U.S.Historical Timeline of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company (1858 - 1992)
This information has been gathered from many Burroughs documents, including annual reports.
The following is a chronology of events.
1858
William Seward Burroughs was born in Rochester, New York on January 28th, 1858.
1877
William Seward Burroughs moves with his father to Auburn, New York, so that his father could find William a position as a Bank Clerk in the Auburn Bank. Burroughs spent the next five years working there.
1882
William moves to St. Louis and took up his father's occupation as a mechanic.
1884
Burroughs decided to start development of an adding machine with $700 financing from Thomas Metcalf. This development effort work was accomplished at a machine shop owned by Joseph Boyer at 240 Dickson Street in St. Louis.
1885
The first workable adding and listing machine is built and patented in St. Lewis, Missouri, by William Seward Burroughs. W. S. Burroughs files first patent application.
Burroughs Adding and Registering Company Limited was established in Nottingham, England.
1886
The American Arithmometer Company is formed on January 21st.
The sales of the first adding and listing machine of the American Arithmometer Company began at a price
of $475 each.
Thomas Metcalfe was elected the first president of the American Arithmometer Company.
1888
Burroughs secured his first patent for a key-set recording and adding machine.
The company's first manufacturing location outside the United States was opened in Nottingham, England.
1889
The first ten machines from a ordered lot of 50 were delivered from the Boyer Machine Shop on July 8.
1890
First machines demonstrated in banks in New York and St. Lewis.
Burroughs invented the "automatic control", or Dashpot, in the fall of 1890.
W. S. Burroughs sails to England with a new model developed to tabulate English currency in an effort to attract investors.
1891
A new contract was established with the Boyer Machine Shop for 100 machines on November 23.
Charles E. Barney becomes the second president of the American Arithmometer Company.
First advertisement - The Burroughs Registering Accountant.
1892
On May 28th a contract was made with Thomas Lawson to organize the Commercial Adding Machine Company to sell Burroughs machines in the United States and Canada. The contract was cancelled in the fall of the year. The contract was reassigned to Willis C. Walker with the agreement that his company would sell nine-bank Burroughs machines for $495.00.
1984
The sales contract with Willis Walker was terminated in April 1894 when Burroughs began to market their machines directly.
1895
Total sales for 1895 were 284 machines.
First dividend is paid to stockholders.
Company licenses patents and marketing rights for non-U.S. markets to English firm.
Mr. Boyer erected a two story building at 21st and Wash Streets in St. Louis. Lower portion of the building housed the Boyer Machine Shop, and the upper portion was used for the American Arithmometer Company offices.
The name of the machines was changed from "Registering Accountant" or "Arithmometer" to "Burroughs Adding and Listing Machines".
Late in the year, Boyer moved his machine shop to Detroit, MI. The St. Louis building was then totally occupied by the American Arithmometer Company.
1898
William Seward Burroughs dies at Citronelle, Alabama on September 14, 1898. He was buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
1900
Total sales for 1900 were 972 machines.
Won gold medal at the Paris Exposition.
1902
Joseph Boyer became the third and last president of the American Arithmometer Company.
1903
Joseph Boyer secretly enters into an agreement to acquire the Addograph Manufacturing Company, whose director is Hubert Hopkins. The name Hopkins later becomes famous for the Moon–Hopkins machine.
James Dalton, president of the Addograph Company, formed the Adding Typewriter Company that same year. It was later called the Dalton Adding Machine Company.
1904
The Company moves to Detroit from St. Louis in October with all employees in one day on a special train called the "Clover Leaf Express."
1905
The American Arithmometer Company reorganizes as the Burroughs Adding Machine Company on January 14th.
Total sales for 1905 was 7,804 machines.
Employment rises to 1,200.
1906
Joseph Boyer attempts to acquire the Adder Machine Company
The Ford Motor Company produces a business car equipped with a special rack large enough to carry an adding machine. The car is known as the “Burroughs Special."
1907
The 50,000th Burroughs machine is manufactured.
1908
Burroughs acquires the Universal Adding Machine Company of Missouri.
Burroughs buys English licensee company.
1909
Modern Business, an English office journal, says of the Burroughs adding machine it has just purchased, “It brings mechanical skill almost to the point of human intelligence…. it is amazing, but it is true."
Burroughs acquires the Pike Adding Machine Company of New Jersey.
1910
The first “duplex” adding machine, featuring both subtotals and grand totals, is placed on the market.
The manufacturing of the Pike machines was moved to the Detroit facility.
1911
The first subtracting-adding machine is produced. It is regarded as a major forward step for bank postings.
The first model of a Burroughs calculator is introduced. Bearing a striking similarity to the Felt & Tarrant machine, litigation soon followed.
1912
New salesmen receive four weeks of training in the operation and application of Burroughs machines.
1916
Burroughs Clearing House magazine publication begins.
1917
Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Canada, Ltd., in Winsor, Ontario, (20 miles from the Detroit home office) is organized.
1918
Burroughs introduces a deluxe bookkeeping machine priced at $1,150 and equipped with a chain-drive motor return carriage.
Construction begins on a five-floor building adjacent to the main factory in Detroit. This building was later rebuilt to become the World Headquarters for the Burroughs Corporation in 1966.
1920
A total of 800,000 machines have been sold worldwide and employment has reached 12,000.
Standish Backus is elected president, succeeding Joseph Boyer.
Worldwide employment reaches 12,000.
