Barrett Model 123E Adding Machine

This full-keyboard printing electric adding machine has a metal case painted black and nine columns of black and white color-coded keys. The steel keyboard is painted green. To the left of the keyboard are a non-print lever and a subtract lever. To the right are a subtotal key, a total key, an add bar, a repeat key, a correction key, and a non-add key. Above the keyboard is a set of small dials that indicates totals. Next to these on the left is a crank that may be used to shift the dials to the left or to the right in multiplication.

Behind the dials are the ribbon, printing mechanism, and narrow fixed carriage. This example has no paper tape. There are 13 type bars, and 12-digit results may be shown. The spools for the ribbon are under metal covers which are screwed down. At the back of the machine, outside the case, is the motor. The cord is cloth-covered. The legs at the back of the machine are longer than those in front, so that the machine sits at an angle.

The machine is marked on the front: Barrett Desk Electric (/) REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. (/) LANSTON MONOTYPE MACHINE COMPANY (/) PHILADELPHIA, PA. U.S.A.; It is marked on a metal tag attached to the front of the machine: MODEL ROOM. It is also marked there: 133820-123E; It is marked on a white paper tag attached to the machine: to E. Racz 11-22-44K. It is marked on a red paper tag attached to the machine: PATENT DEPT. (/) #149. The machine is from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation.

References:

American Office Machines Reference Services, May, 1939, 3.21, p. 1-6 describes this model.

Ernst Martin, The Calculating Machines, pp. 240-243, indicates that a manual Barrett machine was introduced in 1910, with production passing to Lanston Monotype in 1922. No electric Barrett machines are shown in McCarthy, American Digest of Business Machines, 1924 or in the Business Machines and Equipment Digest for 1928.

Currently not on view