High Keyboard Machines
This group of adding machines comprises all high keyboard machines. (Class 1, 2, and 6, Models 1 – 17)
High keyboard machines were the first machines built by the American Arithmometer Company and, later, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. Designed to be used first in banks, the machine also became the machine of choice to businesses in general.
The construction of these machines included the famous glass sides, later copied in one form or another by other manufacturers, which allowed the “wonder” of the mechanism to be seen and appreciated by buyers.
Some of the low cost models like the Class 1, Style 6x, did not have glass on the sides.
Burroughs built the "high-keyboard" machines in three "classes" and in each class, several different "styles" or "models". The differences in the classes are described below. The styles or models were generally reflecting the adding capacity of the machine. The smallest, Class 1, Style 6, had only six columns and could only add to $9,999.99. The largest of the machines has 17 columns. This feature allowed for pricing of machines to vary allowing the business to buy a machine that fit their budget and their needs.
Another significant difference between some "styles" or "models" was the carriage type. There were "narrow" carriages (3 1/2 inch) that would only fit two sizes of narrow roll paper. This was seen on machines used for adding only. There were wider carriages that would hold larger rolls of paper or forms such as ledger cards. This became an important to bookkeeping work. Wider carriages came in the following widths: 10 1/4 inch, 12 1/4 inch, and 18 inch.
The differences between the three classes of so called "high-keyboard" machines are as follows:
Class 1 - Burroughs first machine. Came in many styles (or models) with many optional features. This was an addition only machine. Optional motor power was available which required the machine to be on a stand due to the size of the motor which was attached to the bottom of the machine.
Class 2 - The models and features were much the same the Class 1 machines, but the Class 2 had two adding registers. Called a "duplex" machine, this machine was used extensively as a "bookkeeping" machine.
Class 6 - This machine looked very much like the other classes, but had many additional optional features. This was the first machine of the high-keyboard type to have direct subtraction. It also could be equipped with a carriage return motor to the left of the machine. This machine was truly the first "bookkeeping" machine. The machine also included mechanical machine control at each carriage stop position. As the wide carriage tabulated to the left at each machine cycle, pre-installed parts at each carriage stop point, directed the machine to a specific type of action. As an example, one stop might automatically cause the machine to enter the figure on the keyboard to be subtracted from the total, while at another carriage stop position, the machine controls might be forced to add the amount indexed. In a way, this was a very early "programmable" machine control feature.
Like most Burroughs machines, the number of columns and the type of carriage varied widely to meet the different needs and application of the user. Wide carriages usually moved from side to side to allow listing (printing) on wide forms, such as journal pages.
Perhaps the most commonly found Burroughs machine, the Class 1 machines, are highly valued by collectors. Especially non-electric models in good condition.
Additional information about operating and servicing the high-keyboard type machines can be found at this link. HIGH-KEYBOARD
A bit of trivia, you may have heard the term “T-totaller” used to describe a person who stayed away from drinking and was very formal and precise. Well, the term came from bankers using the Class 2 machines, which had a key on the keyboard that was marked “T Total”.
This group of adding machines comprises all high keyboard machines. (Class 1, 2, and 6, Models 1 – 17)
High keyboard machines were the first machines built by the American Arithmometer Company and, later, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company. Designed to be used first in banks, the machine also became the machine of choice to businesses in general.
The construction of these machines included the famous glass sides, later copied in one form or another by other manufacturers, which allowed the “wonder” of the mechanism to be seen and appreciated by buyers.
Some of the low cost models like the Class 1, Style 6x, did not have glass on the sides.
Burroughs built the "high-keyboard" machines in three "classes" and in each class, several different "styles" or "models". The differences in the classes are described below. The styles or models were generally reflecting the adding capacity of the machine. The smallest, Class 1, Style 6, had only six columns and could only add to $9,999.99. The largest of the machines has 17 columns. This feature allowed for pricing of machines to vary allowing the business to buy a machine that fit their budget and their needs.
Another significant difference between some "styles" or "models" was the carriage type. There were "narrow" carriages (3 1/2 inch) that would only fit two sizes of narrow roll paper. This was seen on machines used for adding only. There were wider carriages that would hold larger rolls of paper or forms such as ledger cards. This became an important to bookkeeping work. Wider carriages came in the following widths: 10 1/4 inch, 12 1/4 inch, and 18 inch.
The differences between the three classes of so called "high-keyboard" machines are as follows:
Class 1 - Burroughs first machine. Came in many styles (or models) with many optional features. This was an addition only machine. Optional motor power was available which required the machine to be on a stand due to the size of the motor which was attached to the bottom of the machine.
Class 2 - The models and features were much the same the Class 1 machines, but the Class 2 had two adding registers. Called a "duplex" machine, this machine was used extensively as a "bookkeeping" machine.
Class 6 - This machine looked very much like the other classes, but had many additional optional features. This was the first machine of the high-keyboard type to have direct subtraction. It also could be equipped with a carriage return motor to the left of the machine. This machine was truly the first "bookkeeping" machine. The machine also included mechanical machine control at each carriage stop position. As the wide carriage tabulated to the left at each machine cycle, pre-installed parts at each carriage stop point, directed the machine to a specific type of action. As an example, one stop might automatically cause the machine to enter the figure on the keyboard to be subtracted from the total, while at another carriage stop position, the machine controls might be forced to add the amount indexed. In a way, this was a very early "programmable" machine control feature.
Like most Burroughs machines, the number of columns and the type of carriage varied widely to meet the different needs and application of the user. Wide carriages usually moved from side to side to allow listing (printing) on wide forms, such as journal pages.
Perhaps the most commonly found Burroughs machine, the Class 1 machines, are highly valued by collectors. Especially non-electric models in good condition.
Additional information about operating and servicing the high-keyboard type machines can be found at this link. HIGH-KEYBOARD
A bit of trivia, you may have heard the term “T-totaller” used to describe a person who stayed away from drinking and was very formal and precise. Well, the term came from bankers using the Class 2 machines, which had a key on the keyboard that was marked “T Total”.
Class 1 – Single counter (total), high keyboard, blind printing (not visible at print time)
Date Range -- 1895-193x
Original Price -- $300-$800
Today’s Value -- $125-$400
American Arithmometer “The Burroughs“
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Very old Class 1
Nice wide carraige for handling bookkeeping forms.
Class 2 bookkeeping machine. Built with two adding registers.