1921
Burroughs purchases the Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine Company of Missouri, and the Moon-Hopkins machine is redesigned and improved. The machine combines an electronic typewriter with a calculating machine. In the service ranks, the “Moon” as it was called, was a departure from past numeric-only machines.
1924
Burroughs issues stock and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Burroughs establishes major operations in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
1925
Burroughs introduces the “Burroughs Portable” adding machine, weighing less than 20 lbs. and selling for less than $100. Two hundred a day are produced in Detroit and 22,000 are sold in the first eight months following release.
Societe Anoyme Burroughs at Brussels, Belgium, is organized.
Burroughs machines are being sold in 60 countries. Special non-decimal machines are being built and used in a variety of applications: by grocers in Petrograd, Russia, by clerks of the East Bengel Railway in India
and the DeBeers diamond mines in Africa, and by Argentine cattle auctioneers.
1926
The one-millionth Burroughs machine is produced at the Detroit Plant.
A new series of Burroughs bookkeeping machines is introduced. It includes a “duplex subtractor” and “multiple register.”
1927
Burroughs opens the Burroughs Farms as a Detroit-area employee recreation facility near Brighton, Michigan.
1928
Burroughs introduces the first electric key-actuated alculating machines.
Deutsche Burroughs Rechenmaschinen, A.G. at Berlin, Germany, is organized.
1929
Burroughs establishes major operations in Australia, Austria, Denmark, New Zealand, the Philippine Islands, South Africa, and Switzerland.
1930
Burroughs introduces a new “Passbook Machine” for savings bank bookkeeping.
1931
Burroughs introduces the “Burroughs Standard Typewriter” at national business shows in New York and Chicago.
1933
The first duplex electric calculator is released.
1935
The Burroughs product line now includes 450 standard models.
1938
A major manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Michigan is completed and occupied.
1940
Burroughs begins manufacturing a “service model” portable adding machine in khaki color for the government. Later production in Army green included a special keyboard with features for dust and spark protection.
1942
Burroughs production of machines, like automobile production, is now restricted to the needs of the Army, Navy, lend-lease program, and war contractors. Production of the Norden bombsight begins.
1943
Standish Backus resigns as president of the Company because of ill health. He is succeeded by Alfred
J. Doughty.
1944
Burroughs is awarded an Army-Navy “E” for outstanding achievement.
1946
Burroughs efforts are again directed toward the commercial business machine market. Forty-six
new models are introduced in this year.
James S. Coleman succeeds Alfred J. Doughty as president.
1947
The Burroughs “B” trademark is adopted.
1948
The Company’s revenues exceed $100 million and its bookkeeping machines are used by an estimated 14,000 banks.
Contract completed with Bell & Howell Company, Chicago, for Burroughs to sell and service their products.
1949
Burroughs acquires Mittag & Volger and Acme Carbon & Ribbon Company.
Permanent facilities are established for electronic research and development in the Philadelphia area.
1950
The first Sensimatic accounting machine with programmed control panel is released. It is considered the greatest advance in accounting machines in 25 years.
1951
Burroughs Electronic Accounting Machine, named BEAM, begins development. It is the first reach
toward computer development at Burroughs.
F 200 and F 300 Sensimatic bookkeeping machines were released.
1952
Burroughs builds an electronic memory system for the ENIAC computer, the worlds first electronic digital computer.
Burroughs Ticketeer ticketing systems enter pilot installations at railroads.
P 400 multiple total adding machine released.
1953
The Company’s name is changed from the Burroughs Adding Machine Company to the Burroughs Corporation.
Burroughs delivers UDEC (Unitized Digital Electronic Computer) to the Wayne State University Computation Lab in Detroit. UDEC weighs several tons, contains 10 miles of wire and cable, and uses 3,000 vacuum tubes and 7,000 transistors.
Director line of full keyboard adding machines was introduced.
1954
Burroughs new Research Center in Paoli, Pennsylvania, is opened.
Burroughs introduces the E101 desk-size electronic digital computer for scientific engineering and business applications. The system, which sells for $30,000, includes a magnetic drum memory.
Burroughs new Sensimatic bank posting machine, embodying a number of automatic features, is introduced.
Burroughs acquires Haydu Brothers of Plainfield, New Jersey, manufacturers of vacuum tubes and other electronic components, to produce special purpose electronic tubes for data display which have resulted from research at the Paoli laboratory.
Ten Key adding machine introduced.
F 50, F 214, and F 212 Sensimatics were released.
P 600 "Director" bookkeeping machine introduced.
Series G high speed printing and accounting machine released.
1955
Burroughs announces the Sensitronic financial accounting machine which reads from and writes on magnetic striped ledger cards and effectively doubles back posting production.
Burroughs receives contracts from the U.S. Air Force and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to
build radar data processing equipment for use in SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment), a system designed to protect the continental United States from enemy air attack.
Automatic bank bookkeeping systems are introduced. These units - an imprinter, a coder, and a sorter - are designed to bring a high degree of automation to check processing.
Burroughs acquires the Todd Company of Rochester, New York, a major supplier of checks, business forms, and check writers and signers.
The Company's total revenues exceed $200 million for the first time, reaching $218.6 million.
E 101 desk-size computer went into production.
1956
Burroughs acquires the ElectroData Corporation of Pasadena, California, a leading producer of computing hardware.
