desirable to print more than one -column of items without shifting the paper carriage laterally. A means -providing for such an emergency is shown in patent No. 825,205, issued -to C. W. Gooch July 3, 1906. The patent was applied for December 2, -1905, and shows a means applicable to any order that may intercept the -printing of the ciphers in that order, and thereby the ciphers in all -other orders to the right from any key depression to the left of such -order. This made what has been generally known as the split keyboard, -but differs from that now in general use in that it was set to certain -orders and not selective at the will of the operator.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Dual action keyboard</i></div> - -<p>With the coming of the motor-operated recording-adders, the extra time -allowed the operator, through being relieved of having to work the -crank back and forth, left a lapse of time until the motor finished its -cranking of the machine. In other words, there could be no gain in the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span> -speed of operation because it took as much time for the motor to -operate the machine as it did by human power. In a patent granted to -McFarland, No. 895,664, applied for October 19, 1905, is shown a means -for utilizing the lapse of time which the operator was formerly obliged -to lose while waiting for the motor to finish its operation of cranking -the machine. It is shown in combination with the keyboard of the Pike -recorder and consists of a change that allows the keys for the next -item to be set while the motor is cranking the machine to print and add -the item previously set, thus utilizing the time formerly lost.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Non-add signal</i></div> - -<p>In adding and recording columns of figures, it quite often happens that -it is desirable to print a number without adding it into the total, -which may be accomplished in general by depressing the non-add key or -knob, or what may be supplied for that purpose. These numbers, however, -were not provided with any means by which they could be distinguished -from those added into the total until Jesse G. Vincent conceived -the idea of printing a distinguishing mark beside them to designate -that they were mere numbers not added to the total. The means for -accomplishing this feature is shown in patent No. 1,043,883, applied -for September 24, 1906, and issued November 12, 1912.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Selective split keyboard</i></div> - -<p>A new improvement in the split keyboard formerly devised by C. W. Gooch -is shown in a patent issued to Wetmore & Niemann applied to the Felt -“Comptograph.” This improvement consists of a selective device for -splitting the keyboard into four different combinations selective to -any combination. The patent was applied for April 24, 1907, and issued -February 2, 1915; the number is 1,127,332. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Selective printing cut-out</i></div> - -<p>In some classes of recording it is desirable at times to cut out the -printing of some of the orders and in others the whole of the printing -mechanism. Mr. Fred A. Niemann patented a means for such a contingency. -The patent was applied for April 24, 1907, but was not issued until -March 9, 1920. The feature was shown applied to the Felt Comptograph -for tabulating or printing vertically a series of added and footed -columns of figures.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Grand totalizer</i></div> - -<p>It is sometimes desirable to print the sum of all the totals of the -footed columns or what may be called a grand total. William E. Swalm, -in patent No. 885,202, applied for October 24, 1907, and issued April -21, 1908, shows how this feature may be accomplished on the Burroughs -recorder. It consisted of an extra series of accumulator wheels -that could be meshed with the regular accumulator wheels, and thus -receive actuation resulting in accumulation, the same as the regular -wheels. When, however, the regular wheels are zeroized in printing the -individual totals, the extra accumulator wheels are left out of mesh. -Thus the grand totals are accumulated. The printing of the grand total -is accomplished by the meshing of the grand total wheels with the -regular and the usual operation of taking a regular total. The regular -wheels, however, must be cleared first.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Alternate cross printing</i></div> - -<p>The shuttle carriage, a means devised to print two columns of figures -by printing a number in one column and a sum in the other by alternate -action, was the conception of Clyde E. Gardner, and is shown applied to -the carriage of the Pike recorder in patent No. 1,052,811 of February -11, 1913. The patent was applied for September 24, 1908, and consists -of means for automatically shifting the carriage back and forth. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Determinate item signal</i></div> - -<p>Another means than that invented by Felt to signal the operator when a -predetermined number of items have been recorded, consists of a bell, -which rings to notify the operator to that effect. This signal was -the invention of J. G. Vincent, and is shown in patent No. 968,005 of -August 23, 1910, and was applied for December 3, 1909, as an attachment -to the carriage of the Burroughs machine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Subtraction by reverse action</i></div> - -<p>Although subtraction has always been accomplished on this type of -machine as a means of correcting an error, it was always accomplished -on the Burroughs recorder by the use of what is generally known as -the complimental method, which, without special provision, is rather -objectionable. On the 22d of April, 1910, Wm. E. Swalm applied for a -patent which was issued June 4, which shows means connected with the -Burroughs machine that allowed subtraction to be made by the direct -method by setting the keys the same as for addition. The patent number -is 1,028,149.