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Victor Model 780 Adding Machine

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Victor Adding Machine Company
Description
This ten-key printing manual adding machine has a black plastic top, green plastic keys, and a metal mechanism, handle, and base. The number keys are arranged in a block. To the left of these is a lever used to clear the place indicator. The place indicator is above the keyboard. Numbers with as many as eight digits may be entered. Back near the carriage are two levers. One, on the right, is marked “T” and set forward to obtain totals. It also is marked "S" (the S has faded) and held backward for subtotals. The other, on the left, is adjusted for repetitition ("R") or subtraction ("- (/) T"). The printing mechanism is between these levers, with the paper tape to the back. Results up to nine digits long may be printed. The handle on the right side has a wooden knob painted black. The cover is of black cloth. The serial number, marked on the side of the base, is 531973.
According to Edwin Darby, this model was introduced in 1938. According to Office Machines Research, Inc., it was introduced in 1940. The serial number suggests that this example was made in 1947.
References:
NOMDA’s Blue Book: Approximate January 1st Ages Adding Machines and Calculator Retail Prices, November, 1980, p. 57.
E. Darby, It All Adds Up: The Growth of Victor Comptometer Corporation, Victor Comptometer Corporation, 1968, pp. 77-90
Office Machines Research, Inc., section 3,21, February, 1940.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Walton G. Banks, Inc.
1940s
ID Number
1984.0682.01
maker number
531973
accession number
1984.0682
catalog number
1984.0682.01
Object Name
adding machine
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
cloth (overall material)
paper (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 18.5 cm x 22.5 cm x 34 cm; 7 9/32 in x 8 27/32 in x 13 3/8 in
place made
United States: Illinois, Chicago
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Adding Machines
Science & Mathematics
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Record ID
nmah_690108
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-1889-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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Victor Model 780 Adding Machine
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