adding machine

Mediumsteel, glass, enamel, rubber, paper

Dimensionsassembled: 38 × 33 × 28 in. (96.5 × 83.8 × 71.1 cm)
machine: 12 × 14 1/2 × 19 1/2 in. (30.5 × 36.8 × 49.5 cm)
folded stand: 31 × 20 1/2 × 28 in. (78.7 × 52.1 × 71.1 cm)

ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Albuquerque National Bank

Object numberPC1976.127.3

DescriptionThis adding machine, produced by the Burroughs Corporation in the early 20th century, represents a key milestone in the history of mechanical computation. Originally founded in 1886 by William Seward Burroughs as the American Arithmometer Company, the firm later became the Burroughs Corporation and emerged as a major innovator in early computing technologies. Known initially for its reliable adding machines, Burroughs expanded its product line to include typewriters, programmable ledgers, and eventually some of the most powerful mainframe computers of its time. Encased in a glossy black steel housing adorned with a prominent gold "Burroughs" logo, this machine features a full keyboard, a small glass display for calculations, and a printing mechanism at the top with a roll of paper used to record entries. On the reverse side, another gold inscription reads: “Burroughs / THIS MACHINE PROTECTED BY U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS,” underscoring its status as a patented innovation. The machine is mounted on a robust steel frame designed as a mobile workstation, complete with foldable wheels, a stable locking leg system, and an adjustable side table for added functionality. This artifact not only reflects the industrial elegance and precision engineering of its era but also stands as a powerful testament to the technological advances that laid the groundwork for today’s digital information systems.

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