Burroughs is awarded an Air Force contract to develop a transistorized guidance computer to direct the launch of the Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
The Company's Great Valley Laboratories, four miles from the Central Laboratory at Paoli, are opened.
1957
Burroughs develops the Nixie electronic readout tube for electronic display of alphanumeric information. It is to become the industry's most widely used in-line display device.
The Datatron 200 is introduced. The high-speed, large-scale computer rents for $15,000 monthly and has 20 times the productivity capacity of its price competitors. It has internal magnetic core memory.
Burroughs delivers the first ground guidance computer to the Air Force at Cape Canaveral, Florida, for use in guiding the launch of early Atlas ICBM. It is the world's first operational transistorized computer. A later version will guide the launch of every American astronaut to orbit the earth in the Mercury and Gemini programs.
Burroughs 220 Computer System was announced.
1958
Ray R. Eppert succeeds John S. Coleman as president of the Company after the latter's death.
Burroughs is awarded contracts of more than $37 million to manufacturer additional Atlas missile guidance computers for Air Force space flight and ballistic missile launch sites.
The United States Post Office awards Burroughs a $1.2 million contract for design, development, and production of automatic letter-sorting machines. Each letter-sorter sorts 43,000 letters per hour.
Deliveries of Burroughs 220 Electronic Data Processing Systems began.
1959
The U.S. Air Force selects Burroughs as program manager for the ALRI (Airborne Long Range Input) program, a system for extending the SAGE air defense network seaward by placing radar and data processing equipment aboard aircraft.
Burroughs introduces the B 251 visible record computer. The system reads data from checks and other financial documents, then automatically updates a customer's printer account record in a fraction of a second.
Burroughs Atlas guidance computers sets records for reliability, averaging .988 percent in field operations.
F 2000, F 4000, F 5000 systems ramp up deliveries.
K 202 Ticketeer systems being delivered.
P 1150 Tape Punch Cash Registers are being delivered.
S 203 Electrostatic Teleprinter is being developed for the US Air Force.
1960
Burroughs digital computers are delivered to the U.S. Navy for use in its Polaris program. The "stabilization data computers" will provide a high degree of accuracy for navigation systems of nuclear-powered, Polaris- firing submarines.
RVD (Radar Video Digitizer) and RVDP (Radar Video Data Processor) are developed in conjunction with Burroughs-FAA air traffic control study. Both systems change radar signals into digitized impulses that can be fed into a computer as useful data, allowing FAA flight controllers to instantly see approaching aircraft in crowded airport patterns.
1961
Burroughs electronic ground guidance computer successfully guides Atlas, Mercury, and Ranger vehicles into orbit. Since their installation at Cape Canaveral in 1957, they have never caused mission failure, error, or delay.
Burroughs is named by the U.S. Air Force as hardware contractor for the NORAD Combat Operations
Center in Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Company will design and install a giant computer complex and data display system for split-second evaluation of threats to the North American continent, using input from satellites and radar throughout the world.
The Company announces its B 5000 solid state modular data processing system, which is considered the most advanced business and scientific computer offered by any manufacturer. Departing from traditional concepts of electronic computer design, the B 5000 is the first computer designed especially for automatic programming or the exclusive use of compiler languages. The B 5000 is later to be regarded as a decade ahead of its time in terms of competitive systems design due to its advanced features including "virtual memory."
Burroughs introduces the B 200 series of small to medium scale solid state computers.
F 6000 Sensimatic systems released.
1962
Burroughs is presented President Kennedy's E for Export award for significant contributions to the national export program.
The U.S. Air Force orders 17 D 825 systems for the BUIC (Back-Up Interceptor Control) continental air defense network, a back-up system to SAGE.
A Burroughs guidance computer guides Project Mercury astronauts John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and Wally Schirra into earth orbit and steers Ranger IV on its successful flight to the moon.
1963
Burroughs released the B 5000 featuring automatic multi-programming, and virtual memory.
T 100 MICR Exception encoder was released.
Burroughs Disk File system released.
P 1100 tape punch registers released.
1964
E 2100 accounting computer released.
B 5500 modular data processing system released. The system accurately projects national election results in the U.S. before polls close.
E 2190 strip ledger computer released.
B 370 proof and transit systems released.
T 100 MICR encoder system released.
Series J Ten Key Adders released.
Series P full key adders released.
1965
B 8500 large scale computer system released.
E 1100 electronic accounting machine was introduced.
T 415 consecutive numbering system was released.
B 606 Teller console released.
J 700 multiplying ten key adder was released.
B 300 data processing system released.
1966
Burroughs Clearing House magazine for banks celebrates 50 years of publication.
1968
B 500 Computer system introduced.
TC 500 terminal computer announced.
F 9000 accounting system released.
C 3000 line of electronic calculators released.
T 600 Encoding machine released.
T 800 Check signer released.
1969
L 2000 mini computer released.
L 300, L 4000, L 5000 and L 7000 mini computers released.
B 2500 & B 3500 medium scale systems released.
F 9000 deliveries start.
RT 1100 and RT 1200 currency dispensing systems announced.
E 8000 systems released.
A 149, A 150, A 160 punch card equipment released.
Series N keyboard to tape products released.
1970
Burroughs entered the office automation marketplace.
S 1000 document management systems were released.
TU 500 Terminal released.
B 4700 system released.
Panaplex Panel Display released.
C 3317 programmable calculator released.
C 3146 ultra small electronic calculator released.
T 1000 Exception item encoder released.