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Selective split for keyboard</i></div> - -<p>A further improvement on the split keyboard feature is shown in a -patent issued to Fred A. Niemann in which is shown an individually -selective cipher cut-out that splits the keyboard into any combination -at the will of the operator. The said patent is No. 1,309,692, -applied for October 7, 1912, and issued July 15, 1919, and shows the -improvement in combination with the Felt “Comptograph.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Rapid paper insert and ejector</i></div> - -<p>In some classes of listing or tabulating it is an advantage to enter -the paper and eject it with a rapidity that will facilitate the -handling of a large number of sheets, such for instance as the usual -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span> -bank statements. In patent No. 1,208,375 F. C. Rinche shows how he -accomplished this feature on the Burroughs recorder. The patent was -applied for July 21, 1913, and issued December 12, 1916.</p> - -<p>Of the named improvements, of course, all are designed to fit the -requirements of the machines they are shown as a part of in the -drawings of the patent. They are also claimed as adaptable to other -machines of the type, but some are so specific to the machine they -form an improvement on that they are not adaptable to other makes. -Again some give results on the machine they form a part of that was -accomplished in a different way in another make.</p> - -<p class="space-below2">Most of the improvements named, however, are -of such a nature that the broad feature disclosed is adaptable to all -makes if mechanism should be specially designed to suit such machines -that will function to give the result.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p049.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="149" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">The Bookkeeping and<br /> Billing Machine</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">An</span></big> -outgrowth of the recording-machine Art is represented in a new type -of recording machine especially adapted to bookkeeping and the making -out of invoices or reports where typewriting combined with arithmetical -recording is necessary. This class of work demands a combination of the -typewriter with adding and multiplying mechanism, having a capacity for -printing the totals of either addition or multiplication.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Early Combinations</i></div> - -<p>Several attempts have been made to combine the typewriter and -adding-recorder; and there have been combinations of multiplying and -recording. Another combination that has been used to some extent for -bookkeeping and billing is an adding attachment for typewriters, but -all these combinations were lacking in one feature or another of what -may be called a real bookkeeping machine and billing machine.</p> - -<p>The combination of the typewriter and multiple-order keyboard -recording-adders was too cumbersome, and the means employed for -multiplication on such machines required too many manipulative motions -from the operator. In simple cases of multiplication as high as fifty -manipulative motions would be required to perform an example on such a machine. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="MOON_HOPKINS" src="images/i_p176.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="514" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">“Moon-Hopkins” Billing and Bookkeeping Machine</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span> -The combination of multiplying mechanism, either direct or by repeated -stroke, with the multiple keyboard has been made, but without the typewriting -feature they do not serve as a real bookkeeping and billing machine.</p> - -<p>The combination of the typewriter and the adding attachment lacks -automatic means to print totals. The operator must read the totals and -print them with the typewriter. Multiplication on such a combination -is, of course, out of the question.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First Practical Combination</i></div> - -<p>The culmination of the quest for a practical bookkeeping machine is -a peculiar one, as it was dependent upon the ten-key recorder, which -has never become as popular as the multiple-order keyboard on account -of its limited capacity. The simplicity of its keyboard, however, -lent to its combination with the typewriter, and the application of -direct multiplication removed a large per cent of the limitation -which formerly stood as an objection to this class of machine when -multiplication becomes necessary.</p> - -<p>For the combination, which finally produced the desired result, we -must thank Mr. Hubert Hopkins, who is not only the patentee of such -a combination, but also the inventor of the first practical ten-key -recording-adder which has become commercially known as the “Dalton” machine. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine</i></div> - -<p>His bookkeeping machine is commercially known as the “Moon-Hopkins -Billing Machine.” <a href="#MOON_HOPKINS">See illustration on opposite page</a>.</p> - -<p>The term “Bookkeeping Machine” has been misused by applying it to -machines which only perform some of the functions of bookkeeping. