Marchant Calculating Machine, 1921-1930

01

Artifact Overview

Mechanical adding machines were indispensable--and almost indestructible--office equipment used before the computer era. Marchant was the first American firm to specialize in calculators, which could perform at least the basic mathematical functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; an improvement over two-function adding machines. Founded in 1911, Marchant was absorbed by Smith-Corona Co. in 1958.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Calculator

Date Made

1921-1930

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

86.142.3

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic
Nickel (Metal)
Rubber (Material)
Steel (Alloy)

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in
Width: 13 in
Length: 17.5 in

Inscriptions

MARCHANT [sides] MANUFACTURED BY MARCHANT CALCULATING MACHINE CO. OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA U.S.A. PATENTED IN UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES / . . . / OTHER UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN PATENTS ISSUED AND PENDING [nameplate, back] WESTINGHOUSE AC MOTOR TYE CA / . . . [motor]