Calculator And Stand

Mediummetal

Dimensions37 × 32 × 25 in. (94 × 81.3 × 63.5 cm)

ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Dothy Keleher Valliant and Marion Keleher Clay

Object numberPC1977.82.3.A-B

DescriptionThis calculator, produced by the Burroughs Corporation in the mid-20th century, marks a significant chapter in the evolution of mechanical computation. Founded in 1886 by William Seward Burroughs as the American Arithmometer Company, the firm later became the Burroughs Corporation and established itself as a leading force in early computing innovation. While initially recognized for its dependable adding machines, Burroughs expanded its offerings to include typewriters, programmable ledgers, and eventually some of the era’s most advanced mainframe computers. Housed in a sleek gray plastic casing, this calculator features a distinctive red circular Burroughs logo and the company’s name displayed in a stylized font above the keyboard. The central keyboard, composed of multiple sets of color-coded keys, dominates the machine’s surface, while a printing mechanism positioned above records each entry onto a roll of paper. The entire unit is mounted on a durable steel frame designed as a mobile workstation, equipped with folding wheels, a locking leg system for stability, and an adjustable side table for added versatility. This artifact exemplifies the blend of functional design and technological innovation characteristic of its time and serves as a compelling reminder of the foundational tools that shaped the trajectory of modern computing.

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