Object Details
Description
This is a single counter from a Hollerith tabulating machine. It has square brass pieces on top and bottom, with a brass mechanism in between. A paper-covered metal dial on top is divided around the edge into 100 equal parts. Two hands are on the face of the dial. Advancing the small hand by 100 (one revolution) advances the large hand by one. Hence the counter can read up to 9,999.
A mark around the center of the dial reads: THE HOLLERITH (/) ELECTRIC TABULATING SYSTEM (/) PATENTED, 1889.
Compare to the dials on MA.312895.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of Herman Hollerith, Jr.
date made
ca 1890
ID Number
MA.335638
catalog number
335638
accession number
1977.0114
Object Name
counter
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
brass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 6 cm; 2 15/16 in x 2 15/16 in x 2 3/8 in
place made
United States: District of Columbia, Washington
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Computers & Business Machines
Tabulating Equipment
Data Source
National Museum of American History
web subject
Mathematics
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_690548