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KF5JRV > TECHNI 27.11.16 21:55l 33 Lines 1399 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 5329_KF5JRV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Burroughs Machine
Path: IW8PGT<F1OYP<IR2UBX<DB0RES<PI8CDR<GB7YEW<N9PMO<NS2B<KF5JRV
Sent: 161114/1239Z 5329@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQK6.0.13
The Burroughs Machine
The original Burroughs machine was issued patents #388,116 and
#388,118 on Aug 21, 1888. However, it appears that it had some
design flaws and the first 50 produced are said to have been
destroyed by their inventor.
Anyone gazing for the first time upon one of these stately late
Victorian devices cant help but be impressed. The massive frame
and thick plate glass sides were certain to reassure depositors
and convey a sense of down-to-earth rock-solid stability. And
when the bank teller would set the $$ amount into the keyboard,
crank the handle and all could see the marvelous mechanism at
work as the figures listed onto the paper tape... well, it
must have been quite a show.
It would seem that most buyers of these machines
were banks and other "counter service" businesses where the
machine would reside at a fixed location. However, when they
were needed elsewhere in the office or shop, it was no small
task to move their massive bulk. One solution was to mount them
atop extraordinarily sturdy wheeled stands capable of being
raised to move and lowered to provide a firm footing.
Over the next half century, Burroughs was destined to dominate
the (front office) adding machine market while warding off a
variety of competitors while Felt & Tarrant's Comptograph would
prove only a minor annoyance.
73 Scott KF5JRV
KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
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