P 7715 teller and cash controller released.
TU 920 terminal controller released.
TA 211, TA 212, TA 213 data sets released.
DC 1000 data communication system released.
TC 1500 & TC 2500 terminal computers released.
S 100 first deliveries.
A 130 Card sorter released.
B 5700, B 6700, B 7700 computer systems released.
B 4500 medium scale system released.
1971
New World Headquarters complex opens in Detroit, MI
C 3660 Programmable calculator released.
T 8000 Check signer released.
TC 1700 Terminal released.
TU 300 terminal released.
1972
Revenue tops $1 billion.
ILLIAC ll delivered to NASA.
L 8000 and TC 3500 systems released.
B 6700 large system released.
C 5000 electronic calculator released.
TU 700 teller terminal system released.
RT 3000, RT 4000 full service teller systems released.
TD 700 and TD 800 terminals released.
PC 900 card data equipment released.
B 1700 computer system released.
1973
B 7700 shipments began.
B 1728 small system released.
B 700 small system released.
TCS 1000 system announced.
AE 300 Audit entry system released.
C 6203 pre-programmed calculator announced.
C 7200 programmable calculator announced.
1974
Burroughs wins international telecommunications network contract from S.W.I.F.T.
TT 100 printing and display system announced.
TR 100 Transaction recording systems released.
S 1000 encoding and proofing systems released.
TC 600, TC 750, TC 1600, TC 2600, TC 3600 terminal computers announced.
TD 820 input and display terminal announced.
B 774 processor released.
L 6000, L 8800, L 8900 series small computers released.
B 1718 small computer released.
B 4790 Medium system released.
B 7750 large system released.
1975
Burroughs acquires Graphic Sciences, Inc. of Danbury, CT.
TC 4000 and TC 5000 printing terminal systems were released.
B 776 system released.
L 9000 mini computer family released.
TC 3800 terminal released.
AE 501 Audit entry system released.
S 400, S 451, and S 500 encoding equipment released.
TU 1700 full service teller system.
TT 602 Transaction system released.
C 6451 metric conversion calculator released.
C 2400 and C 2050 calculators were released.
T 9150 High Speed Check signer released.
DEX 4100 automatic transceiver released.
Self Scan ll Display panels released.
1976
Burroughs announces the release of the B 80 series of very small-scale computers, the B 800 series of small- scale computers, the B 1800 series of medium scale computers, the B 6800 series of medium to large scale computers and the B 7800 series of very large scale computer systems.
The company introduced the Burroughs Scientific Processor (BSP).
New models of the L 9000 systems were released.
TD 730 and TD 830 terminals were announced.
AE 400 and AE 500 microprogramed processors were released.
The RT 5000 ATM was announced.
TU 1800 teller terminals were released.
S 1700, S 1800, S 1900 Optical Recognition Systems released.
C7400 programable calculator released.
DEX 700 fax machine released.
1977
Revenue tops $2 billion.
B 2810 and B 2815 systems were added to the B 2800 series.
B 9138 High speed reader sorter released.
S 700 document management system released.
1978
REDACTOR ll system released.
High speed DEX 5100 system released.
EA 2300 Wide form electronic calculator released.
1979
Introduction of the "900" family of computer systems.
B 90 series of small systems released.
B 2900 and B 3900 medium size systems released.
B 900 system released.
CP 9400 and CP 9500 network processor systems released.
S 3000 document processor system released.
1980
Burroughs acquired System Development Corporation, a leading information systems supplier for the federal government.
900 family of computers was released.
BMT Terminal family was released.
B 5900 computer was released.
B 900 small business computer family was released.
S 4900 multi pocket proof system was released.
B 9190 document processor was released.
S 4100 multi-pocket proof machine was released.
1981
B 3955 medium system was introduced.
B 9195 document processor was released.
CP 3680 data communications system released.
1982
Burroughs acquires Memorex Corporation to bring Burroughs first-rate capability in computer storage devices.
Mid-level B 4900 released.
B 7900 large scale system released.
CP 9580 Communications processor was released.
B 20 entry level workstations.
1983
ET 1100 terminal products released.
ET 2000 Desktop Computer released.
B 95 Small Business Computer released.
B 1990 System released.
B 2925 Mid-range system released.
1984
Plans for expanding World Headquarters complex announced.
A 3 computer system released.
B 25 workstations released.
XE 500 Processor released.
A series mainframes introduced with release of the A9.
B 1900 Systems released.
1985
Burroughs has operations in 100 countries, $5 billion in annual sales, 65,000 employees. New corporate identity program and trademark introduced; centennial celebrated.
1986
Burroughs Corporation and Sperry Corporation announce the merger of the companies.
New name for the corporation selected using employee suggestions in a employee contest. Unisys becomes the company's new name.
1987
Three new document processing systems were released - S 4000/20, S 695, and S 6000.
5000/PCS Production Control System was released.
1988
Ill Winds - a Federal investigation of unethical activities of Defense Systems business acquired from Sperry.
2200/400 mid range computers announced. 2200/600 mainframe systems announced.
System 80 Model 15 mainframe announced.
1989
Unisys released the first multi-user desktop mainframe - The Micro A.
Unisys introduced support service CUSTOMCARE service and Unisys SURETY.
1991
Unisys introduces the high-end A 19 mainframe system.
Unisys introduces the high-end 2200/900 system.
1992
Unisys introduces the mid-range A 11 system with a new open architecture.
