Burroughs Class 4 Adding Machine

This full keyboard printing electric adding machine has a black metal frame and ten columns of round black and white color-coded plastic keys. No complementary digits are indicated. Function keys are to the left of the number keys, with an addition bar and further function keys to the right. A row of number dials is at the front of the machine, and a row of five smaller dials on the left between the keyboard and these dials. This may be a revolution counter.

The machine has a motor beneath it, and a wide carriage and printing mechanism at the back. The printer ribbon has spools between the keyboard and the carriage and also extends from the right side. A metal plug on the right blocks the hole where the handle would go. The machine has a black rubber cord. The Burroughs Class 4 was introduced in 1912. According to McCarthy, it was intended to be used in multiplication, and the carriage could be shifted to the right or to the left to accomplish this. This object does not correspond precisely to the Burroughs Class 4 as described in McCarthy.

This is model # 195 from the Patent Division of Burroughs Corporation. It is marked on the front: Burroughs. It has a red paper tag that reads: PATENT DEPT. (/) #195. There is presently no stand.

Reference:

J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 34.

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