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span></p> - -<p class="blockquot"> The principle of “Napier’s Bones” may be easily -explained by imagining ten rectangular slips of cardboard, each -divided into nine squares. In the top squares of the slips the ten -digits are written, and each slip contains in its nine squares the -first nine multiples of the digit which appears in the top square. -With the exception of the top square, every square is divided into -parts by a diagonal, the units being written on one side and the tens -on the other, so that when a multiple consists of two figures they -are separated by the diagonal. <a href="#NAPIERS_BONES">Fig. 1</a> -shows the slips corresponding to the numbers 2, 0, 8, 5, placed side by -side in contact with one another, and next to them is placed another -slip containing, in squares without diagonals, the first nine digits. -The slips thus placed in contact give the multiples of the number 2085, -the digits in each parallelogram being added together; for example, -corresponding to the number 6 on the right-hand slip we have 0, 8 + -3, 0 + 4, 2, 1, whence we find 0, 1, 5, 2, 1 as the digits, written -backwards, of 6 x 2085. The use of the slips for the purpose of -multiplication is now evident, thus, to multiply 2085 by 736 we take -out in this manner the multiples corresponding to 6, 3, 7 and set down -the digits as they are obtained, from right to left, shifting them back -one place and adding up the columns as in ordinary multiplication, -viz., the figures as written down are</p> - -<ul class="index fontsize_120"> -<li class="isub7">12510</li> -<li class="isub7">6255</li> -<li class="isub6">14595</li> -<li class="isub6">————</li> -<li class="isub6">1534560</li> -</ul> - -<div class="figcontainer"> - <div class="figsub"> - <img id="NAPIERS_BONES" src="images/i_p179a.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="526" /> - <p class="f120"><span class="smcap">Fig. 1.</span></p> - </div> - <div class="figsub"> - <img id="NAPIERS_BONES2" src="images/i_p179b.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="533" /> - <p class="f120"><span class="smcap">Fig. 2.</span></p> - </div> - <p class="f120">Napier's Bones<br />From Napier Tercentenary Celebration Handbook</p> -</div> - -<p class="blockquot space-below2"> Napier’s rods or bones consist of -ten oblong pieces of wood or other material with square ends. Each -of the four faces of each rod contains multiples of one of the nine -digits, and is similar to one of the slips just described, the first -rod containing the multiples of 0, 1, 9, 8, the second of 0, 2, 9, 7, -the third of 0, 3, 9, 6, the fourth of 0, 4, 9, 5, the fifth of 1, 2, -8, 7, the sixth of 1, 3, 8, 6, the seventh of 1, 4, 8, 5, the eighth -of 2, 3, 7, 6, the ninth of 2, 4, 7, 5, and the tenth of 3, 4, 6, 5. -Each rod, therefore, contains on two of its faces multiples of digits -which are complementary to those on the other two faces; and the -multiples of a digit and its complement are reversed in position. The -arrangements of the numbers on the rods will be evident from -<a href="#NAPIERS_BONES2">fig. 2</a>, which represents the four faces -of the fifth bar. The set of ten rods is thus equivalent to four sets -of slips as described above. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BARBOUR_PATENT3" src="images/i_p180a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="696" /> - <img id="BARBOUR_PATENT4" src="images/i_p180b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="680" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Barbour Patent No. 130,404</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> -It is unnecessary to go into the history of the Hopkins Bookkeeping -Machine to show the evolution of the Art relative to this class of -machines, as the features that have made such a machine practical were -developed by Hopkins himself, and at the present date there is none to -dispute the title since his is the only machine having the required -combination referred to. The scheme used by Hopkins for multiplication -in his billing machine is, as stated, direct multiplication or that -of adding the multiples of digits directly to the accumulator numeral -wheels instead of pumping it into the accumulator wheels by repeated -addition of the digits as is more commonly used.</p> - -<div class="figright"> - <img id="NAPIER" src="images/i_p181.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="262" /> - <p class="f120">John Napier</p> -</div> - -<p>The direct method of multiplying is old, as a matter of fact, the first -mechanical means employed for multiplying worked by the direct method. -But its combination with recording and typewriter mechanism invented by -Hopkins was new.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Napier’s bones first direct multiplier</i></div> - -<p>Napier, in 1620, laid the foundation of the mechanical method of direct -multiplication when he invented his multiplying bones. The scheme of -overlapping the ordinal places is shown in the diagonal lines used to -separate units from the tens in each multiple of the nine digits -(<a href="#NAPIERS_BONES">see illustration, page 179</a>), thus providing -a convenient means by which the ordinal values may be added together.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>First direct multiplying machine</i></div> - -<p>The first attempt to set Napier’s scheme to mechanism that would add -and register the overlapping ordinal values was patented by E. D. -Barbour in 1872. <a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT3">See reproduction of patent drawings</a> -on opposite page.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Barbour Multiplier</span></h3> - -<p>The accumulator mechanism of the Barbour machine, including the numeral -wheels and their devices for transferring the tens, is mounted in a -sliding carriage at the top of the machine (<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT3">see Fig. 1</a>), -which may be operated by the hand-knob. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">Description of Barbour Multiplier</div> - -<p>Extending through the bottom of the carriage are a series of pinions, -one for each ordinal numeral wheel, and connected thereto by a ratchet -and pawl action. The pinions are each so arranged as to be operative -with a gear rack beneath the carriage when the carriage is slid back -and forth.</p> - -<p>Thus the wheels received action from one direction of the motion of the -carriage and remain idle during the movement in the other direction. -The degree of motion so received would, of course, depend upon the -number of teeth in the racks below encountered by the pinions.