This information has been gathered from many Burroughs documents, including annual reports.
The following is a chronology of events.
1858
William Seward Burroughs was born in Rochester, New York on January 28th, 1858.
1877
William Seward Burroughs moves with his father to Auburn, New York, so that his father could find William a position as a Bank Clerk in the Auburn Bank. Burroughs spent the next five years working there.
1882
William moves to St. Louis and took up his father's occupation as a mechanic.
1884
Burroughs decided to start development of an adding machine with $700 financing from Thomas Metcalf. This development effort work was accomplished at a machine shop owned by Joseph Boyer at 240 Dickson Street in St. Louis.
1885
The first workable adding and listing machine is built and patented in St. Lewis, Missouri, by William Seward Burroughs. W. S. Burroughs files first patent application.
Burroughs Adding and Registering Company Limited was established in Nottingham, England.
1886
The American Arithmometer Company is formed on January 21st.
The sales of the first adding and listing machine of the American Arithmometer Company began at a price
of $475 each.
Thomas Metcalfe was elected the first president of the American Arithmometer Company.
1888
Burroughs secured his first patent for a key-set recording and adding machine.
The company's first manufacturing location outside the United States was opened in Nottingham, England.
1889
The first ten machines from a ordered lot of 50 were delivered from the Boyer Machine Shop on July 8.
1890
First machines demonstrated in banks in New York and St. Lewis.
Burroughs invented the "automatic control", or Dashpot, in the fall of 1890.
W. S. Burroughs sails to England with a new model developed to tabulate English currency in an effort to attract investors.
1891
A new contract was established with the Boyer Machine Shop for 100 machines on November 23.
Charles E. Barney becomes the second president of the American Arithmometer Company.
First advertisement - The Burroughs Registering Accountant.
1892
On May 28th a contract was made with Thomas Lawson to organize the Commercial Adding Machine Company to sell Burroughs machines in the United States and Canada. The contract was cancelled in the fall of the year. The contract was reassigned to Willis C. Walker with the agreement that his company would sell nine-bank Burroughs machines for $495.00.
1984
The sales contract with Willis Walker was terminated in April 1894 when Burroughs began to market their machines directly.
1895
Total sales for 1895 were 284 machines.
First dividend is paid to stockholders.
Company licenses patents and marketing rights for non-U.S. markets to English firm.
Mr. Boyer erected a two story building at 21st and Wash Streets in St. Louis. Lower portion of the building housed the Boyer Machine Shop, and the upper portion was used for the American Arithmometer Company offices.
The name of the machines was changed from "Registering Accountant" or "Arithmometer" to "Burroughs Adding and Listing Machines".
Late in the year, Boyer moved his machine shop to Detroit, MI. The St. Louis building was then totally occupied by the American Arithmometer Company.
1898
William Seward Burroughs dies at Citronelle, Alabama on September 14, 1898. He was buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
1900
Total sales for 1900 were 972 machines.
Won gold medal at the Paris Exposition.
1902
Joseph Boyer became the third and last president of the American Arithmometer Company.
1903
Joseph Boyer secretly enters into an agreement to acquire the Addograph Manufacturing Company, whose director is Hubert Hopkins. The name Hopkins later becomes famous for the Moon–Hopkins machine.
James Dalton, president of the Addograph Company, formed the Adding Typewriter Company that same year. It was later called the Dalton Adding Machine Company.
1904
The Company moves to Detroit from St. Louis in October with all employees in one day on a special train called the "Clover Leaf Express."
1905
The American Arithmometer Company reorganizes as the Burroughs Adding Machine Company on January 14th.
Total sales for 1905 was 7,804 machines.
Employment rises to 1,200.
1906
Joseph Boyer attempts to acquire the Adder Machine Company
The Ford Motor Company produces a business car equipped with a special rack large enough to carry an adding machine. The car is known as the “Burroughs Special."
1907
The 50,000th Burroughs machine is manufactured.
1908
Burroughs acquires the Universal Adding Machine Company of Missouri.
Burroughs buys English licensee company.
1909
Modern Business, an English office journal, says of the Burroughs adding machine it has just purchased, “It brings mechanical skill almost to the point of human intelligence…. it is amazing, but it is true."
Burroughs acquires the Pike Adding Machine Company of New Jersey.
1910
The first “duplex” adding machine, featuring both subtotals and grand totals, is placed on the market.
The manufacturing of the Pike machines was moved to the Detroit facility.
1911
The first subtracting-adding machine is produced. It is regarded as a major forward step for bank postings.
The first model of a Burroughs calculator is introduced. Bearing a striking similarity to the Felt & Tarrant machine, litigation soon followed.
1912
New salesmen receive four weeks of training in the operation and application of Burroughs machines.
1916
Burroughs Clearing House magazine publication begins.
1917
Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Canada, Ltd., in Winsor, Ontario, (20 miles from the Detroit home office) is organized.
1918
Burroughs introduces a deluxe bookkeeping machine priced at $1,150 and equipped with a chain-drive motor return carriage.
Construction begins on a five-floor building adjacent to the main factory in Detroit. This building was later rebuilt to become the World Headquarters for the Burroughs Corporation in 1966.
1920
A total of 800,000 machines have been sold worldwide and employment has reached 12,000.
Standish Backus is elected president, succeeding Joseph Boyer.
Worldwide employment reaches 12,000.
