Charles Weiss

On 31st of August, 1886, Charles W. Weiss of Brooklyn, New York, received a patent (USA patent No 348437) for an Electro Magnetic Adding Machine. Weiss acted as an assignor to the Kruse Check & Adding Machine Company in New York, a manufacturer of check machines, which was also interested in cash registers.

Besides the patent, we don't have any information about the a single-column adding machine of Weiss, and the only reason, it to be mentioned as a separate article in this site, is that the machine is first adding device with electromagnetic operation.

The single-column adding machine of Charles Weiss

The gear wheels are moved by means of an electromagnetic mechanism, powered by batteries. By pressing of a key, is closed particular contact and in this way is formed an electromagnet, which is rotating a lever, connected with the gear-wheels. The angle of rotation of the lever depends on the location of the contacts.