</p> - -<p>The gear racks employed by Barbour were numerous, one being provided -for each multiple of the nine digits, arranged in groups constituting -nine sets mounted on the drums marked B (<a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT4">see Fig. 4</a>). -Each of these sets contain nine mutilated gear racks, the arrangement -of the teeth of which serve as the multiples of the digit they represent.</p> - -<p>The teeth of the racks representing the multiples of the digits were -arranged in groups of units and tens. For instance: 4 × 6 = 24, the -rack representing the multiple of 4 × 6 would have two gear teeth in -the tens place and four gear teeth in the units place, and likewise for -the eighty other combinations.</p> - -<p>Adding the multiples of the digits by overlapping the orders was -accomplished by a very simple means, the arrangement of the racks being -such that as the carriage was moved from left to right the numeral -wheel pinions would move over the units rack teeth of a multiplying -rack of one order and the tens rack teeth of a multiplying rack in the -next lower order.</p> - -<p>By close examination the reader will note <a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT4">from the drawings</a> -that the lower one of the sets of multiplying gear racks shown on the drum B, to -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> -the left in <a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT4">Fig. 4</a>, is the series of one -times the nine digits, the next set or series of racks above are the -multiplying racks for the multiples of two, the lowest rack in that -series having but two teeth, the next higher rack four teeth, the next -rack six and the next eight.</p> - -<p>So far no multiple of two has amounted to more than a units ordinal -place, therefore these racks operate on a lower-order numeral wheel, -and are all placed to the right of the center on the drum B, but the -next rack above for adding the multiple of two times five requires that -one shall be added to a higher order, and is therefore placed on the -left side of the center of the drum.</p> - -<p>Thus it will be noted that by reading the number of teeth on the right -of each rack as units and those on the left as tens, that running -anti-clockwise around the drum, each series of multiplying racks show -multiples of the digits from one to four, it being obvious that the -racks for adding the multiples of the higher digits are on the opposite -side of the drums.</p> - -<p>From the layout of the racks it is also obvious that the starting or -normal position of the carriage would be with the numeral wheel pinions -of each order in the center of each drum, so that as the carriage is -moved to the right the units wheel will receive movement from the units -teeth of the rack on the units drum, while the tens wheel will receive -movement from the units teeth of the tens drum and the tens teeth of -the units drum, and so on with the higher wheels, as each numeral wheel -pinion except the units passes from the center of one drum to the -center of the next lower and engages such teeth as may be presented. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span></p> - -<p>Each of the drums B are independently mounted on the pivot shaft C, and -are provided with the hand-operating setting-racks I and E, co-acting -with the gears R and D, to help in bringing the proper racks into -engageable positions with the pinions of the accumulator numeral or -total wheels.</p> - -<p>The hand-knob G, <a href="#BARBOUR_PATENT4">Fig. 4</a>, and the gears f, -fast to a common shaft, furnish a means for operating the whole series -of drums when the right multiple series of racks of each drum have been -brought into position.</p> - -<p>As an example of the operation of the Barbour calculator, let us assume -that 7894 is to be multiplied by 348. The first drum to the right would -be moved by its setting-racks until the series of multiplying racks for -adding the multiples of four are presented, the next higher drum to the -left would be set until the series of multiplying racks for adding the -multiples of nine were presented, the next higher drum would be set -for the multiples of eight, and the next higher drum, or the fourth to -the left, would be set for the multiples of seven. Then the hand-knob -G, first turned to register zero, may be shoved to the right, engaging -the pinions f with the gears D, and by turning the knob to register -(8), the first figure in the multiplier, the racks are then set ready -to move the numeral wheels to register as follows: The drum to the -right or the units drum has presented the multiplying rack for adding -the multiple of 8 × 4, thus it will present three teeth for the tens -wheel and two teeth for the units wheel. The tens drum presenting the -rack for adding the multiple of 8 × 9 will present seven teeth for the -hundreds wheel and two for the tens wheel. The hundreds drum presenting -the rack for adding the multiple of 8 × 8 will present six teeth for -the thousands wheel and four for the hundreds wheel. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BOLLEE_PATENT1" src="images/i_p186a.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="680" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img id="BOLLEE_PATENT2" src="images/i_p186b.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="662" /> - <p class="f120 space-below2">From Drawings of Bollee Patent No. 556,720</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> -The rack of the thousands drum representing the multiple of 8 × 7 will -present five teeth for the tens of thousands wheel and six for the -thousands wheel. Thus by sliding the carriage to the right one space, -the numeral wheel pinions will engage first the units teeth on one -drum, then the tens teeth on the next lower drum and cause the wheels -to register 63152. The operator, by turning the knob G to register (4), -the next figure of the multiplier, turns the drum so that a series of -multiplying racks representing multiples of 4 times each figure in the -multiplicand are presented, so that by sliding the carriage another -space to the right, the multiple of 4 × 7894 will be added to the -numeral wheels. The operator then turns the knob to register three and -moves the carriage one more space to the right, adding the multiple of -3 × 7894 to the wheels in the next higher ordinal series, resulting in -the answer of 2747112.