1921
Burroughs purchases the Moon-Hopkins Billing Machine Company of Missouri, and the Moon-Hopkins machine is redesigned and improved. The machine combines an electronic typewriter with a calculating machine. In the service ranks, the “Moon” as it was called, was a departure from past numeric-only machines.
1924
Burroughs issues stock and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Burroughs establishes major operations in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
1925
Burroughs introduces the “Burroughs Portable” adding machine, weighing less than 20 lbs. and selling for less than $100. Two hundred a day are produced in Detroit and 22,000 are sold in the first eight months following release.
Societe Anoyme Burroughs at Brussels, Belgium, is organized.
Burroughs machines are being sold in 60 countries. Special non-decimal machines are being built and used in a variety of applications: by grocers in Petrograd, Russia, by clerks of the East Bengel Railway in India
and the DeBeers diamond mines in Africa, and by Argentine cattle auctioneers.
1926
The one-millionth Burroughs machine is produced at the Detroit Plant.
A new series of Burroughs bookkeeping machines is introduced. It includes a “duplex subtractor” and “multiple register.”
1927
Burroughs opens the Burroughs Farms as a Detroit-area employee recreation facility near Brighton, Michigan.
1928
Burroughs introduces the first electric key-actuated alculating machines.
Deutsche Burroughs Rechenmaschinen, A.G. at Berlin, Germany, is organized.
1929
Burroughs establishes major operations in Australia, Austria, Denmark, New Zealand, the Philippine Islands, South Africa, and Switzerland.
1930
Burroughs introduces a new “Passbook Machine” for savings bank bookkeeping.
1931
Burroughs introduces the “Burroughs Standard Typewriter” at national business shows in New York and Chicago.
1933
The first duplex electric calculator is released.
1935
The Burroughs product line now includes 450 standard models.
1938
A major manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Michigan is completed and occupied.
1940
Burroughs begins manufacturing a “service model” portable adding machine in khaki color for the government. Later production in Army green included a special keyboard with features for dust and spark protection.
1942
Burroughs production of machines, like automobile production, is now restricted to the needs of the Army, Navy, lend-lease program, and war contractors. Production of the Norden bombsight begins.
1943
Standish Backus resigns as president of the Company because of ill health. He is succeeded by Alfred
J. Doughty.
1944
Burroughs is awarded an Army-Navy “E” for outstanding achievement.
1946
Burroughs efforts are again directed toward the commercial business machine market. Forty-six
new models are introduced in this year.
James S. Coleman succeeds Alfred J. Doughty as president.
1947
The Burroughs “B” trademark is adopted.
1948
The Company’s revenues exceed $100 million and its bookkeeping machines are used by an estimated 14,000 banks.
Contract completed with Bell & Howell Company, Chicago, for Burroughs to sell and service their products.
1949
Burroughs acquires Mittag & Volger and Acme Carbon & Ribbon Company.
Permanent facilities are established for electronic research and development in the Philadelphia area.
1950
The first Sensimatic accounting machine with programmed control panel is released. It is considered the greatest advance in accounting machines in 25 years.
1951
Burroughs Electronic Accounting Machine, named BEAM, begins development. It is the first reach
toward computer development at Burroughs.
F 200 and F 300 Sensimatic bookkeeping machines were released.
1952
Burroughs builds an electronic memory system for the ENIAC computer, the worlds first electronic digital computer.
Burroughs Ticketeer ticketing systems enter pilot installations at railroads.
P 400 multiple total adding machine released.
1953
The Company’s name is changed from the Burroughs Adding Machine Company to the Burroughs Corporation.
Burroughs delivers UDEC (Unitized Digital Electronic Computer) to the Wayne State University Computation Lab in Detroit. UDEC weighs several tons, contains 10 miles of wire and cable, and uses 3,000 vacuum tubes and 7,000 transistors.
Director line of full keyboard adding machines was introduced.
1954
Burroughs new Research Center in Paoli, Pennsylvania, is opened.
Burroughs introduces the E101 desk-size electronic digital computer for scientific engineering and business applications. The system, which sells for $30,000, includes a magnetic drum memory.
Burroughs new Sensimatic bank posting machine, embodying a number of automatic features, is introduced.
Burroughs acquires Haydu Brothers of Plainfield, New Jersey, manufacturers of vacuum tubes and other electronic components, to produce special purpose electronic tubes for data display which have resulted from research at the Paoli laboratory.
Ten Key adding machine introduced.
F 50, F 214, and F 212 Sensimatics were released.
P 600 "Director" bookkeeping machine introduced.
Series G high speed printing and accounting machine released.
1955
Burroughs announces the Sensitronic financial accounting machine which reads from and writes on magnetic striped ledger cards and effectively doubles back posting production.
Burroughs receives contracts from the U.S. Air Force and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to
build radar data processing equipment for use in SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment), a system designed to protect the continental United States from enemy air attack.
Automatic bank bookkeeping systems are introduced. These units - an imprinter, a coder, and a sorter - are designed to bring a high degree of automation to check processing.
Burroughs acquires the Todd Company of Rochester, New York, a major supplier of checks, business forms, and check writers and signers.
The Company's total revenues exceed $200 million for the first time, reaching $218.6 million.
E 101 desk-size computer went into production.
1956
Burroughs acquires the ElectroData Corporation of Pasadena, California, a leading producer of computing hardware.
