Gear and Lever Voting Machine, 1978
Add to SetSummary
Gear and lever voting machines were the quintessential method of voting for two generations of Americans, from the 1920s through the 1980s. These high tech devices tabulated votes mechanically. Considered scientific and reliable, they were relatively tamper proof and allowed for completely secret balloting. However, they were complicated devices that required constant maintenance and could contribute to undercounting.
Gear and lever voting machines were the quintessential method of voting for two generations of Americans, from the 1920s through the 1980s. These high tech devices tabulated votes mechanically. Considered scientific and reliable, they were relatively tamper proof and allowed for completely secret balloting. However, they were complicated devices that required constant maintenance and could contribute to undercounting.
Artifact
Voting-machine
Date Made
1978
Creators
Automatic Voting Machine Corporation
Place of Creation
United States, New York, Jamestown
Creator Notes
Made by Automatic Voting Machine Corporation, Jamestown, New York.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2009.170.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Roger Mumbrue.
Material
Metal
Rubber (Material)
Cloth
Color
Teal
Dimensions
Height: 49.75 in
Width: 58.75 in
Length: 20 in
Inscriptions
On front plate: AUTOMATIC/ VOTING MACHINE/ PRINTOMATIC®/ MADE BY AVM/ CORPORTATION®/ JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK/ PROTECTED BY U.S.A. AND FOREIGN PATENTS AND PATENTS PENDING On side plates: 169778 On side plate: PROTECTIVE COUNTER/ RECORD THIS NUMBER BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTION On back plate above lock: TO OPERATE THIS LOCK/ RED SEGMENT OF MACHINE/ CONTROL LOCK MUST BE DOWN On tag on keys: ELECTION OFFICERS/ 169778 On tag on keys: CUSTODIAN/ 169778
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