</p> - -<p>There are, of course, many questionable features about the construction -shown in the machine of the Barbour patent, but as a feature of -historic interest it is worthy of consideration, like many other -attempts in the early Art.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Bollee Multiplier</span></h3> - -<p>Probably the first successful direct multiplying machine was made by -Leon Bollee, a Frenchman, who patented his invention in France in 1889. -A patent on the Bollee machine was applied for in this country and was -issued March 17, 1896, some of the drawings of which are -<a href="#BOLLEE_PATENT1">reproduced on the opposite page</a>. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Description of Bollee Machine</i></div> - -<p>Instead of using eighty-one multiplying gear racks for each order as -in the Barbour patent, Bollee used but two gear racks for each order; -one for adding the units and the other for adding the tens; these racks -operate vertically and are marked respectively Bb and Bc. -(<a href="#BOLLEE_PATENT2">See Fig. 3</a>.)</p> - -<p>The racks are frictionally held against gravity in the permanent -framework of the machine, and are moved up and down by contact at each -end, received from above by bar Ie, and from below by pins of varying -length set in the movable plates Ab.</p> - -<p>The bar Ie forms part of a reciprocating frame which moves vertically -and in which are slidably mounted the pin plates Ab. These plates are -what Bollee called his “mechanical multiplication tables.”</p> - -<p>The arrangement of the pins and their lengths are such as to give -degrees of additive movement to the units and tens gear racks equal to -the multiplying racks in the Barbour multiplier.</p> - -<p>The pin plates are moved by the hand-knobs Ab², and the plate shown in -<a href="#BOLLEE_PATENT2">See Fig. 3</a> is positioned for multiples of nine.</p> - -<p>The means for setting the multiples correspond to the index hand-knob -of the Barbour machine, and consists of the crank Am, which, when -operated, shifts the whole series of plates laterally. A graduated dial -serves the operator to set the multiple that the multiplicand, set by -the positioning of the plates, is to be multiplied by.</p> - -<p>The accumulator mechanism is mounted in a reciprocating frame which -moves horizontally, causing the gears of the numeral wheels to engage -first the units racks on their upstroke under action of the pins, and -then the tens racks on their down-stroke under the action of the top bar -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span> -of the vertically moving frame, the downward motion, of course, being -regulated by the upward movement it receives from the pin that forces -it up.</p> - -<p>As may be noted in <a href="#BOLLEE_PATENT1">Fig. 1</a>, -the multiplying plates are held in a laterally movable carriage that is -shifted through the turning of the multiplier factor setting hand crank -Am, by means of the rack and pinion action. This gearing is such that -each revolution moves the multiplying plates under a higher or lower -series of orders, thus allowing the multiples of a higher or lower -order series to be added in the process of multiplication or subtracted -in division, as the case may be.</p> - -<p>Although the Bollee machine is reputed to be a practical machine, as -is attested from the models on exhibit in the Museum of Des Arts and -Metiers of Paris in France, it was never manufactured and placed on the -market.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><i>Bollee’s principle commercialized</i></div> - -<p>Bollee’s principle has, however, been commercialized by a Swiss -manufacturer in a machine made and sold under the trade name of “The -Millionaire,” the U. S. patents of which were applied for and issued to -Steiger.</p> - -<p>Hopkins constructed his multiplying mechanism on the Bollee scheme of -using stepped controlling plates for his reciprocating racks to give -the multiples of the digits, but the ingenious method of application -shown in the Hopkins patent drawings illustrates well the American -foresight of simplicity of manufacture.</p> - -<p>During the past ten years there have been a large number of patents -applied for on mechanism containing the same general scheme as that -of Bollee and Steiger, but up to the present writing no machines with -direct multiplying mechanism have been commercialized except “The -Millionaire,” which is non-recording, and “Moon-Hopkins Bookkeeping -Machine.”</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">A Closing Word</h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><big><span class="smcap">As</span></big> -previously stated, it is impossible to describe or illustrate -the thousands of inventions that have been patented in the Art of -accounting machines, and some of the inventors may feel that the writer -has shown partiality. The subject of this book, however, has to do only -with the Art as it stands commercialized and those who are responsible -for its existence.</p> - -<p>In the arguments to prove validity of contributions of vital importance -to the Art, many other patented machines have been used which really -have no bearing on the Art. But the writer was obliged to show their -defects, otherwise the misconception derived from articles written by -authors incompetent to judge would leave the public in error as to the -real truth relative to the Art of the modern accounting machines.