Origin of modern calculating machines

by J. A. V. Turck

The Pottin Machine

Eight years after the Baldwin patent was issued, a Frenchman named Henry Pottin, residing in Paris, France, invented a machine for recording cash transactions, which he patented in England in 1883 and in the United States in 1885 ([see illustration on opposite page]).

The form and design of the machine, as will be noted, correspond quite favorably with the scheme of the present-day cash register, although it lacks the later refinement that has made the cash register acceptable from a visible point of view.

First key-set crank-operated machine and first attempt to record the items in addition

The Pottin invention is named here as the first in which two of the prime principles of the recording-adders of today are disclosed; one is the depressable key-set feature and the other is the recording of the numerical items. The Pottin machine was the first known depressable key-set crank-operated machine made to add columns of figures and the first machine in which an attempt was made to print the numerical items as they were added.

Turning to the [illustration of the U. S. patent drawings] of the Pottin machine, the reader will note that there are four large wheels shown, marked B. These wheels are what may be called the type-wheels, although they also serve as indicator wheels for registering cash sales. The type figures are formed by a series of needles fixed in the face of the wheels.

The means employed for presenting the proper type figure for printing and likewise the indicator figures to indicate the amount set up in each denominational order was as follows:

Referring to [Fig. 1], it will be noted that to each type-wheel is geared a spring-actuated segmental rack marked D, which, as shown in the drawing, is in contact with a pin marked i, which protrudes from the side of the depressed number (9) key.

The normal position of the rack D, is indicated in dotted lines showing the next higher sector which has not been displaced by key depression.

Description of Pottin machine

Each key, as will be noted from [Fig. 7], is provided with one of the pins i, which is normally out of the path of the lug j, as the racks D, drop forward; but when any key is depressed the pin is presented in the path of the lug j, and stops further forward action of the rack.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the keys is such as will allow progressively varying degrees of action to the segmental racks D. This variation, combined with the geared relation of the type-wheels and racks is equivalent to a tenth of a rotation of the type-wheel for each successive key in the order of their arrangement from 1 to 9.

The means provided for holding the segmental racks D, at normal, also serves to hold a key of the same order depressed, and consists of a pivoted spring-pressed latch-frame marked E ([see Figs. 7 and 8]).

With such a combination, the depression of keys in the several orders will unlatch the segmental racks, and the racks, through the tension of their actuating springs, will turn the wheels and present a type corresponding to the numerical value of each key depressed.

A hand lever, marked R, located on left side of the machine provides power for printing the items. Another hand lever, marked J, serves to restore the segmental racks, type-wheels and the keys to normal, and through the co-operation of the lever R, adds the items to the totalizer numeral wheels, which are shown in [Fig. 1] as the numbered wheels marked v.

The paper is supplied from a roll mounted on a hinged platen frame P¹, supported in its normal position by a spring P³. The paper passes under the roller P, which acts as a platen for the impression of the type. A shaft Q, passing under the frame P¹, is fast and rigidly connected on the left-hand side of the machine with the hand lever R, and acts as a pivot for the said lever and by means of lateral projections q, serves when the lever R is operated to engage the frame P¹, and depresses it until the needle types have pricked the numerical items through the paper.

A slit in the casing provided means for printing the item on a separate piece of paper or bill.

Although there is no means shown by which the paper is fed after an item is printed, it is claimed in the specification that the well-known means for such feeding may be employed. The actuating lever J referred to, is connected by a ratchet and geared action with the shaft F[3], so that a revolution is given the said shaft each time the lever is operated.

To the shaft F, ([see Fig. 1]) is attached a series of arms H, one for each order, which, as the shaft revolves in the direction of the arrow, engages a lug marked I, on the segmental racks D, thus rocking the segments back to normal, turning the type-wheels with them.

The return of the segment racks D, cause the back of the latch-tooth f¹, ([see Fig. 8]) to engage the latch-tooth f, of the latch bar E, camming it out of engagement with the keys so that any key that has been set will return by means of its own spring.

From Drawings of Burroughs Patent No. 388,118

Wm. S. Burroughs

The total or accumulator numeral wheels are connectable with the type or indicating wheels B, by an engaging and disengaging gear motion set up by the combined action of the hand levers R and J, which first cause such gear engagement, and then, through the return of the type wheels to zero, turn the accumulator wheels, thus transferring the amount of the item set upon the type wheels to the accumulator wheels.

The specification claims the machine is intended for use by cashiers, bank-tellers, and others, to record receipts or disbursements.

It is also claimed in the specification that instead of the needle type ordinary type may be used in combination with an inking ribbon if so desired.

Early efforts of Wm. S. Burroughs

One of the next attempts to produce a recording-adder was made by Wm. S. Burroughs, whose name sixteen years later was used to rename the American Arithmometer Co., now known as the Burroughs Adding Machine Co.

The first patent issued to Burroughs, No. 388116, under date of August 21, 1888, like the machine of Barbour and Baldwin, was designed to record only the final result of calculation.

On the same date, but of later application, another patent, No. 388118, was issued to Burroughs which claimed to combine the recording of the numerical items and the recording of the totals in one machine. Some of the drawings of this patent have been reproduced. ([See opposite page].)