Mechanical Accountant

This key-driven adding machine has a brown metal case and eight columns of nine plastic or ceramic keys. The rightmost three columns of keys are black with white numbers, and the other five columns are white with black numbers. Complementary digits are indicated on the keys. Results appear in a row of nine windows in back of the keyboard. The latest number entered appears in a row of eight windows behind this. A metal lever in front of the keys cancels an entry, but not the total. A crank on the side zeros both sets of windows. The windows are covered with translucent greenish plastic, which is cracking. There are four rubber feet. The machine is marked at the front: Mechanical (/) Accountant.

This is the earlier “simplex”model of the machine, which was designed to have numbers entered one digit at a time. The simultaneous operation of two columns where a carry is involved results in loss of the carry.

Compare 323599.

Joseph Abram Turck of Providence, Rhode Island, assigned three patents to the Mechanical Accountant Company. Turck then went on to work for Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Company of Chicago.

References:

J. A. V. Turck, “Adding Machine,” U.S. Patent 631345, granted August 22, 1899.

J. A. V. Turck, “Calculating Machine,” U.S. Patent 679,348, granted July 30, 1901.

J. A. V. Turck, “Calculating-Machine,” U.S. Patent 720,086, granted February 10, 1903.

J. H. McCarthy, The American Digest of Business Machines, Chicago: American Exchange Service, 1924, p. 550.

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