</p> - -<p>That all inventors deserve credit, even in the face of failure, is -without question. The hours, days, months, and sometimes years, given -up to the working out of any machine, intended to benefit mankind, -whether the result brings a return or not,—whether the invention -holds value, or no,—leaves a record that the world may benefit by, in -pointing out the errors or productive results. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span></p> - -<p>If it were not for the ambitions and untiring efforts of men of this -type, who give heart and soul to the working out of intricate problems, -the world would not be as far advanced as it is today. -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span></p> - -<p class="space-below2">The writer has kept in close touch with the -Art of calculating machines since 1893, and made exhaustive research -of it prior to that period. There have been thousands of patents -issued on machines of the class herein set forth, but outside of the -features reviewed there have been no broadly new ones of practical -importance that have as yet proved to be of great value to the public. -What is in the making, and what may be developed later, is open to -conjecture. It is a safe conjecture, however, that in the present high -state of the Art it will tax the wits of high-class engineers to offer -any substantial and broadly new feature which will be heralded as a -noticeable step in the Art. And that, as in the past, thousands of -mistakes, and impractical as well as inoperative machines will be made -and patented, to one that will hold real value.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i_p191.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="205" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">Index to Subjects</h2> -</div> - -<table class="no-wrap" border="0" cellspacing="0" summary="INDEX" cellpadding="0" > -<tbody> -<tr><td class="tdl"><big><span class="smcap">Types of Ancient and Modern Machines</span></big></td><td class="tdr"> Page</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">General knowledge lacking</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Key-driven machine, first of the modern machines</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Recording, the primary feature of adding machines that print</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Validity and priority of invention</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Pascal’s invention</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Constructional features of the Pascal machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Increased capacity of modern calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Patent office a repository of ineffectual efforts</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">The Early Key-Driven Art</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First attempt to use depressable keys for adding was made in America</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Parmelee machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Foreign digit adders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Single-digit adders lack capacity</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Some early U. S. patents on single-digit adding machines</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Calculating machines in use abroad for centuries</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First key-driven machines no improvement to the Art</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of the Hill machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Hill machine at National Museum</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Inoperativeness of Hill machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">High speed of key drive</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Camera slow compared with carry of the tens</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Hill machine merely adding mechanism, incomplete as operative machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Chapin and Stark patents</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Chapin machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Inoperativeness of Chapin machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Stark machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Inoperativeness of Stark machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Nine keys common to a plurality of orders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Robjohn machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First control for a carried numeral wheel</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Bouchet machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Bouchet machine marketed</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Misuse of the term “Calculating Machine”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Spalding machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Prime actuation of a carried wheel impossible in the Spalding machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_49">49</a> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">The Key-Driven Calculator</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Theory versus the concrete</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">All but one of the generic elements solved</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Originality of inventions</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">A conception which led to the final solution</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Evolution of an invention</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Trials of an inventor</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">The first “Comptometer”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt patent 371,496</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Felt calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Recapitulation