Burroughs is awarded an Air Force contract to develop a transistorized guidance computer to direct the launch of the Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
The Company's Great Valley Laboratories, four miles from the Central Laboratory at Paoli, are opened.
1957
Burroughs develops the Nixie electronic readout tube for electronic display of alphanumeric information. It is to become the industry's most widely used in-line display device.
The Datatron 200 is introduced. The high-speed, large-scale computer rents for $15,000 monthly and has 20 times the productivity capacity of its price competitors. It has internal magnetic core memory.
Burroughs delivers the first ground guidance computer to the Air Force at Cape Canaveral, Florida, for use in guiding the launch of early Atlas ICBM. It is the world's first operational transistorized computer. A later version will guide the launch of every American astronaut to orbit the earth in the Mercury and Gemini programs.
Burroughs 220 Computer System was announced.
1958
Ray R. Eppert succeeds John S. Coleman as president of the Company after the latter's death.
Burroughs is awarded contracts of more than $37 million to manufacturer additional Atlas missile guidance computers for Air Force space flight and ballistic missile launch sites.
The United States Post Office awards Burroughs a $1.2 million contract for design, development, and production of automatic letter-sorting machines. Each letter-sorter sorts 43,000 letters per hour.
Deliveries of Burroughs 220 Electronic Data Processing Systems began.
1959
The U.S. Air Force selects Burroughs as program manager for the ALRI (Airborne Long Range Input) program, a system for extending the SAGE air defense network seaward by placing radar and data processing equipment aboard aircraft.
Burroughs introduces the B 251 visible record computer. The system reads data from checks and other financial documents, then automatically updates a customer's printer account record in a fraction of a second.
Burroughs Atlas guidance computers sets records for reliability, averaging .988 percent in field operations.
F 2000, F 4000, F 5000 systems ramp up deliveries.
K 202 Ticketeer systems being delivered.
P 1150 Tape Punch Cash Registers are being delivered.
S 203 Electrostatic Teleprinter is being developed for the US Air Force.
1960
Burroughs digital computers are delivered to the U.S. Navy for use in its Polaris program. The "stabilization data computers" will provide a high degree of accuracy for navigation systems of nuclear-powered, Polaris- firing submarines.
RVD (Radar Video Digitizer) and RVDP (Radar Video Data Processor) are developed in conjunction with Burroughs-FAA air traffic control study. Both systems change radar signals into digitized impulses that can be fed into a computer as useful data, allowing FAA flight controllers to instantly see approaching aircraft in crowded airport patterns.
1961
Burroughs electronic ground guidance computer successfully guides Atlas, Mercury, and Ranger vehicles into orbit. Since their installation at Cape Canaveral in 1957, they have never caused mission failure, error, or delay.
Burroughs is named by the U.S. Air Force as hardware contractor for the NORAD Combat Operations
Center in Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Company will design and install a giant computer complex and data display system for split-second evaluation of threats to the North American continent, using input from satellites and radar throughout the world.
The Company announces its B 5000 solid state modular data processing system, which is considered the most advanced business and scientific computer offered by any manufacturer. Departing from traditional concepts of electronic computer design, the B 5000 is the first computer designed especially for automatic programming or the exclusive use of compiler languages. The B 5000 is later to be regarded as a decade ahead of its time in terms of competitive systems design due to its advanced features including "virtual memory."
Burroughs introduces the B 200 series of small to medium scale solid state computers.
F 6000 Sensimatic systems released.
1962
Burroughs is presented President Kennedy's E for Export award for significant contributions to the national export program.
The U.S. Air Force orders 17 D 825 systems for the BUIC (Back-Up Interceptor Control) continental air defense network, a back-up system to SAGE.
A Burroughs guidance computer guides Project Mercury astronauts John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and Wally Schirra into earth orbit and steers Ranger IV on its successful flight to the moon.
1963
Burroughs released the B 5000 featuring automatic multi-programming, and virtual memory.
T 100 MICR Exception encoder was released.
Burroughs Disk File system released.
P 1100 tape punch registers released.
1964
E 2100 accounting computer released.
B 5500 modular data processing system released. The system accurately projects national election results in the U.S. before polls close.
E 2190 strip ledger computer released.
B 370 proof and transit systems released.
T 100 MICR encoder system released.
Series J Ten Key Adders released.
Series P full key adders released.
1965
B 8500 large scale computer system released.
E 1100 electronic accounting machine was introduced.
T 415 consecutive numbering system was released.
B 606 Teller console released.
J 700 multiplying ten key adder was released.
B 300 data processing system released.
1966
Burroughs Clearing House magazine for banks celebrates 50 years of publication.
1968
B 500 Computer system introduced.
TC 500 terminal computer announced.
F 9000 accounting system released.
C 3000 line of electronic calculators released.
T 600 Encoding machine released.
T 800 Check signer released.
1969
L 2000 mini computer released.
L 300, L 4000, L 5000 and L 7000 mini computers released.
B 2500 & B 3500 medium scale systems released.
F 9000 deliveries start.
RT 1100 and RT 1200 currency dispensing systems announced.
E 8000 systems released.
A 149, A 150, A 160 punch card equipment released.
Series N keyboard to tape products released.
1970
Burroughs entered the office automation marketplace.
S 1000 document management systems were released.
TU 500 Terminal released.
B 4700 system released.
Panaplex Panel Display released.
C 3317 programmable calculator released.
C 3146 ultra small electronic calculator released.
T 1000 Exception item encoder released.
