Resource Type

Adding-Machine. (open access)

Adding-Machine.

Patent for an adding-machine meant to "add fixed amounts of money received or to calculate the number of days a laborer has worked or the number of fractions of days" (lines 14-17). Mounted keys have mechanisms that rotate a ratchet wheel or disk. "Secured to the shaft upon which this ratchet wheel or disk is mounted is a rate-indicator, consisting of a disk divided off into radial sections, and also divided by lines running parallel to the circumference of said disk, dividing the same up into sections, which indicate money advanced on pay-roll, addition column, total amount at a fixed rate, and the number of days worked by any workman" (lines 25-34).
Date: August 27, 1895
Creator: McElyea, James L.
System: The Portal to Texas History