of Art prior to Felt calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Why Hill failed to produce an operative machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Idiosyncrasies of force and motion increased by use of keys</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Light construction a feature</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Operative features necessary</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Classification of the features contained in the early Art of key-driven machines</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Carrying mechanism of Felt’s calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Transfer devices</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Carrying mechanism versus mere transfer devices</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Details of Felt carrying mechanism</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Manufacture of the Felt calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Trade name of Felt calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt calculator exhibit at National Museum</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Significant proof of Felt’s claim of priority</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Rules for operation an important factor of modern calculator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">Early Efforts in the Recording Machine Art</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First attempt to record arithmetical computation</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Barbour machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Barbour machine not practical</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Baldwin machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Baldwin’s printing mechanism</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First key-set crank-operated machine and first attempt to record the items in addition</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Pottin machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Early efforts of Wm. S. Burroughs</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">General scheme of Burroughs’ first inventions</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Brief description of machine of early Burroughs’ patents</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">All early arithmetical printing devices impractical</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Practical method for recording disclosed later</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Inoperative features of early recording mechanism</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Adding mechanism attached to typewriter</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Ludlum machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Ludlum machine inoperative</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">First Practical Recorders</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Burroughs a bank clerk</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt interested in recorder Art</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt’s first recording machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_113">113</a> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt recording mechanism combined with his calculating machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Felt’s first recorder</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First individualized type impression combined with printing sector</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First practical arithmetical recorder</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">The first sale of a recording adding machine on record</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Features of first practical recorder</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Felt’s second recorder</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt principle of printing adopted by all manufacturers of recorders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Wide paper carriage for tabulating</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">The wide paper carriage machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Litigation on tabulator patents</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">“Cross Tabulating”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt recorder in “Engineering” of London, England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Total recording a Felt combination</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Legible listing of items and automatic recording of totals first achieved by Felt</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">The key-set principle more practical for recorders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of first practical Burroughs recorder</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Date of use of first practical Burroughs recorder</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">Introduction of the Modern Accounting Machine</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Opposition to the use of machines for accounting</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Banks more liberal in recognition</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Improvement slow for first few years</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">The High-Speed Calculator</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt improvements on Comptometer</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Scientific distribution of functions</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Power consumed by old carrying method</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Cam and lever carrying mechanism</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">One-point carrying cam impossible</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Felt’s improved method of