Objects under the microscope

The Burroughs self-recording adding machine in 1907 represented a quantum leap in data processing compared to the handwritten cash journals of the 19th century. A truly revolutionary technical invention found its way into the world of banks and savings institutions.

In a sense, with the Burroughs self-writing adding machine the forerunner of computing had been invented. It enabled many processes at the Erste österreichische Spar-Casse to be significantly accelerated and streamlined: semi-annual and annual financial statements, mortgage loan statements, cash journal entries, deposit and repayment journals and much more could suddenly be done almost „at the push of a button“.

In 1907, four Burroughs machines were in use at the Erste österreichische Spar-Casse. Technological progress did not stop at the other savings banks, either. For example, such devices were in use in Baden, Bolzano, Brno, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. Contemporary witnesses report that the Burroughs adding machine was in use in some savings banks until the 1950s – an incredibly durable technology when measured against today's innovation cycles.

The self-recording adding machine was invented by William Seward Burroughs at the end of the 19th century. He died in 1898. The Burroughs company and trademark remained in existence until 1986, when it merged with the Sperry Corporation under the new name Unisys. Among other achievements, the Burroughs Corporation developed mainframe computer architectures in the 1960s, which were also used in the banking sector.