P 7715 teller and cash controller released.
TU 920 terminal controller released.
TA 211, TA 212, TA 213 data sets released.
DC 1000 data communication system released.
TC 1500 & TC 2500 terminal computers released.
S 100 first deliveries.
A 130 Card sorter released.
B 5700, B 6700, B 7700 computer systems released.
B 4500 medium scale system released.
1971
New World Headquarters complex opens in Detroit, MI
C 3660 Programmable calculator released.
T 8000 Check signer released.
TC 1700 Terminal released.
TU 300 terminal released.
1972
Revenue tops $1 billion.
ILLIAC ll delivered to NASA.
L 8000 and TC 3500 systems released.
B 6700 large system released.
C 5000 electronic calculator released.
TU 700 teller terminal system released.
RT 3000, RT 4000 full service teller systems released.
TD 700 and TD 800 terminals released.
PC 900 card data equipment released.
B 1700 computer system released.
1973
B 7700 shipments began.
B 1728 small system released.
B 700 small system released.
TCS 1000 system announced.
AE 300 Audit entry system released.
C 6203 pre-programmed calculator announced.
C 7200 programmable calculator announced.
1974
Burroughs wins international telecommunications network contract from S.W.I.F.T.
TT 100 printing and display system announced.
TR 100 Transaction recording systems released.
S 1000 encoding and proofing systems released.
TC 600, TC 750, TC 1600, TC 2600, TC 3600 terminal computers announced.
TD 820 input and display terminal announced.
B 774 processor released.
L 6000, L 8800, L 8900 series small computers released.
B 1718 small computer released.
B 4790 Medium system released.
B 7750 large system released.
1975
Burroughs acquires Graphic Sciences, Inc. of Danbury, CT.
TC 4000 and TC 5000 printing terminal systems were released.
B 776 system released.
L 9000 mini computer family released.
TC 3800 terminal released.
AE 501 Audit entry system released.
S 400, S 451, and S 500 encoding equipment released.
TU 1700 full service teller system.
TT 602 Transaction system released.
C 6451 metric conversion calculator released.
C 2400 and C 2050 calculators were released.
T 9150 High Speed Check signer released.
DEX 4100 automatic transceiver released.
Self Scan ll Display panels released.
1976
Burroughs announces the release of the B 80 series of very small-scale computers, the B 800 series of small- scale computers, the B 1800 series of medium scale computers, the B 6800 series of medium to large scale computers and the B 7800 series of very large scale computer systems.
The company introduced the Burroughs Scientific Processor (BSP).
New models of the L 9000 systems were released.
TD 730 and TD 830 terminals were announced.
AE 400 and AE 500 microprogramed processors were released.
The RT 5000 ATM was announced.
TU 1800 teller terminals were released.
S 1700, S 1800, S 1900 Optical Recognition Systems released.
C7400 programable calculator released.
DEX 700 fax machine released.
1977
Revenue tops $2 billion.
B 2810 and B 2815 systems were added to the B 2800 series.
B 9138 High speed reader sorter released.
S 700 document management system released.
1978
REDACTOR ll system released.
High speed DEX 5100 system released.
EA 2300 Wide form electronic calculator released.
1979
Introduction of the "900" family of computer systems.
B 90 series of small systems released.
B 2900 and B 3900 medium size systems released.
B 900 system released.
CP 9400 and CP 9500 network processor systems released.
S 3000 document processor system released.
1980
Burroughs acquired System Development Corporation, a leading information systems supplier for the federal government.
900 family of computers was released.
BMT Terminal family was released.
B 5900 computer was released.
B 900 small business computer family was released.
S 4900 multi pocket proof system was released.
B 9190 document processor was released.
S 4100 multi-pocket proof machine was released.
1981
B 3955 medium system was introduced.
B 9195 document processor was released.
CP 3680 data communications system released.
1982
Burroughs acquires Memorex Corporation to bring Burroughs first-rate capability in computer storage devices.
Mid-level B 4900 released.
B 7900 large scale system released.
CP 9580 Communications processor was released.
B 20 entry level workstations.
1983
ET 1100 terminal products released.
ET 2000 Desktop Computer released.
B 95 Small Business Computer released.
B 1990 System released.
B 2925 Mid-range system released.
1984
Plans for expanding World Headquarters complex announced.
A 3 computer system released.
B 25 workstations released.
XE 500 Processor released.
A series mainframes introduced with release of the A9.
B 1900 Systems released.
1985
Burroughs has operations in 100 countries, $5 billion in annual sales, 65,000 employees. New corporate identity program and trademark introduced; centennial celebrated.
1986
Burroughs Corporation and Sperry Corporation announce the merger of the companies.
New name for the corporation selected using employee suggestions in a employee contest. Unisys becomes the company's new name.
1987
Three new document processing systems were released - S 4000/20, S 695, and S 6000.
5000/PCS Production Control System was released.
1988
Ill Winds - a Federal investigation of unethical activities of Defense Systems business acquired from Sperry.
2200/400 mid range computers announced. 2200/600 mainframe systems announced.
System 80 Model 15 mainframe announced.
1989
Unisys released the first multi-user desktop mainframe - The Micro A.
Unisys introduced support service CUSTOMCARE service and Unisys SURETY.
1991
Unisys introduces the high-end A 19 mainframe system.
Unisys introduces the high-end 2200/900 system.
1992
Unisys introduces the mid-range A 11 system with a new open architecture.