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Burridge and Marshman & the Typewriter: Complete History

Burridge and Marshman & the Typewriter: Complete History

Burridge and Marshman were initially known simply as typewriter inventors. However, together they invented an adding machine, adding and recording machine, and a cash register. Their best-known invention — the adding and recording machine — was designed to be able to record and print numbers when operated by a stylus. Read on to discover exactly how this adding and recording machine worked, and how Burridge and Marshman came to invent such revolutionary products.

Burridge and Marshman

John Ballou
Lee Burridge (left image) and Newman Marshman (right) were inventors of typewriters and adding machines.

Lee Burridge and Newman Marshman were inventive geniuses and manufacturers, primarily known as typewriter inventors. In early 1890s they devised and patented two adding machines (patent US513452 for Adding Machine from 1894 and US553331 for Adding and Recording Machine from 1896). Burridge and Marshman patented also a cash register in December, 1896 (US574302), and Burridge alone obtained also a patent for cash register in 1898 (US608509).

Let’s examine the second adding (and recording) machine of Lee Burridge and Newman Marshman, using the patent drawing (see the lower drawing).

The object of the invention is to provide a machine that will print and add figures by the operation of a stylus as exemplified in patents on typewriters granted to them in 1885 (patents 314996 and 315386), this invention being the outgrowth of that, and an adaptation of it modified to serve the purpose for which it is intended.

How It Worked

Lee Burridge and Newman Marshman patent drawing
The original patent drawing of Burridge and Marshman‘s adding and recording machine.

The operation consists in moving the stylus opposite to the desired numeral on the letter-plate and depressing it, which will cause that numeral to be printed on the platen 51, and the wheel 90 (and whatever wheel (31 it is in mesh with) to rotate that particular number of teeth. When the hand and stylus return, the carriage will take one step to the right, owing to the movement of the spring-clogs 76 with rack 75, and the next depression of stylus will cause a numeral of a higher numerical order to be printed and added.

When the desired number has been printed the arm 15 is drawn down, which will cause the carriage to be returned to the starting point, the spring 91 to be rewound, the paper to be advanced to a new line, and the arms 67 to be reset, it let off during the rotation of the adding-wheels 61.

After the death of Lee Burridge in 1915, he was granted another patent for an adding and recording machine in 1916 (US1198820).

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Burridge and Marshman invent?

Burridge and Marshman were initially known as typewriter inventors. However, they also invented several adding machines and cash registers.

Was Burridge granted a patent after his death?

Yes.  Burridge died in 1915 but was granted a patent for an adding and recording machine in 1916.

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