carrying</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Gauging and controlling prime actuation</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Alternating stop scheme</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Multiplex key action</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Control of the carry by the next higher actuator</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Forced simultaneous key action old</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Forced simultaneity applied to a calculator impossible</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Flexible simultaneity of key action a Felt invention</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Duplex Comptometer</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Introduction of full-stroke mechanism</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Error signal keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Locking of the other orders by a short key-stroke</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Inactive keys locked during proper key-action in cash register</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Inactive keys not locked during proper key-action in “Comptometer”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">“Controlled-key Comptometer”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">The mass of recorder inventions patented</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">But few of the recorder patents of value</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Reserve invention as good insurance</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_164">164</a> - <span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Erroneous advertising</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Error key</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Sub-total</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Repeat key</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Locked keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Quick paper return</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Paper stop</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Cross tabulating</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Item stop</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Motor drive</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Distinguishing marks for clear, totals, and sub-totals</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Adding cut-out</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Self-correcting keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Split keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Dual action keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Non-add signal</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Selective split keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Selective printing cut-out</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Grand totalizer</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Alternate cross printing</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Determinate item signal</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Subtraction by reverse action</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Selective split for keyboard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Rapid paper insert and ejector</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><big><span class="smcap">The Bookkeeping and Billing Machine</span></big></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Early combinations</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First practical combination</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Moon-Hopkins Billing machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Napier’s Bones first direct multiplier</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">First direct multiplying machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Barbour Multiplier</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Description of Bollee machine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl_ws1">Bollee’s principle commercialized</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl_space-above1" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_190"><big><span class="smcap">A Closing Word</span></big></a></td></tr> -</tbody> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<p class="f150"><b>Footnotes:</b></p> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> -<span class="smcap">Note</span>: The title of this book does not -coincide with the above argument, but in view of the common use of the -term “calculating” its application is better understood.</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> -<span class="smcap">Note</span>: As all the drawings of the Felt patent -are not reproduced here, the cam is not shown.</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> -<span class="smcap">Note</span>: All the drawings of the Pottin -patent are not shown here.</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"><p class="no-indent"> -<a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> -In making this comparison, the reader should be careful not to confuse -the later key-set crank-driven type like that of Pottin described in -the preceding chapter. It was the old key-driven type of cash register -which contained the forced simultaneity of key-action.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote bbox space-above2"> -<p class="f120 space-above1">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> -<hr class="r10" /> -<p>The illustrations have been moved so that they do not break up - paragraphs and so that they are next to the text they illustrate.</p> -<p >Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.</p> -</div></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIGIN OF MODERN CALCULATING MACHINES ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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